Thousands Flock to Bulgaria for Rabbi Eliezer Papo's Memorial Pilgrimage

Thousands of pilgrims have been flocking to Silistra, Bulgaria, since Monday for the central memorial pilgrimage (Hilula) of Rabbi Eliezer Papo, author of the "Pele Yoetz." The event, held from the 24th to the 26th of Tishrei, continues through Thursday, with groups and individuals still traveling to the site to pray at the rabbi's tomb. Visitors immerse themselves in a ritual bath (mikveh) before praying, a practice linked to Rabbi Papo's dying wish that those who come to his grave in purity and pray with a broken heart will have their prayers answered. Stories of miracles and salvation attributed to the rabbi have drawn Jews from around the globe to Silistra, transforming the site into a year-round center for prayer and miracles.

One recently publicized story involves Eyal Greenbaum from Givat Shmuel, who was awaiting a second liver transplant at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital. During his treatment, he met another liver transplant recipient who shared his own miraculous story. This individual had received the call for his transplant while en route to Rabbi Papo's grave, traveling between Romania and Bulgaria. Despite a tight deadline to reach the hospital, a fellow traveler arranged a private jet, enabling a successful transplant. Greenbaum, deeply moved by this account, felt a strong pull to visit the rabbi's grave, a desire fulfilled during Sukkot this year when he, too, received a call for a liver transplant. He later learned that his transplant date coincided with the anniversary of Rabbi Papo's passing, and a significant detail emerged: the Hebrew letters of "Pele" (miracle) reversed spell "Eyal ben Leah Pasiya," the name of his mother.

The pilgrimage site has undergone extensive renovations, including a luxurious, heated mikveh and a guesthouse providing meals and refreshments. The current central pilgrimage is being held on an expanded scale after Sukkot to accommodate those who couldn't travel during the holiday. Silistra's location on the Bulgarian-Romanian border allows for convenient travel via direct flights to Varna or Bucharest, both about two hours away. On Tuesday, police closed roads leading to the tomb due to the large crowds, with prayers continuing to echo from the site.

Many visitors engage in daily study of "Pele Yoetz," finding its 200-year-old practical advice relevant to modern times. A new Torah scroll was recently installed in the "Heichal the dedicatee of new study hall" study hall, written in honor of the hostages held in Gaza. Former hostages Bar Kupferstein and Agam Berger attended a ceremony to express gratitude for their release, which they attribute to the rabbi's intercession. The Israeli consul in Bulgaria and local authorities have pledged support for the pilgrimage and security at the site. Plans are underway to construct a permanent, larger structure at the tomb, including a women's section and a larger library, to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.