Baal Shem Tov family tree
Encyclopedia
The following charts illustrate the family of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism
.
The first chart shows the Baal Shem Tov's close family: his closest relatives, by blood and by marriage. This is meant to clarify the various family relations mentioned in the Baal Shem Tov's biography.
The second chart shows his descendants to the fourth generation.
The Baal Shem Tov did not found a Hasidic dynasty proper, as his immediate successor was his student, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, and not any of his descendants. Even so, the descendants of the Baal Shem Tov were revered.
Eventually, some of them founded their own courts and dynasties. Notably, his grandson R. Baruch of Mezhbuzh
established his Hasidic court stressing that he was the sole heir of the Baal Shem Tov, a controversial issue in his time, which eventually distanced him from many of his colleagues, including R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi
and R. Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin
.
Other descendants became allied by marriage to other powerful Hasidic dynasties (e.g. Chernobyl
, Karlin-Stolin), producing many dynasties, including some of the dynasties still active today (e.g. Skver
, Vizhnitz
). Thus the family of the Baal Shem Tov can be considered a sort of Hasidic dynasty in its own right, and is often treated as such in reference works on Hasidic dynasties where it is sometimes referred to as the Mezhbuzh
dynasty. (This term is sometimes used specifically for the dynasty of R. Baruch of Mezhbuzh
, see Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)
, or for an unrelated dynasty from Mezhbuzh: see Apta (Hasidic dynasty).)
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
.
The first chart shows the Baal Shem Tov's close family: his closest relatives, by blood and by marriage. This is meant to clarify the various family relations mentioned in the Baal Shem Tov's biography.
The second chart shows his descendants to the fourth generation.
The Baal Shem Tov did not found a Hasidic dynasty proper, as his immediate successor was his student, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, and not any of his descendants. Even so, the descendants of the Baal Shem Tov were revered.
Eventually, some of them founded their own courts and dynasties. Notably, his grandson R. Baruch of Mezhbuzh
Boruch of Medzhybizh
Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh , was a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.Reb Boruch was the first major "rebbe" of the Hasidic movement to hold court in Mezhbizh in his grandfather's hometown and Beis Medrash, which he inherited.As recorded in the early Hasidic work...
established his Hasidic court stressing that he was the sole heir of the Baal Shem Tov, a controversial issue in his time, which eventually distanced him from many of his colleagues, including R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi
Shneur Zalman of Liadi
Shneur Zalman of Liadi , also known as the Baal HaTanya, , was an Orthodox Rabbi, and the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad, a branch of Hasidic Judaism, then based in Liadi, Imperial Russia...
and R. Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin
Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin
Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin, also Jacob Isaac of Lublin, or Y. Y. Horowitz , known as "The Chozeh of Lublin" , or simply as the "Chozeh", was a Hasidic rebbe from Poland....
.
Other descendants became allied by marriage to other powerful Hasidic dynasties (e.g. Chernobyl
Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)
Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a...
, Karlin-Stolin), producing many dynasties, including some of the dynasties still active today (e.g. Skver
Skver (Hasidic dynasty)
Skver is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twerski in the city of Skver . Followers of the rebbes of Skver are called Skverer hasidim....
, Vizhnitz
Vizhnitz (Hasidic dynasty)
Vizhnitz is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager. Vizhnitz is the Yiddish name of Vyzhnytsia, a village in present-day Ukraine.Followers of the rebbes of Vizhnitz are called Vizhnitzer chasidim....
). Thus the family of the Baal Shem Tov can be considered a sort of Hasidic dynasty in its own right, and is often treated as such in reference works on Hasidic dynasties where it is sometimes referred to as the Mezhbuzh
Medzhybizh
Medzhybizh, previously known as Mezhybozhe, population 1731, is a town in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast of western Ukraine. It is located in the Letychivsky Raion , 25 kilometres from the Khmelnytskyi on the main highway between Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia at the confluence of the Southern Buh and...
dynasty. (This term is sometimes used specifically for the dynasty of R. Baruch of Mezhbuzh
Boruch of Medzhybizh
Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh , was a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.Reb Boruch was the first major "rebbe" of the Hasidic movement to hold court in Mezhbizh in his grandfather's hometown and Beis Medrash, which he inherited.As recorded in the early Hasidic work...
