Biala (Hasidic dynasty)
Encyclopedia
The Biala Hasidic
dynasty originated from Poland
. The Rebbes of Biala are descended from Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Rabinowicz, known as the Yid Hakodosh ("The Holy Jew").
, a disciple of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin
(the Seer of Lublin). The Seer was a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk
, who was a disciple of Rabbi Dovber of Mezeritch
(the Maggid of Mezritch), the leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism
.
, died as a young man. The Hasidim, bereft of their rebbe, mostly became followers of their late rebbe's brother, the Mezritsher Rebbe. It was he who educated his young nephew Yechiel Yehoshua in the ways of Torah and Hasidus.
In 1924 the surviving Shedlitser Hasidim accepted Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua as their rebbe. In time his name spread over Poland
and the numbers of his Hasidim grew.
With the outbreak of World War II
, the Germans overran Poland
. Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua managed to escape to the Russian-controlled zone, from which he was exiled to Siberia
. Jews who survived the Siberian work camps testified that the Rebbe was the one who kept their spirit alive.
In 1947 he was able to emigrate to Mandatory Palestine and settled in Tel Aviv
. He was in the forefront of activity to maintain adherence to traditional Judaism amongst the masses. He was one of the founders of the Chinuch Atzmai
educational network, and he served on the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
.
He died on the 21st of Shvat 1982 and was buried in the Polish admorim section on the Mount of Olives
.
in the Har Nof section of Jerusalem. http://www.yarzheit.com/FRY/10FRY_Teves.htm He was succeeded by his sons.
Following the death of Yerachmiel Tzvi, one of his sons, Rabbi M. Rabinowicz, became Biala-Prshiskhe Rav of Har Nof.
His eldest son, Rabbi Elimelech Rabinowicz, became the Biala Prshiskhe Rebbe of Haifa
.
One of his sons is Rabbi Simchah Ben Zion Isaac Rabinowicz, the author of Piskei Tshuvos, a popular commentary on the Jewish legal classic Mishneh Brurah.
Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu of Biala had two daughters from his first wife, the daughter of Rabbi Shedrowitzsky, who died at a young age, and five sons from his second wife, the daughter of Rabbi Berkowitz, who survives him and presently resides in Bnei Brak. One of his sons-in-law and four of his sons succeeded him as Rebbe.
on January 30, 1935 - 26th Shevat 5695. He is the youngest son of Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua of Biala. During the Nazi
invasion of Poland in 1939, his father who was not yet the Rebbe, was caught whilst trying to escape to his brother in London and was sent to Siberia
by the Russians. The young Ben-zion and his sister escaped with many other children across Europe eastwards into Russia and then down into Iran
(Persia).
They were eventually brought to the Holy Land by Zionists, who were saving Jewish children from starvation and disease in Iran, and bringing them to the Holy Land. The Ponevezher Rov — Rabbi Yosef Kahaneman — heard that there were some special children in this group from Poland, descended from famous Rebbes. He removed the young Rebbe-to-be and his sister from the care of the secular Zionists. After the war their father made it to Palestine and was reunited with his children. Rabbi Ben Zion married Rebetzin Beila Brocho Babad, daughter of Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Babad, ABD Sunderland
. He learned in the Ponevezh yeshiva
in Bnei Brak, and in the Gateshead Kolel
in England
.
He became Rabbi of Lugano
, Switzerland
, in 1980. He became Rebbe in 1981 upon the passing of his father, as did his brothers. His first wife died in 1995, and in 1998 the Rebbe remarried the widow Rebbetzin Steinwurtzel, the mother-in-law of the present Karlin-Stolin Rebbe. In addition to his position as the Rabbi of Lugano
, Switzerland
, the Rebbe also spends much time in Jerusalem and Safed
in Israel, where he has synagogue
s.
In Safed the Rebbe began a congregation in the old Kosover Synagogue. He does a lot of work helping to teach unaffiliated Jews learn about their Jewish heritage.
