Rabbi Yisroel Halpern, also known as Yisroel Karduner (? -1920) was a Breslev Rabbi that lived in Safed, Israel and served Hashem with intense devotion. He brought a number of people close to the Breslev Hasidic group including Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser. A number of Breslev books were reprinted by Rabbi Yisroel Karduner and he also composed a number of well known Breslov songs. He was held by many to be one of the thirty six hidden tzadikim.

Kever Rebbe Yisroel Karduner Tzion of Rebbe Yisroel Karduner by Kinneret Grave of Rebbe Yisroel Karduner Sideview of Kever Rebbe Karduner Front view of Kever Rabbi Karduner Hillulah of Rabbi Yisroel Karduner Rabbi Yisroel Karduner passed away on Tes Cheshvon. Each year on the day of the Hillulah many Na Nach's visit his Kever to celebrate the occasion and pray by the Tzion. Festivities are generally held in the nearby courtyard of Kever Rachel wife of Rabbi Akiva.;

His Youth Yisroel Halpern was born in Poland to Yehuda Laib Halavi a wealth merchant. Yisroel was very handsome and had a distinguished presence, he was very popular in his city where everyone coveted him as a future son-in-law. From his youth he took an active part in his fathers bushiness and eventually became its manager. Despite his material comfort, Yisroel Halpern felt very lacking and his heart always burned for fear of Hashem. He would enter his fathers warehouse and meditate in-between the barrels, calling out to Hashem from the depths of his soul that he should merit to become a righteous individual.;Intruduction to Breslev Once Yisroel Karduner found a Tikkun Klali in a pile of Shemos and from that point on was attracted to the teachings of Breslev. Yehudah Halpern became outraged at his son and went as far as disowning him.;Teacher of Yisroel Ber Odesser Write about sipor Hiskarvos of the Saba;The Broken Cloud Rabbi Odesser would often tell over the story of the 'Broken Cloud' to show an example of his masters devotion. One they were traveling when a severe storm broke out and the entire landscape turned into flood of mud and quicksand. Barley able to make it out alive, the two managed to find a village after hours of searching. One of the villager took them into his home and gave the tea, a change of cloths and a place to sleep. Yisroel Ber could not imagine that his teacher would wake up to do Chatzot that night. Yet when the time came, Rabbi Karduner roared up like a line and did the most powerful prayer that his student had ever witnessed. Yisroel Dov crept into the room and saw the entire table where his teacher sat shaking. When he saw the holy form on Rabbi Karduner's face, he sunk back in embarrassment.;Tzvi Aryeh Rosental Tzvi Aryeh Rosental had been a student of the Chofez Chaim before moving to Tiberias and was considered one of the young prestigious Torah scholars of the city. After being introduced to Rabbi Karduner by Yisroel Ber, Tzvi Aryeh decided to become Breslev. Not able to face the opposition that followed, Tzvi Aryeh set off by foot to study from the Breslevers of Jerusalem. Noticing his absences Tzvi Aryeh's worried family summoned the Turkish police who accused Rabbi Karduner and Yisroel Ber of kidnapping him and sending him to Uman. Yisroel Ber was arrested and tortured but the police were unable to arrest Rabbi Yisroel Karduner as long as he remained in his home, due to his Austrian citizenship. In the end Rabbi Karduner was saved by there wealthy men that were impressed by the devotion of his prayers.;His Death Original Tombstone of Rabbi KardunerWhen the British entered Tiberias to take control over from the Turks they brought the Cholera disease with them. This lethal plague spread around the city like wildfire, killing many of its inhabitants. Most of Rabbi Karduner's children passed away as the plague broke out. Eventually his remaining 12 year old son passed away as well. Rabbi Karduner took the tragedies with great faith. He then announced that he too would pass away and would take the plague with him. That Friday on the 9th of Cheshvan 5778 Rabbi Karduner passed away and the plague stopped.;His Greatness When R' Yisroel Karduner would pray at the Rashbi, he would stand on the side of the Tzion and pray with constantly increasing strength and devotion. Often when he was done the entire Tzion would be wet from tears as if someone had poured water on it.;