ויבא עד חברון (שלח יג:כב)

And he arrived at Chevron…

Rashi says that Kalev went to daven at the Kivrei Avos of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.

One year when Maran, Reb Yissocher Dov of Belz zt’’l, went to visit the tzion (the grave) on the day of the Yahrzeit of his holy grandfather, the Sar Shalom zt’l, Reb Yissocher Dov of Belz related a story to his chassidim.

“There was once a simple Yid who lived during the Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh zt’’l times and was extremely connected with the Baal Shem Tov.  The Yid didn’t have children and was always “mazkir” (mentioned his needs) to the Baal Shem Tov. 

After a few years, he was blessed with a son.  Three years passed, and his son became ill and died.  He hadn’t seen the Baal Shem Tov since his son was born, and without thinking twice, he traveled to Mezibuz with  lifeless child in hand.  When he arrived in Mezibuz, he heard that the Baal Shem Tov wasn’t alive anymore, so he went to the tzion of the Baal Shem Tov and place his lifeless child upon it, saying: “Heilige Rebbe! A live child I received in your merit, but this child isn’t alive anymore, and I don’t need such a present! Rebbe, I’m not taking him back dead!’ 

The Yid left the tzion, and after a short time, he heard his child crying, “Tatte, tatte!”  He ran back inside and joyfully embraced his child.  The child told his father that the Baal Shem Tov came and revived him, saying, “ שריי טאטע ווי לאנג דער טאטע איז נאך דא – Call out to your father as long that he’s still here!”

Maran concluded: “On the day of a tzaddik’s yahrzeit, his neshama is among us, and he hears what we request and takes our requests to shamayim to daven on our behalf.  We must take advantage as long as it’s day. “לאמיר שרייען טאטע ווי לאנג דער טאטע איז נאך דא!”

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