The Rebbe Shlita is the author of an extensive body of Torah literature, including both Hasidic discourses and Talmud
ic commentaries, of which over thirty volumes have been published in Hebrew. These include the Rebbe's own works, Mevaser Tov, as well as compete seforim and maamarim that appear in the numerous works of published literature from the entire house of Biala. Techias HaMeisim is the third book by the Rebbe to have been translated into English, alongside The Merit of the Righteous Women and The Reward of the Righteous Women.http://www.yarzheit.com/heavensregister/bialarebbe.htm
He found the lost tomb of Grand Rabbi Nathan David Rabinowitz of Shidlovtze and commissioned the building of a new ohel which now marks the grave.
The Rebbe is known for his generosity, kindness and love for peace and humanity. By looking at every Jew with an open and accepting heart, he has been able to touch the lives of thousands of Jews. Countless people, ranging from simple beggars to high-ranking Army and government officials, visit the Rebbe on a daily basis in his headquarters in Jerusalem to seek his guidance and blessings.
The Rebbe runs a very active yeshiva, where students come to learn at all hours of the day and night about Judaism, Torah, Israel, and much more. Through the yeshiva, the Rebbe supports over 100 families with food, Jewish education, emotional support, guidance, and counseling. The yeshiva also serves as a full service synagogue with daily prayers, Shabbat and holiday services.
The Rebbe has been often called “the miracle worker” because of his gift of successful spiritual advice, blessings, and the high level of prayer he provides for everybody who comes to see him. The Rebbe sees the essence of every Jew with purity and love. He emphasizes kindness, warmth, and goodness towards one another as the essence of Judaism and Torah.
There are countless stories of the Rebbe making miracles for those who have come to see him. Having defied all medical and scientific odds, sick people who were told by their surgeons and physicians that they had no chance of living were miraculously cured after seeing the Rebbe and taking his advice. People seeking blessings in business and ‘parnasa’ have seen wondrous changes in their financial success after seeking and following the Rebbe’s guidance. Couples having troubles in their relationships and singles seeking their soul-mates have been blessed with peaceful and fruitful homes for them and their families. Barren and infertile women have been granted children as a result of the Rebbe’s prayers. And those seeking spiritual guidance and Torah knowledge have reached the peaks of holiness thanks to the Rebbe’s teachings.
The Rebbe’s life is dedicated to the service of the Jewish people. He lives a very humble life with his wife and children in a small apartment in Jerusalem and uses all the funds he raises to support his community. Many people only have food and a bed to sleep in as a result of the Rebbe’s fund raising activities.
, NY. He was appointed by his father to be the Biala Rebbe in America after his father's passing. He also has two synagogues in Israel, in Beitar and in Jerusalem, and he spends much time there.
He has published a biography of his father and grandfather in Yiddish entitled Der Heyliger Rebbi fun Biala: Tiferes Avos. He has also re-published several books from the Biala dynasty: Sefer Divrei Binah and Yishrei Lev by the first Bialer Rebbe, with indexes and, recently, an English-Hebrew edition of Sefer Seder HaYom by his grandfather, the Chelkas Yehoshua.
The Bialer Rebbe of America has a website.
A translation of Seder HaYom into English has recently been published by the Biala Rebbe of America. The version of the prayer-book used by Biala Hasidim is called Siddur Chelkas Yehoshua.
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...
dynasty originated from Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. The Rebbes of Biala are descended from Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Rabinowicz, known as the Yid Hakodosh ("The Holy Jew").
Lineage
The Biala dynasty is part of the Prshiskhe dynasty whose first rebbe was Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok (the Holy Jew) of PrshiskhePrzysucha
Przysucha is a town in Poland. Located in the Masovian Voivodeship, about 100 km southwest of Warsaw, it is the capital of Przysucha County. It has 6,762 inhabitants . Its name in Yiddish is פשיסחא or פשיסכא . It was home to a number of prominent Hasidic Rabbis, such as The Holy Jew and...
