On Sunday of last week, Chasidut Breslov was struck with shock and deep sorrow with the announcement of the tragic passing, in the prime of his life, of the important young Avreich, Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Lebkovitz zt”l, descendent of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy”a.

Rabbeinu HaKodesh cautioned, “To honor and hold in great esteem his children, because they are very precious trees, and from them will grow good and very wondrous fruits.  He also said that he took his descendants from the world of Atzilut [the highest of the four supernal worlds].”  During the last two years, Chasidut Breslov became acquainted with the important Avreich Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Lebkovitz of Ger Chasidut, of whom it was known that he was a descendent of Rabbeinu HaKadosh through his grandfather, the Tzaddik Rabbi Shimshon Barsky zy”a.  Only at a certain stage in his youth, he found the “Likutey Etzot HaMevoar” of his grandfather, the great Rabbi Shimshon Barsky, and so began to draw close to the light of lights, Rabbeinu Nachman of Breslov. During Passover of 5783 (2023), after complaining of back pain, with great sorrow, the terrible illness was revealed, and the doctors told him that his days were limited.  In a past interview which he gave to the Hareidi press, he related that despite his medical condition, he decided to travel to Uman.  And indeed, against all medical predictions, he was granted additional life in the merit of his journey. Not many know that Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak was bound in heart and soul to Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a.  From the beginning of his drawing close to Breslov, he visited Moreinu HaRav shlit”a at every opportunity that he could, in order to receive strength and inspiration from the amazing Torah and chizzukim of the Tzaddik.  Also when he was hospitalized, he would speak a great deal with Moreinu HaRav shlit”a and requested his blessings for a complete recovery.  Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak would always say to those around him that the Rav shlit”a is an oxygen channel, and that in his merit, he merits to fight for his life and to overcome all the terrible suffering which he endured. Below is documentation from the last time that Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak visited Moreinu HaRav shlit”a before succumbing to his final illness on Sunday, 28 Av, when he was suddenly taken away to the chamber of Rabbeinu HaKodesh, at only the age of 22.

May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life