, see Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)
Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)
Mezhbizh is the name of the town of Medzhybizh in the present Ukraine which is significant as both the source of a Hasidic dynasty that bears its name and as a symbolic name for the roots of Hasidism.The Mezhbizh dynasty served as the earliest "trunk" of...
, or for an unrelated dynasty from Mezhbuzh: see Apta (Hasidic dynasty).)
- R. is an abbreviation for the honorificHonorificAn honorific is a word or expression with connotations conveying esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term is used not quite correctly to refer to an honorary title...
"RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
". It does not necessarily indicate that the subject was a Rabbi. A rebbe is the spiritual leader of a Hasidic group or community.
Close family of the Baal Shem Tov
Descendants of the Baal Shem Tov
- R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov (18 Elul 5458 [25 August 1698] or – 6 Sivan 5520 [21 May 1760])
For more biographical details, see Baal Shem Tov
Married (i) ? (died without issue), (ii) Chana- R. Tsvi Hirsh of PinskPinskPinsk , a town in Belarus, in the Polesia region, traversed by the river Pripyat, at the confluence of the Strumen and Pina rivers. The region was known as the Marsh of Pinsk. It is a fertile agricultural center. It lies south-west of Minsk. The population is about 130,000...
(? – 7 Tevet 5540 [16 December 1779])
Married (i) ? (mother of R. Aharon, R. Dov Ber and Sheina Rachel), (ii) Beila (mother of R. Yisrael and Sara Reizel), daughter of R. Shmuel Chosid (i.e. the Pious) of Pinsk.
Tsvi Hirsh lived in Mezhibuzh during his father's lifetime, and some time after, until his first wife's death. According to some traditions, he succeeded his father as the leader of united Hasidic Judaism before stepping down in favor of R. Dov Ber of Mezeritch. Upon marrying Beila, he moved to Pinsk, where he was a rebbe to a small following.- R. Aharon of TitiovTetiivTetiiv is a city in Kiev Oblast of Ukraine. Population is 14,944 ....
(? – 15 Tevet c.1808/1818), called Reb Orale. Rebbe in KostantinStarokostiantynivStarokostiantyniv is a city in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast of western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Starokostiantynivsky Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast...
, Titiov and Pavilitsh. Oldest grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.- Sima Chusha
Married (i) R. Tsvi of KorstshovKorostyshivKorostyshiv is a city in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. Population is 26,068 ....
(grandson of R. Nochum of TshernoblMenachem Nachum TwerskyRabbi Menachem Nochum Twerski of Chernobyl was the founder of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty. He was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch, and published one of the first works of Hasidic thought...
), (ii) her cousin, R. Boruch of Mezhibuzh (see below)
Descendants: the Chernobyl branchAaron Twersky of ChernobylRabbi Aaron Twersky of Chernobyl succeeded his father Rabbi Mordechai Twersky as leader of the Chernobler chasidim. The family surname was originally spelled Twerski....
of the ChernobylChernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a...
dynasty, including the BelzBelz (Hasidic dynasty)Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz in Western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The town has existed since at least the 10th century, with the Jewish community being established during the 14th century. The town became home to Hasidic Judaism in the early 19th century...
(specifically R. Aharon of BelzAharon RokeachAharon Rokeach was the fourth Rebbe of the Belz Hasidic dynasty. He led the movement from 1926 until his death in 1957....
), ChortkovChortkov (Hasidic dynasty)Chortkov is a Hasidic dynasty that originated in Chortkov, present-day Ukraine. It had a large following before the Second World War, but most of its adherents perished in the Holocaust....
, Machnovka, SkverSkver (Hasidic dynasty)Skver is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twerski in the city of Skver . Followers of the rebbes of Skver are called Skverer hasidim....
, and VizhnitzVizhnitz (Hasidic dynasty)Vizhnitz is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Hager. Vizhnitz is the Yiddish name of Vyzhnytsia, a village in present-day Ukraine.Followers of the rebbes of Vizhnitz are called Vizhnitzer chasidim....
dynasties. - R. Tsvi Hirsh (Hershel) of Skver. Rebbe in Skver.
Descendants: the SkverSkver (Hasidic dynasty)Skver is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twerski in the city of Skver . Followers of the rebbes of Skver are called Skverer hasidim....
and ChernobylChernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a...
dynasties - R. Avraham of Skver
His father died when he was a child, and he was raised by his sister Sima Chusha.