, a disciple of Rabbi 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....
(the Seer of Lublin). The Seer was a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk
Elimelech of Lizhensk
Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk , a Rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement, was known after his hometown, Leżajsk near Rzeszów in Poland...
, who was a disciple of Rabbi Dovber of Mezeritch
Dovber of Mezeritch
Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch was a disciple of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism, and was chosen as his successor to lead the early movement...
(the Maggid of Mezritch), the leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism
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...
.
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak RabinowiczYaakov Yitzchak RabinowiczYaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz , also known as the Yid Hakodesh , was the founder of the Peshischa sect of Hasidism in Przysucha, Poland, which was "an elitist, rationalistic Hasidism that centered on Talmudic study and formed a counterpoint to the miracle-centered Hasidism of...
of PrshiskhePrzysuchaPrzysucha is a town in Poland. Located in the Masovian Voivodeship, about 100 km southwest of Warsaw, it is the capital of Przysucha County. It has 6,762 inhabitants . Its name in Yiddish is פשיסחא or פשיסכא . It was home to a number of prominent Hasidic Rabbis, such as The Holy Jew and...
, the "Holy Jew" (1766–1813), disciple of Rebbe Dovid of Lelów and the Seer of Lublin.- Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowicz of Prshiskhe (died 1831), son of the Holy Jew.
- Grand Rabbi Noson Dovid Rabinowicz of Shidlovtza (d. 7 Marcheshvan 1865), son of Rebbe Yerachmiel Tsvi
- Grand Rabbi Yitzchok Yaakov Rabinowicz of Biala the author of Divrei Binah (d. 1905), youngest son of Rebbe Noson Dovid, son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua of Ostrova, author of Toldos Odom.
- Grand Rabbi Noson Dovid Rabinowicz of ParczewParczewParczew is a town in eastern Poland, with a population of 10,281 . Situated in the Lublin Voivodeship , previously in Biała Podlaska Voivodeship . It is the capital of Parczew County.-History:...
(1866–1930), son of the Divrei Binah- Grand Rabbi Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel RabinowiczBaruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel RabinowiczGrand Rabbi Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel Rabinovich, , was born into a distinguished chassidic dynasty, and succeeded to the title Munkacser Rebbe.- Early years :...
(1913–1999), Rebbe of Munkacs- Grand Rabbi Moshe Leib RabinovichMoshe Leib RabinovichMoshe Leib Rabinovich is the current rebbe of Munkacs.Rabinovich was born as the third child to his parents Rabbi Baruch and Frima Rabinovich in Munkacs, Carpathian Ruthenia, Ukraine, the country itself having at the time just been created with a sizable piece of Hungary, which in turn received...
(born 1940), current Rebbe of Munkacs (Boro Park, NY) - Grand Rabbi Yizchok Yakov Rabinovich (born 1942), current Rebbe of Dinov (Williamsburg, NY)
- Rabbi Chaim Elazar Rabinovich (born ??), Dinover Dayan (Williamsburg, NY)
- Grand Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Shapira (??-??), Rebbe of Drohobitz and son-in-law of Noson Dovid Rabinowicz
- Rabbi Avraham Glasner (??-??), son-in-law of Avraham Yaakov Shapira, lived in Jerusalem
- Reb Moshe Shmuel Glasner (born ~1943), son-in-law of Avraham Glasner, lives in Jerusalem and State College, Pennsylvania, Great-grandson of Moshe Shmuel GlasnerMoshe Shmuel GlasnerRabbi Moshe Shmuel Glasner , a prominent Hungarian Talmudic scholar and communal leader, served as chief rabbi of Klausenburg from 1877 to 1923. In 1923 he left Klausenburg for Jerusalem where he resided until his death in 1924...
