Berditchev brings to mind the famed “Lover of Israel” – the Kedushas Levi – Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.

In 1929, the brutal Soviets planned to destroy the Jewish cemetery in Berditchev.

After years of harassment from the N.K.V.D. they knew the Communist beasts had but one thing on their minds.

Destroying the Kever of the defender of Israel – Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev in the then “new” Jewish cemetery.

Working secretly at night, they built a new Kever above the actual one.

But the actual Kever was buried far underground.

After the war, an ohel was built over the fake grave. People came to shed copious tears in front of Levi Yitzchak’s Kever beseeching his intervention on high.

A shaliach arrived – Rabbi Moshe Thaler – who began to revive the city of Berditchev.

Over time, the residents came to trust Rabbi Moshe Thaler who took care of their religious needs.

He fed them. Led services for them. Created a school for their children and most of all listened to their problems.

He also took care of the Berditchev cemeteries and the Ohel.

He decided to install heating in the floor of the Ohel and while they were installing the heating he accidentally discovered a burial chamber beneath.

He called a posek. Did he dare uncover the true resting place of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak?

The posek was emphatic. “Not only are you allowed to uncover the true kever, you are obligated to.”

Working diligently they began to dig.

And pretty soon, they had uncovered the actual graves of Levi Yitzchak and his sons.

Yes, it’s true.

Not only that, when Levi Yitzchak was buried he ordered that his Kever not be filled with words attesting to his greatness. It was just a simple stone.

Through patience and painstaking research, Rabbi Thaler was able to verify – with certainty – the actual grave of the Holy Kedushas Levi.