Descendants: the SavranSavran (Hasidic dynasty)Savran is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Moshe Zvi Giterman. Savran is a town in present-day Ukraine.- Lineage :* Rebbe Moshe Zvi Giterman of Savran** Rebbe Shlomo Giterman of Savran – son of Rebbe Moshe Zvi...
dynasty - [R. Naftali]
- [?
married R. Yaakov]
- Sima Chusha
- R. Dov Ber of Ulanov. Rebbe in Ulanov.
- R. Tsvi Hirsh of TshudnovChudnivChudniv is a town in Chudniv Raion, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Chudniv Raion. The population was 6,257 ....
(? – c.1848). Rebbe in Tshudnov. - Sima
Married (i) ?, (ii) R. Tsvi Menachem Mendel Auerbach, rebbe of Dinovits, son of the rebbe R. Zusha of Anipoli
- R. Tsvi Hirsh of Tshudnov
- Sheina Rachel
Married R. Yaakov of KarlinKarlin (Pinsk)Karlin is the name of a suburb of the city of Pinsk, Belarus. It was originally founded as an independent town in 1690 and was named after the village's founder, Jan Karol Dolski. By 1695 Dolski had built a church and a fortified manor on the spot...
and Tiberias (? – 21 Kislev 5594 [3 December 1833]), called Reb Yankele Moneles. Son of R. Menachem Mon (Monele) of Karlin, a disciple of R. Dov Ber of Mezeritch and uncle (and foster-father) of R. Aharon "the Great" of Karlin
She took kvitelKvitelKvitel refers to a practice developed by Hasidic Judaism in which a Hasid writes a note with a petitionary prayer and gives it to a Rebbe in order to receive the latter's blessing...
ech in the manner of a rebbe.- R. Naftali Tsvi Hirsh of Karlin and Tiberias. Called Reb Hershel dem Baal Shems (R. Hershel, the Baal Shem [Tov]'s [descendant]). Spiritual and secular leader of the Hasidic community (in particular, the Karlin community) of Tiberias (? – 27 Elul 5624 [28 September 1864])
Married Sara Sosha, daughter of R. Yisrael, the rabbi and rebbe of Pikov, son of of R. Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev , also known as the Berdichever, was a rabbi and Hasidic leader. He was the rabbi of Ryczywół, Żelechów, Pinsk and Berdychiv, for which he is best known...
.
Descendants: the BostonBoston (Hasidic dynasty)Boston is a Hasidic sect, originally established in 1915 by Grand Rabbi Pinchas Duvid Horowitz. Following the custom of European Chassidic Courts, where the Rebbe was called after the name of his city, Bostoner Chassidus was named after Boston, Massachusetts...
dynasty
- R. Naftali Tsvi Hirsh of Karlin and Tiberias. Called Reb Hershel dem Baal Shems (R. Hershel, the Baal Shem [Tov]'s [descendant]). Spiritual and secular leader of the Hasidic community (in particular, the Karlin community) of Tiberias (? – 27 Elul 5624 [28 September 1864])
- R. Yisroel שותק Shotek i.e. "the Silent" of Chernobyl, a close associate of R. MordechaiMordechai TwerskyRabbi Mordechai Twersky, known as the Maggid of Chernobyl, was the son of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl and the second rebbe of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty...
of ChernobylChernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a...
.
Died in Yarovitsh near Homel and was buried there. - Sara Reizel
Married R. Moshe Shimon Volf Auerbach (? – 24 Tevet 5597 [1 January 1837]) of SafedSafedSafed , is a city in the Northern District of Israel. Located at an elevation of , Safed is the highest city in the Galilee and of Israel. Due to its high elevation, Safed experiences warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters...
, son of R. Avraham Dov Auerbach, rabbi of ChmielnikKhmilnykKhmilnyk is a resort town in Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine. The population is 27,900 .The town is situated in the upper part of the river Southern Buh, northeast of Vinnytsia. It is one of the oldest towns of Podillia.-Early history:...
, and grandson of R. Yaakov Yosef of PolnoeJacob Joseph of PolonneRabbi Jacob Joseph of Polonne, is also known as Yaakov Yosef HaKohain of Polnoye, was one of the first and most dedicated of the disciples of the founder of Chassidut, the Holy Baal Shem Tov....