of Klausenberg (the Dor Revi'i)
- Reb Moshe Shmuel Glasner (born ~1943), son-in-law of Avraham Glasner, lives in Jerusalem and State College, Pennsylvania, Great-grandson of Moshe Shmuel Glasner
- Rabbi Avraham Glasner (??-??), son-in-law of Avraham Yaakov Shapira, lived in Jerusalem
- Grand Rabbi Moshe Leib Rabinovich
- Grand Rabbi Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel Rabinowicz
- Grand Rabbi Meir Shlomo Yehudo Rabinowicz of MezritshMiedzyrzec PodlaskiMiędzyrzec Podlaski is a city in Biała Podlaska County, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, with the population of 17,162 inhabitants as of 2006. The total area of the city is 20.03 km2...
(1868–1942), son of the Divrei Binah - Grand Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Heshl Rabinowicz of ChelmChelmChełm is a city in eastern Poland with 67,702 inhabitants . It is located to the south-east of Lublin, north of Zamość and south of Biała Podlaska, some 25 kilometres from the border with Ukraine...
and LublinLublinLublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
(1875–1932), author of Yeshuos Avrohom, son of the Divrei Binah - Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowicz of Biala-Shedlitz (1878- 7 Marcheshvan 1906), son of the Divrei Binah
- Grand Rabbi Nosson Dovid Rabinowicz (1899–1947) Biala Rebbe of London, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel
- Rabbi Dr. Tzvi (Harry) Rabinowicz, (did not become Rebbe, although authored several books in English on Hasidism) son of Rabbi Nosson Dovid
- Grand Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowicz Biala Rebbe of Jerusalem (1900–1981), author of Chelkas Yehoshua and Seder HaYom.
- Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehudah Rabinowicz (1923–2003) Biala-Prshiskhe Rebbe of Har Nof, Jerusalem, eldest son of Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua.
- Grand Rabbi Elimelech Rabinowicz, Biala Prshiskhe Rebbe of Haifa, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi
- Rabbi Simchah Ben Zion Yitzchok Rabinowicz, of Ramat Shlomo, author of Piskei Tshuvos, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi
- Grand Rabbi Baruch Leib Rabinowitz Prshiskhe Rebbe of London, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi
- Grand Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Menachem Mendel Rabinowicz, Biala-Prshiskhe Rebbe of Bnei Brak, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi
- Grand Rabbi Pinchas Rabinowicz, Prshiskhe Rebbe of Sanhedria section of Jerusalem, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi
- Grand Rabbi Rabinowicz, Prshiskhe Rebbe of Bnei Brak
- Rabbi M. Rabinowicz, Biala-Prshiskhe Rav of Har Nof, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi
- Grand Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu (Reb "Duv'tche") Rabinowicz (1928–1997), author of Lehavas Dovid, Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak, son of Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua.
- Grand Rabbi Wolf Kornreich, Shidlovtze Rebbe of Jerusalem, son-in-law of Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu
- Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowicz, Biala Rav of Bnei Brak, son of Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Menachem Rabinowicz, Present Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak, son of Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu
- Grand Rabbi Avrohom Rabinowicz, the Biala-Ostrover Rebbe in Jerusalem, son of Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu
- Grand Rabbi Yermiah Rabinowicz, Biala-Lentshner Rebbe of Beit Shemesh son of Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu
- Grand Rabbi Aharon Shlomo Chaim Eleazar Rabinowicz, Biala Rebbe of America, in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, NY, son of Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Rabinowicz, (d. 2010) the previous Biala Rebbe of Ramat Aharon, son of Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua.
- Grand Rabbi Tzvi Rabinowicz, the present Biala Rebbe of Ramat Aharon, son of Rebbe Yaakov Yitzchok
- Rabbi Baruch Rabinowicz son of Rebbe Yaakov Yitzchok
- Grand Rabbi Betzalel Simchah Menachem Ben-Zion Rabinowicz, author of Mevaser Tov, the present Biala Rebbe of Jerusalem and Lugano, Switzerland; and the Chief Rabbi of Lugano, Switzerland, son of Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua.
- Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehudah Rabinowicz (1923–2003) Biala-Prshiskhe Rebbe of Har Nof, Jerusalem, eldest son of Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua.
- Grand Rabbi Nosson Dovid Rabinowicz (1899–1947) Biala Rebbe of London, son of Rabbi Yerachmiel
- Grand Rabbi Noson Dovid Rabinowicz of Parczew
- Grand Rabbi Yitzchok Yaakov Rabinowicz of Biala the author of Divrei Binah (d. 1905), youngest son of Rebbe Noson Dovid, son-in-law of Rebbe Yehoshua of Ostrova, author of Toldos Odom.
- Grand Rabbi Noson Dovid Rabinowicz of Shidlovtza (d. 7 Marcheshvan 1865), son of Rebbe Yerachmiel Tsvi
- Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowicz of Prshiskhe (died 1831), son of the Holy Jew.
Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowicz, the Chelkas Yehoshua
Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua was but six years old when his father, the Rebbe of SiedlceSiedlce
Siedlce ) is a city in eastern Poland with 77,392 inhabitants . Situated in the Masovian Voivodeship , previously the city was the capital of a separate Siedlce Voivodeship ....
, died as a young man. The Hasidim, bereft of their rebbe, mostly became followers of their late rebbe's brother, the Mezritsher Rebbe. It was he who educated his young nephew Yechiel Yehoshua in the ways of Torah and Hasidus.
In 1924 the surviving Shedlitser Hasidim accepted Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua as their rebbe. In time his name spread over Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and the numbers of his Hasidim grew.
With the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Germans overran Poland
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
. Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua managed to escape to the Russian-controlled zone, from which he was exiled to Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. Jews who survived the Siberian work camps testified that the Rebbe was the one who kept their spirit alive.
In 1947 he was able to emigrate to Mandatory Palestine and settled in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
. He was in the forefront of activity to maintain adherence to traditional Judaism amongst the masses. He was one of the founders of the Chinuch Atzmai
Chinuch Atzmai
Chinuch Atzmai was founded in 1953 by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah to serve as an alternate school system for Orthodox children in Israel. It was initially led by Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin....
educational network, and he served on the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah refers to the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of any of several related Haredi Jewish organizations....
.
He died on the 21st of Shvat 1982 and was buried in the Polish admorim section on the Mount of Olives
Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge in East Jerusalem with three peaks running from north to south. The highest, at-Tur, rises to 818 meters . It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes...
.
Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehudah Rabinowicz of Biala-Peshischa
Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehudah Rabinowicz was known as the Biala-Peshischa Rebbe (1923–2003). Born in 1923, he was the first-born son of the previous Biala Rebbe, known as the Chelkas Yehoshua. He became Rebbe after his father died in 1982 and opened his yeshivaYeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
in the Har Nof section of Jerusalem. http://www.yarzheit.com/FRY/10FRY_Teves.htm He was succeeded by his sons.
Following the death of Yerachmiel Tzvi, one of his sons, Rabbi M. Rabinowicz, became Biala-Prshiskhe Rav of Har Nof.
His eldest son, Rabbi Elimelech Rabinowicz, became the Biala Prshiskhe Rebbe of Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
.
One of his sons is Rabbi Simchah Ben Zion Isaac Rabinowicz, the author of Piskei Tshuvos, a popular commentary on the Jewish legal classic Mishneh Brurah.
Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu Rabinowicz of BialA - Bnei Brak
Rabbi David Matisyahu Rabinowicz was Biala Rebbe in Bnei Brak, Israel. He authored Lehavas Dovid. He was well known for his warm prayers and his self-sacrifice for serving God. He travelled around the world to spread Hassidic teachings. He was commissioned by his father to open yeshivos around the Holy Land. His father called him "nekudas libi", the "focus of my heart". He died in 1997.Rabbi Dovid Matisyahu of Biala had two daughters from his first wife, the daughter of Rabbi Shedrowitzsky, who died at a young age, and five sons from his second wife, the daughter of Rabbi Berkowitz, who survives him and presently resides in Bnei Brak. One of his sons-in-law and four of his sons succeeded him as Rebbe.
-
- His oldest daughter (RebbetzinRebbetzinRebbitzin or Rabbanit is the title used for the wife of a rabbi, typically from the Orthodox, or Haredi, and Hasidic Jewish groups...
Devorah) married Rabbi Yehudah Zev Wolf Kornreich, presently the Shidlovtza Rebbe of Jerusalem. - His second daughter (Rebbetzin Chavah) married Rabbi Yaakov Hager, son of the SeretSeretSeret may refer to:* Seret River* Seret River * Seret...
ViznitzVizhnitz (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....
RebbeRebbeRebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
of HaifaHaifaHaifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
. - Rabbi David Matisyahu's oldest son, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowicz, Biala Rav of Bnei Brak.
- His second son is Rabbi Yaakov Menachem Rabinowicz, the Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak. (He is the son-in-law of the late Kretshnifer Rebbe of JerusalemKretshnif (Hasidic dynasty)Kretshnif is a Hasidic Jewish dynasty that comes from the Nadvorna dynasty....
.) - His third son is Rabbi Avraham Rabinowicz, the Biala-Ostrover Rebbe of Jerusalem.
- His fourth son is Rabbi Yermiah Rabinowicz, the Biala-Lentshne Rebbe of Beth Shemesh.
- His fifth son is Rabbi Aaron Shlomo Chaim Eleazar Rabinowicz, the Biala Rebbe of America.
- His oldest daughter (Rebbetzin
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz of Biala-Ramat Aharon
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz, was the son of Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowicz of Biala. He was the Biala Rebbe of the Ramat Aharon section of Bnei Brak, Israel. He passed away in 2010 and was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Tzvi Rabinowicz, the present Biala Rebbe of Ramat Aharon.Rabbi Ben Zion Rabinowicz of Biala
Rabbi Ben-Zion Rabinowicz of Biala was born in PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
on January 30, 1935 - 26th Shevat 5695. He is the youngest son of Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua of Biala. During the Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
invasion of Poland in 1939, his father who was not yet the Rebbe, was caught whilst trying to escape to his brother in London and was sent to Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
by the Russians. The young Ben-zion and his sister escaped with many other children across Europe eastwards into Russia and then down into Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
(Persia).
They were eventually brought to the Holy Land by Zionists, who were saving Jewish children from starvation and disease in Iran, and bringing them to the Holy Land. The Ponevezher Rov — Rabbi Yosef Kahaneman — heard that there were some special children in this group from Poland, descended from famous Rebbes. He removed the young Rebbe-to-be and his sister from the care of the secular Zionists. After the war their father made it to Palestine and was reunited with his children. Rabbi Ben Zion married Rebetzin Beila Brocho Babad, daughter of Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Babad, ABD Sunderland
City of Sunderland
The City of Sunderland is a local government district of Tyne and Wear, in North East England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough...
. He learned in the Ponevezh yeshiva
Ponevezh yeshiva
Ponevezh Yeshiva, often pronounced Ponevitch Yeshiva, is a world renowned yeshiva located in Bnei Brak, Israel. Donated by Henry Krausher, it was originally established in the town of Panevėžys, Lithuania...
