The Cave at Beis El

Together with Rav Osher Zelig Margolios, the Chazon Ish went one day to the Kosel and the Old City, and the two stopped at Yeshivas Beis El, the well-known yeshiva of the mekubalim. There the Chazon Ish sat and learned by heart in dveikus. On his way out he said, “It is a great zechus to visit such a holy beis medrash of the Rashash, where great and holy tzaddikim learned and davened with the secrets of Hashem. The secret of Hashem is for those who fear Him.”

A side room of the yeshiva has an opening with steps leading down to a broad courtyard, where a cavern lies. The tzaddikim used it for hisbodedus, with yichudim and kabbalistic prayers. The Chazon Ish walked into that room, descended the steps, entered the cavern and said, “This is truly a good place for hisbodedus.”

It is told that in this cavern the Rashash, the Chida and Rav Chaim DiLaRoza fasted for three days. They davened and performed yichudim, rolled in the snow, and tried to bring closer the end of days and the arrival of Moshiach. After the three days they heard a heavenly voice: “My sons, you are forbidden to hasten the end. I must separate you so that you do not remain together as a group. One of you must go into exile.”

The three tzaddikim cast lots, and the lot fell on the Chida. He sold what he owned and went to Livorno, Italy, where he spent the rest of his life.