Rabbenu Yis-haq Luria Ashkenazi, more commonly referred to as the Ari z"l, passed away on the fifth of Ab. Many have the custom of reading a special Tiqqun every year on that night, which was written by the great Kabbalist, Rabbenu Hakham Yoseph Hayyim, 'a"h.

The Arizal was born in Jerusalem to Rabbi Shelomo Luria who was a very pious individual. It is said that Eliyahu Hannabi zl"t (Elijah the prophet) used to reveal himself to him. His mother was also extemely pious. When the Ari z"l was born, Eliyahu Hannabi appeared to his father and  instructed him not to perform the Milah (circumcision) till he sees him in the Synagogue. On the eighth day the father did not see Eliyahu HaNabi in the Synagogue and would not proceed. The congregation did not understand why there was a delay, but he would not be rushed.

Eliyahu HaNabi deliberately delayed coming, in order to see if the father would follow his instructions. When he finally arrived he instructed the father to sit on the chair with the child in his hands. Eliyahu HaNabi sat on the father and took the baby into his own hands. No one, not even the Mohel could see Eliyahu HaNabi, except the father.

When the Milah was completed, he returned he baby to the father and told him that a great light would shine forth from this child which would illuminate the whole world.

(See Tiqqun Hamisha BeAb of Rabbenu Hakham Yoseph Hayyim, 'a"h)

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