in Bnei Brak, and in the Gateshead Kolel
Gateshead Talmudical College
Gateshead Talmudical College , popularly known as Gateshead Yeshiva, is located in the town of Gateshead in England. It is the largest yeshiva in Europe and considered to be one of the most prestigious advanced yeshivas in the Orthodox world. The student body currently numbers 350...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
He became Rabbi of Lugano
Lugano
Lugano is a city of inhabitants in the city proper and a total of over 145,000 people in the agglomeration/city region, in the south of Switzerland, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, which borders Italy...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, in 1980. He became Rebbe in 1981 upon the passing of his father, as did his brothers. His first wife died in 1995, and in 1998 the Rebbe remarried the widow Rebbetzin Steinwurtzel, the mother-in-law of the present Karlin-Stolin Rebbe. In addition to his position as the Rabbi of Lugano
Lugano
Lugano is a city of inhabitants in the city proper and a total of over 145,000 people in the agglomeration/city region, in the south of Switzerland, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, which borders Italy...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, the Rebbe also spends much time in Jerusalem and Safed
Safed
Safed , 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...
in Israel, where he has synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
s.
In Safed the Rebbe began a congregation in the old Kosover Synagogue. He does a lot of work helping to teach unaffiliated Jews learn about their Jewish heritage.
The Rebbe Shlita is the author of an extensive body of Torah literature, including both Hasidic discourses and Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic commentaries, of which over thirty volumes have been published in Hebrew. These include the Rebbe's own works, Mevaser Tov, as well as compete seforim and maamarim that appear in the numerous works of published literature from the entire house of Biala. Techias HaMeisim is the third book by the Rebbe to have been translated into English, alongside The Merit of the Righteous Women and The Reward of the Righteous Women.http://www.yarzheit.com/heavensregister/bialarebbe.htm
Successors of Rebbe Dovid Matisyohu
Rabbi Yehudah Wolf Kornreich - the Shidlovtze Rebbe of Jerusalem
Grand Rabbi Wolf Kornreich of Shidlovtze is the son-in-law of Grand Rabbi David Mattisyahu Rabinowitz of Biala. He was very close with Grand Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz of Biala. He has a growing following in Jerusalem.He found the lost tomb of Grand Rabbi Nathan David Rabinowitz of Shidlovtze and commissioned the building of a new ohel which now marks the grave.
Rabbi Yaakov Menachem Rabinowicz, current Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak
After the passing of his father, Rabbi Dovid Matisyohu, Rabbi Yaakov Menachem Rabinovich was prevailed upon by his father's students and adherents to take upon himself the responsibility of guiding the followers of his late father. As he was a prominent Talmid Chochom [Torah scholar] and experienced counselor, even while his father was alive, the Biala Chasidim promoted him as the most worthy to continue onward the legacy of his father and grandfather. Already active in outreach programs for others in the USA who lack understanding and knowledge of their Jewish roots and traditions, he has already made a name for himself in many Jewish communities in the US where his yearly visits are attended by hundreds who seek his blessing, counsel and advice.Rabbi Avraham Rabinowicz - Ostrova-Bialer Rebbe
Grand Rabbi Avraham Yerachmiel Rabinowicz, Shlita, son of Grand Rabbi Dovid Matisyohu and direct descendent of the Yid Ha Kadosh. The Rebbe is dedicated to the strengthening and growth of every person he meets. His synagogue is a place of meeting for every kind of person in Givat Shaul and beyond. He is recognized as a miracle worker and Talmid Chacham.The Rebbe is known for his generosity, kindness and love for peace and humanity. By looking at every Jew with an open and accepting heart, he has been able to touch the lives of thousands of Jews. Countless people, ranging from simple beggars to high-ranking Army and government officials, visit the Rebbe on a daily basis in his headquarters in Jerusalem to seek his guidance and blessings.
The Rebbe runs a very active yeshiva, where students come to learn at all hours of the day and night about Judaism, Torah, Israel, and much more. Through the yeshiva, the Rebbe supports over 100 families with food, Jewish education, emotional support, guidance, and counseling. The yeshiva also serves as a full service synagogue with daily prayers, Shabbat and holiday services.
