Yahrzeit R' Elimelech M'Lizhensk | הִילּוּלָא קַדִּישָׁא • כ"א אדר תשפ"ו • ר’ אלימלך מליז’ענסק זי”ע

Chasidim from all over the world prayed at the grave of Tzadik Elimelech. Pilgrims arrived in Lezajsk to commemorate the 239th anniversary of the tzadik’s death. The main celebrations took place on the night of Monday March 9th to Tuesday March 10th Hasidim come to Lezajsk mainly from Israel and European countries, as well as from the USA and Canada. Hasidic pilgrimages usually take place in rotation – some Jews leave Leżajsk after prayers, while others arrive. This must be done, among other things, with the limited number of accommodation places. Jews arriving in Leżajsk participate in night prayers in front of the tzadik’s tomb, the so-called ohel. They ask the tzaddik for healing, prosperity for their children and good luck in business, and write their wishes on slips of paper called kwitele. Prayers are accompanied by the singing of psalms. Before prayers, Hasidim wash themselves in a mikveh, or special bath. The prayers and all rituals last two or three hours. They are also attended by women who gather in a separate room especially for them, located in the Jewish cemetery. After the prayers are over, the pilgrims eat a kosher meal consisting of properly prepared beef, fis