, one of the most prominent disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. Died in the Galilee earthquake of 1837Galilee earthquake of 1837The Galilee earthquake of 1837, often called the Safed earthquake, was a devastating earthquake that shook the Galilee on January 1, 1837.-Impact:...
.- ?
Married R. Dov Ber of ChvastovFastivFastiv is a city located in the Kiev Oblast in central Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Fastivskyi Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast...
, great-grandson of R. Dov Ber of Mezeritch and grandson of R. Shlomo of Karlin. - Tsivya
Married R. Yehuda Arye, son of R. Menahem Mendel Tsauzmir the rabbi of MohlivMohyliv-PodilskyiMohyliv-Podilskyi is a city in the Mohyliv-Podilskyi Raion of the Vinnytsia Oblast , Ukraine. It is located at , on the border with Bessarabia, Moldova.-History:The first mention of the town dates from 1595...
. - R. Yisrael of LodezhinLadyzhynLadyzhyn is a city in Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine. Population is 22,219 ....
.
- ?
- R. Aharon of Titiov
- Odl (? – c. 1772 or c. 1787)
Married R. Yechiel of MedzhybizhMedzhybizhMedzhybizh, previously known as Mezhybozhe, population 1731, is a town in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast of western Ukraine. It is located in the Letychivsky Raion , 25 kilometres from the Khmelnytskyi on the main highway between Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia at the confluence of the Southern Buh and...
, son of R. Baruch.- R. Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov (c. 1748 – 17 Iyar 5560 [12 May 1800]). Rebbe of Sudilkov and Mezhibuzh.
see Moshe Chaim Ephraim of SudilkovMoshe Chaim Ephraim of SudilkovRabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov was born in Medzhybizh, Poland 1748 and died there on the 17th of Iyar in 1800. He was best known as the Baal Shem Tov's grandson and for the work Degel Machaneh Ephraim, first published in Korets, 1810.-His life:... - R. Baruch of Mezhibuzh (c. 1753 – 18 Kislev 5572 [4 December 1811]). Rebbe of Tultshin and Mezhibuzh.
see Boruch of MedzhybizhBoruch of MedzhybizhRabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh , was a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.Reb Boruch was the first major "rebbe" of the Hasidic movement to hold court in Mezhbizh in his grandfather's hometown and Beis Medrash, which he inherited.As recorded in the early Hasidic work...
Married (i) ? (daughter of R. Tovia Katskes of OstrohOstrohOstroh is a historic city located in Rivne Oblast of western Ukraine, located on the Horyn River. Ostroh is the administrative center of the Ostroh Raion and is itself designated as a special administrative subordination within the oblast...
), (ii) Sima Chusha, daughter of R. Aharon of Titiov, his cousin (see above). All his children are from his first marriage. - Feiga (? – before c. 1802)
Married R. Simcha (c. 1763 – before c. 1802), son of R. Nachman, rebbe of Horodenka, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.- R. Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810). Rebbe of BreslovBratslavBratslav |Breslov]] as the name of a Hasidic group, which originated from this town) is a townlet in Ukraine, located in the Nemyriv Raion of Vinnytsia Oblast, by the Southern Bug river. It is a medieval European city having dramatically lost its importance during 19th-20th centuries...
.
see Nachman of BreslovNachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov , also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover , Nachman from Uman , was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement....
Married (i) Sosia (mother of his children), (ii) ?, daughter of R. Yehezkel Trachtenberg of BrodyBrodyBrody is a city in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Brody Raion , and is located in the valley of the upper Styr River, approximately 90 kilometres northeast of the oblast capital, Lviv...
. - R. Yisrael der Toyter (or Hebrew: מת Met) i.e. "The Dead"
Married a granddaughter of R. Moshe of KitovKutyKuty is a town in Ukraine, on the Cheremosh river, located in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. It is notable as one of the historical centres and the namesake of a historical region of Pokuttya. Population is 4,272 ....
, an early disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. - R. Yechiel Tsvi (? – c. 1812)
- Perl
Married R. Pinhas Meir
They went to SafedSafedSafed , is a city in the Northern District of Israel. Located at an elevation of , Safed is the highest city in the Galilee and of Israel. Due to its high elevation, Safed experiences warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters...
.
- R. Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810). Rebbe of Breslov
- R. Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov (c. 1748 – 17 Iyar 5560 [12 May 1800]). Rebbe of Sudilkov and Mezhibuzh.
- R. Tsvi Hirsh of Pinsk