Day of Hilula
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
י״ג באדר ב
New York, United States
In Jewish tradition, the day of a tzadik's passing — the 'Hilula' — is not a day of mourning, but a day of spiritual elevation and awakening. According to the teachings of Kabbalah, on this day the soul of the tzadik ascends to a higher realm, and their light and merits shine upon the world. Many Jews mark the day through Torah study, reciting Tehillim, lighting a memorial candle, and good deeds for the elevation of the soul — to connect with the tzadik's path and qualities.
His Life and Legacy
Rabbi Feinstein's legacy is evident throughout the Torah world. His work "Igrot Moshe" has become a foundational work in contemporary halakhic adjudication, and his rulings are studied and cited throughout the Jewish world. His two sons, Rabbi Dovid and Rabbi Reuven, continued his path in leading Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem. His figure stands as a symbol of Torah greatness, humility, and devotion to halakha, and his influence is felt in the yeshiva world and in halakhic adjudication to this day.
"Every Jew, in every place and every circumstance, can fulfill the will of the Almighty — there is no situation that can prevent this."