25 Shevat – Reb Yisroel Salanter1 min read

25 Shevat is the yahrzeit of Reb Yisroel (ben Zev Wolf) Lipkin zy”a, better known as Reb Yisroel Salanter, the father of the Mussar movement. He passed away Erev Shabbos Mishpatim 5643/1883. It has been pointed out that the date of the tzaddik’s passing is no coincidence, as Mishpatim teaches the laws of dealing with peoplein a proper, upright manner. It has also been pointed out that the yarzeit will always fall out in the week of Mishpatim.

It is known that the difference between the gematriya of גוף and the gematriya of נשמה is מוסר, as these ethical teachings are intended to guide a physical person and teach him how to satiate the soul. The ultimate level is reached when every physical action is done for the sake of Hashem, the גוף and נשמה acting in tandem, as one. Interestingly, the gematriya of גוף נשמה is המשפטים. As mentioned above, Reb Yisroel Salanter’s passing was Erev Shabbos Mishpatim.

One teaching of Rav Yisroel Salanter that personally resonates deeply is that another person’s gashmiyus is my ruchniyus, an idea which may also be alluded to in the words גוף נשמה.

מוסר with its letter spelled out – מם וו סמך ריש – together with the value of 4 for the words is equal to ישראל בן זאב וואלף. 

ישראל בן זאב וואלף is equal to שים שלום – “establish peace,” as his ethical teachings foster peace between people.

רבי ישראל בן זאב וואלף is equal to 938, the gematriya of בשלום (with the value of ם). 

The date of his passing, כ“ה ב‘שבט תרמ“ג, is equal to רבי ישראל מסאלאנט ז“ל. 

Zechuso Yagein Aleinu!