Blessed is the True Judge • The One Who Brought Joy to God and Man

From the tomb of Shimon HaTzaddik, the bitter news arrived this morning of the sudden histalkus (passing away) of Rabbi Shmuel Isaac Yagelnik zt"l (of blessed memory), one of the Shuvu Banim Breslov Chassidim, at only 48 years of age.

Rabbi Shmuel Isaac Yagelnik was born to his parents, the pious Rabbi Yehoshua Yagelnik zt"l (of blessed memory), one of the prominent Breslov Chassidim, and to his mother, may she live (tichye), who currently resides in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem. Reb Shmuel was one who brought joy to God and man; he was constantly on journeys to the graves of the tzaddikim (righteous ones) in Israel and Ukraine. He also served as a shadar (rabbinic emissary) in London for a period. His close associates relate that youths without a framework would gather around him, and he would take them to the graves of the tzaddikim in Israel and abroad, always bringing a smile to the face of every Jew, wherever they were.

Reb Shmuel left behind a blessed generation of upright descendants—sons, daughters, and sons-in-law. One of his sons-in-law is Rabbi David Lichtzon, may he be distinguished for a long life (yibadel lechaim tovim), one of the rabbis of Yeshivat Rashi. In recent years, Reb Shmuel suffered from diabetes. This morning, he arrived as was his custom to pray at sunrise (netz hachama) at the tomb of Shimon HaTzaddik in Jerusalem, may it be rebuilt and established speedily in our days (tubb"a). After the prayer, he felt unwell and asked to rest in his friend's car. After some time, he was found there without a pulse and unconscious. Despite the resuscitation efforts of the 'Ichud Hatzalah' volunteers who arrived at the scene, he was evacuated to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital, where it was determined that he passed away with a 'death by a kiss' (misas neshika - a peaceful death) in the place where he spent most of his days and years, alongside the graves of the tzaddikim—next to the tomb of Shimon HaTzaddik.

The funeral procession (ashkavta d'Rebbi) departed today from Shamgar and passed through HaChoma HaShlishit Street, beneath the home of our teacher, the Rav (Rabbi Berland) shlit"a (may he live long and good days), who delivered a eulogy for Reb Shmuel and recited Kaddish after him. Afterward, the funeral procession continued to the Mount of Olives, where he was interred.

May his soul be bound in the bond of life!

The funeral of Rabbi Yagelnik on HaChoma HaShlishit Street with the participation of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days):