It is no secret that HaRav Chaim Kanievsky’s days are full. Each morning strangers young and old huddle through the narrow hallway for the chance to receive a bracha. Often simultaneously engrossed in a sefer, he blesses and guides those who come to him.
Some amongst the crowd are toting upsherin boys, ready to have a lock of hair cut. Others wait in solemn silence, seeking answers to the most complex shailos of our generation. Whether the visitor visits often or rarely, one thing is agreed upon by all: Each moment with the Rav is precious.
This makes it even more remarkable that one of Vaad HaRabbanim’s recurring donors will be flown to Israel to receive a bracha from Rav Kanievsky in person. The winner of the lottery will also meet with the revered Rav David Abuchatzera, and receive a handwritten Pitum HaKetores.
The Pitum HaKetores is detailed in seforim as a segulah for parnassah: “Reciting Pitum Haketores, written in Kesav Ashuris like a Sefer Torah,” wrote Rav Chaim Palagi zt”l, “ is a segulah to merit wealth, and he who does so will be successful in all his endeavors. Because the Ketores brings wealth, and it is guaranteed that this person’s parnassah will not cease, and he will always have a comfortable livelihood.”
The entire operation is due to efforts to bring in more recurring donors to the organization. Hundreds of needy families rely on help from Vaad HaRabbanim each month to cover the essentials. With recipients such as penniless kallahs, orphans, and sick people struggling to afford life-saving medications, the cases involved are urgent. Each month the rabbanim unite to save them from poverty and destitution. The need, however, tragically outweighs the response. The organization is in dire need of more monthly donors in order to turn fewer people away.
Rav Chaim also released the following powerful statement in support of recurring donors (translated from Hebrew): “Anyone who sets up a regular monthly donation to Vaad HaRabbanim thereby becomes a partner in all these great acts of tzedaka, and will merit an abundance of blessing and success and Siyata D’Shmaya in all areas.”
The close relationship between the gedolim of Israel and Vaad HaRabbanim is made clear each year, as many choshuve rabbanim are photographed giving tzedaka to a pushka bearing the organization’s symbol immediately after lighting the menorah.
This year during Chanukah a stellar group of gedolim will pray simultaneously for Vaad HaRabbanim donors, during a “Candlelighting Tefilas HaTzaddikim” event. Participants include Rav Chaim Kanievsky, the Belzer Rebbe, the Biale Rebbe, Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein, and more.
Kislev is a time for miracles. Those yearning for a miracle can rest assured that giving tzedaka brings abundant blessing into both the life of the receiver, and the life of the giver. With poor families in Israel suffering in poverty, and the leaders of klal yisroel ready to bless those who join in helping them, it is clear that this is a fantastic place to put maaser money, and more.
Those interested in joining the program and entering the lottery to meet with Rav Kanievsky & Rav Abuchatzera should call 1(877)-722-2646, or send a check to 221 Regent Drive, Lakewood NJ 08701 (TAX ID # 37-1456890). Donations are tax deductible.
