Rav Klonimus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow zt"l
הרב קלונימוס קלמן בן אהרן אפשטיין זצ"ל
Tammuz 1 , 5583
Rav Klonimus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow zt"l
Rabbi Klonymos Kalman Halevi Epstein [Tammuz 1 5587], better known as the Maor Vashemesh ("Light and Sun"), the title of his mystical Torah commentary, was among the most celebrated of the followers of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. The Seer of Lublin said that R' Klonymos was the reincarnation of the Tana Rabbi Eliezer ben Charsom, who was a Kohen Gadol (high priest) during the Second Temple. In 1785 he started heading the Jewish community of Cracow.
http://www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=rebbeBios
Stories of Rav Klonimus Kalman HaLevi Epstein of Cracow zt"l
When Rav Kalonymus Kalman Epstein of Cracow, mechaber of Maor VoShemesh, was but a young child, Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev visited his town. The young boy hid beneath the Berditchever’s tallis as children do, to see what the Rebbe was doing as he prayed. The manner and conduct of the Tzaddik left such an impression on Rav Epstein, that from that point on a holy fire burned within him! When Rav Epstein grew up, he became a well-known talmid of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk. Reb Elimelech once met the Berditchever in Rav Epstein’s company. Reb Elimelech prided himself on having such an illustrious and holy person as one of his own students. The Berditchever took a good look at the mechaber of Maor VoShemesh. He then recognized on his face, that the Rav standing before him was that same boy from years ago. “No, no,” said the Berditchever to Rav Elimelech, “this is one of mine! When he was but a five-year-old and he hid under my tallis, the holiness and sanctity already left its mark until he reached his current level and stature.” (Avodas Levi, p. 98).
Three Stories From My Sefer, MiPeninei Noam Elimelech:
Rav Aharon of Cracow, the son of the mechaber of Maor VoShemesh, related the following story about a visit he made with his father to the Rebbe’s tziun:
“Once, my father and I traveled to the tziun in Lizhensk. Rav Kalonymus, the Maor VoShemesh, asked his family and followers to allow him to enter the building that housed the Rebbe Reb Elimelech’s grave alone; no one was allowed to enter while he was in there. Of course they consented, and he entered alone, while his followers and family, including Rav Aharon of Cracow, remained outside.
“Once he entered, he closed the door behind him from the inside. He stayed inside for a very long time. His family grew worried because they knew that his custom was not to tarry so long. They feared that something had happened to him. They broke down the door and entered and found Rav Kalonymus lying prostrate on the grave of Reb Elimelech. They attempted to revive him and after several strong attempts finally succeeded in doing so. When he regained consciousness, the Rebbe was agitated. ‘What have you done to me?!’ he exclaimed. ‘If you had allowed me to lie here just a few minutes longer I would have gone straight into Gan Eden together with the Rebbe [Reb Elimelech]!‘“
The following story was related in the name of the Shinover Rav: The mechaber of the Chassidic work Maor VoShemesh was a talmid of Reb Elimelech. One time he asked Reb Elimelech to be allowed to serve him so that he could thereby learn directly from his Rebbe. Reb Elimelech consented and asked him for a cup of tea. The talmid prepared the tea and brought it in to give it to the Rebbe. When he entered the room, he saw the awesome figure of an old man sitting beside Reb Elimelech. He was overcome with such fear and tremors that he dropped the cup, spilling the tea on the floor, and ran out. Later, Reb Elimelech saw his talmid and asked him why he hadn’t given him the tea he had requested. He had brought it, he answered, but when he saw the figure of the old man, he was so frightened he spilled the tea. “Oy vey iz das kind,” said the Rebbe, “vus ken nisht kiken dem tatten in punim arein.” (Woe to the child who cannot look his own father in the face!) “That old man you saw was none other than Avrohom Avinu!” (Eser Tzachtzochos 24; Ohel Elimelech 245)
It says in the sefer Maor VoShemesh (Ki Seitzei 22:12): “Every Jewish man whose fear of Heaven touches his heart, and who wishes to serve Hashem, should be as fierce as a lion upon awakening in the morning. His deposit has now been returned to him – that is, his soul – and thus he should not overindulge in sleep. Rather, he should stand up and serve Hashem in holiness, whether through learning Torah or singing songs of praise, pouring out his words like water from his heart before Hashem. So it could be observed of our master, teacher, and Rav, the holy Rebbe Reb Elimelech: as soon as he would awaken from his sleep, he would immediately cry out, ‘Woe to you! You have wasted time with your sleeping!’” (Ohel Elimelech 48; Eser Tzachtzochos 38).