Decree That Moshiach Must Come

When the Munkaczer Rav, Rav Chaim Elozor Shapira, came to Eretz Yisroel, he traveled to Yerushalayim especially to meet with the Saba Kadisha, Rav Alfandri. The Saba Kadisha was by then over one hundred and ten years old and, having left the chief rabbinate of Tzfas, was living in the holy city.

During the visit the Munkaczer spoke in Loshon Kodesh with a Sefardi accent so that the Saba Kadisha could understand him. He had been practicing, and he made a unique and wondrous request of the elder tzaddik.

He revealed that he had brought a holy secret letter, an igeres sesorim, which he had inherited from the holy Komarna Tzaddik, Rav Yaakov Moshe Safrin. It foretold that the way to bring the Geula closer depended on the decree of the Tzaddik HaDor. If the Tzaddik HaDor decreed that Moshiach must come, this would hasten the Geula. The Munkaczer held that Rav Alfandri was worthy and on the level of one who could make this decree, and he asked the Saba Kadisha to do so.

Rav Alfandri refused, saying in his humility, “I am not a Tzaddik.” This conversation took place eight days before the Saba Kadisha left this world, on the 22nd of Iyar.