The Rebbe has been often called “the miracle worker” because of his gift of successful spiritual advice, blessings, and the high level of prayer he provides for everybody who comes to see him. The Rebbe sees the essence of every Jew with purity and love. He emphasizes kindness, warmth, and goodness towards one another as the essence of Judaism and Torah.
There are countless stories of the Rebbe making miracles for those who have come to see him. Having defied all medical and scientific odds, sick people who were told by their surgeons and physicians that they had no chance of living were miraculously cured after seeing the Rebbe and taking his advice. People seeking blessings in business and ‘parnasa’ have seen wondrous changes in their financial success after seeking and following the Rebbe’s guidance. Couples having troubles in their relationships and singles seeking their soul-mates have been blessed with peaceful and fruitful homes for them and their families. Barren and infertile women have been granted children as a result of the Rebbe’s prayers. And those seeking spiritual guidance and Torah knowledge have reached the peaks of holiness thanks to the Rebbe’s teachings.
The Rebbe’s life is dedicated to the service of the Jewish people. He lives a very humble life with his wife and children in a small apartment in Jerusalem and uses all the funds he raises to support his community. Many people only have food and a bed to sleep in as a result of the Rebbe’s fund raising activities.
Rabbi Aaron Rabinowitz - Biala Rebbe of America
Grand Rabbi Aaron Shlomo Chaim Eleazar Rabinowicz, the Bialer Rebbe of America, was born in Bnei Brak. He is the son-in-law of the Dezher Rebbe of Boro Park. His chasidic court is located in the Boro Park section of BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, NY. He was appointed by his father to be the Biala Rebbe in America after his father's passing. He also has two synagogues in Israel, in Beitar and in Jerusalem, and he spends much time there.
He has published a biography of his father and grandfather in Yiddish entitled Der Heyliger Rebbi fun Biala: Tiferes Avos. He has also re-published several books from the Biala dynasty: Sefer Divrei Binah and Yishrei Lev by the first Bialer Rebbe, with indexes and, recently, an English-Hebrew edition of Sefer Seder HaYom by his grandfather, the Chelkas Yehoshua.
The Bialer Rebbe of America has a website.
Main books of Biala Hasidism
The main books of the Biala Hasidus are:- Toldos Adam (by Rebbe Yehoshua of Ostrova, the father-in-law of the first Biala Rebbe)
- Divrei Binah (by the first Biala Rebbe)
- Aron Eidus (by Rebbe Shraga Yoir of Białobrzegi, the brother of the Divrei Binah)
- Zichron Mishlei (by Rebbe Meir Shlomo of Mezritch, the son of the Divrei Binah)
- Yeshuas Avraham (by Rebbe Avrohom Yehoshua Heshl of Lublin, the son of the Divrei Binah)
- Chelkas Yehoshua and Seder HaYom (by Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua)
- Lehavas David' (by Rebbe Dovid Matisyahu of Biala-Bnei Brak)
- Mevaser Tov (by Rebbe Ben-Zion of Biala-Lugano)—parts of which have been translated into English
A translation of Seder HaYom into English has recently been published by the Biala Rebbe of America. The version of the prayer-book used by Biala Hasidim is called Siddur Chelkas Yehoshua.
External links
- The Biala Rebbe of Lugano, Switzerland
- Yeshivas Mevaser Tov of Biala, Lugano, Switzerland
- Video Clips of Biala Rebbes
- Video of the Shidlovtzer Rebbe of Jerusalem, a scion of the Biala dynasty, in Miami, Florida
- Link to a video of the late Biala Rebbe of Ramat Aaron visiting the late Lubavitcher Rebbe
- Official Website of the Biala Ostrova Rebbe of Jerusalem
- Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak Israel
- BialaRebbe.com
- The Biala Rebbe of America
- Official Website of the Biala Rebbe of America
- The Biala Rebbe of Lugano's teachings in English