From then on, Reb Eliezer Lipman and his wife would fastidiously provide candles to the shul. The couple increased their focus on prayer, reciting each tefillah word by word. Their prayers were riddled with tears spilled over their request that the Almighty open the hearts of their children to Torah. Everyone knows how richly these prayers were answered.
The family consisted of four boys and one girl: Nosson, the av beis din of Stutson; Zusha of Anapoli; Elimelech of Lizhensk; Avraham, a doctor in the Prussian Army; and Elka, who later married into a rabbinic family in Tiktin.
Elimelech devoted his formative years to learning Torah, without any connection to the chassidic world. He did, however, conform his behavior to the ascetics who were disciples of the Arizal. It was customary among this group to engage in self-flagellation and mortification in order to perfect their religious worship.
(To be continued)
Chodesh tov – have a pleasant month!
Those interested in screening Rabbi Teller’s acclaimed documentary, “Reb Elimelech and the Chassidic Legacy of Brotherhood,” should contact [email protected].