Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Pinchos 5762
In order to prevent michsholim and debasement, we
have been asked by the gedolei Yisroel shlita, to
publicize these letters concerning organized tours to
Lithuania and other sites outside of the Land of Israel
under the guise of pilgrimages to gravesites of our great
rabbis.
We have heard rumors that have brought anger to our souls'
very being. Chazal said that whatever is holier its fellow is
more destroyed than its fellow. Last year, a trip abroad was
organized for some of the greatest Torah scholars and leaders
of our generation for the purpose of preserving the graves of
the great leaders of the last generation. Their aim was also
to pour out their hearts in prayer on hallowed land [of the
graves of these past Torah giants] for the salvation of the
Jewish people. The goal was also one of kiruv rechokim
to Judaism by means of the holy presence of so many great
people. (There was also a true manifestation of wondrous
Hashgocho protis in these goals at the time.)
Now, some unscrupulous profit-seekers are organizing tours to
Vilna and related sites with a mixture of men and women in
the guise of frumkeit. Let it be known to all that
anyone joining such groups will be changing the burial sites
of the Vilna Gaon zt"l and others from holy gravesites
to graves of licentiousness, chas vecholiloh, and such
an event must never happen to the Jewish people.
Let this call be accepted by each individual, who will be
blessed by a double brochoh from Shomayim,
[this letter is written by] one who agonizes over the current
lowly state of our people and hopes to see the salvation of
Hashem in saving the holy resting places of our great
departed Torah leaders, may their merits protect us, Amen!
(signed) Yisroel Eliyahu Weintraub
Bnei Brak
I would like to affirm the above call and warning of the
above gaon, shlita.
We have come to decry those motivated by the pursuit of
profit at the expense of an inevitable desecration of
Hashem's Name and profanation of our great niftarim in
their holy resting places. These tours do not contain even
the slightest trace of being for the sake of Heaven. They
are tours of hefkeirus. We would like to warn those
concerned not to subject themselves to severe punishment,
chas vecholiloh, and to change their bad intentions
[to participate in such tours] because of the dire punishment
sure to result.
I am also begging for compassion for those who have no idea
of the seriousness of what they are doing, in the hope that
they will hear the message, rectify themselves and change
their minds.
Michel Yehudah Lefkovitz
