Hillel Paritcher
Encyclopedia
Hillel HaLevi Malisov of Paritch, commonly known as Reb
Hillel Paritcher (1795-1864) was a famous Orthodox Jewish
Chabad
Rabbi
in Russia. Specifically, he served as a Mashpia
(Hasidic mentor) and communal rabbi in the towns of Paritch (Parwich), near Minsk
, Russia
, and Bobroisk, Belarus
. He was considered exceptional in his scholarship and piety, and is referred to as a Tzadik
, and even as a "half Rebbe
."
He was born in Khometz, Russia. Although he was originally a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, he became a disciple of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
(though he never saw him) after learning in a “hidden” Tanya
without the title page. In 1815 he began to travel regularly to Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch
and, after the latter’s passing, became a disciple of Rabbi Dovber's successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
.
area had been initiated and encouraged by Rabbi Dovber. In 1818 Rabbi Dovber instructed Rabbi Hillel to visit these colonies regularly, saying, "Harvest material (gather funds for those in need) and sow spiritual (guide and inspire the colonists)." He provided conscripted soldiers (cantonist
s) in Bobroisk with kosher food, and aided Jews imprisoned there. Rabbi Hillel's appointment was emphatically confirmed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel. He died in Kherson on Shabbos, 11 Av, 5624.
, and at fifteen, the Kabbalistic
works of the Arizal. The latter accomplishment was a wonder even then. In addition, he trained himself in self-discipline to the point that his body was mobilised to act only as the Torah prescribes, and even to conform with Kabbalah. Rabbi Hillel's way was to study Chasidic texts for many hours and then pray and meditate for many hours.
Reb
Reb is a Yiddish honorific traditionally used for Orthodox Jewish men. It is not a rabbinic title; it is the equivalent of the English "mister"...
Hillel Paritcher (1795-1864) was a famous Orthodox Jewish
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Chabad
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
Rabbi
Rabbi
In 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...
in Russia. Specifically, he served as a Mashpia
Mashpia
Mashpia lit. "person of influence", pl. Mashpi'im is the title of a rabbi or rebbetzin who serves as a spiritual mentor in Tomchei Temimim , in a girls' seminary belonging to the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, or in a Chabad community.-Definition:Although counterparts to the mashpia exist in...
(Hasidic mentor) and communal rabbi in the towns of Paritch (Parwich), near Minsk
Minsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and Bobroisk, Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
. He was considered exceptional in his scholarship and piety, and is referred to as a Tzadik
Tzadik
Tzadik/Zadik/Sadiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q , which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of Tzedakah...
, and even as a "half Rebbe
Rebbe
Rebbe , 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...
."
He was born in Khometz, Russia. Although he was originally a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, he became a disciple of Rabbi 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...
(though he never saw him) after learning in a “hidden” Tanya
Tanya
The Tanya is an early work of Hasidic philosophy, by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Hasidism, first published in 1797. Its formal title is Likkutei Amarim , but is more commonly known by its opening word, Tanya, which means "it was taught in a beraita"...
without the title page. In 1815 he began to travel regularly to Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch
Dovber Schneuri
Dovber Schneuri was the second Rebbe of the Chabad Lubavitch Chasidic movement. Rabbi Dovber was the first Chabad rebbe to live in the town of Lyubavichi , the town for which this Hasidic dynasty is named...
and, after the latter’s passing, became a disciple of Rabbi Dovber's successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Menachem Mendel Schneersohn
Menachem Mendel Schneersohn also known as the Tzemach Tzedek was an Orthodox rabbi and the third Rebbe of the Chabad Lubavitch chasidic movement.-Biography:...
.
Activities
Jewish agricultural settlement in the Kherson GovernorateKherson
Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Kherson Oblast , and is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast. Kherson is an important port on the Black Sea and Dnieper River, and the home of a major ship-building industry...
area had been initiated and encouraged by Rabbi Dovber. In 1818 Rabbi Dovber instructed Rabbi Hillel to visit these colonies regularly, saying, "Harvest material (gather funds for those in need) and sow spiritual (guide and inspire the colonists)." He provided conscripted soldiers (cantonist
Cantonist
Cantonists were underage sons of Russian conscripts who from 1721 were educated in special "canton schools" for future military service .-Cantonist schools during the 18th and early 19th centuries:Cantonist...
s) in Bobroisk with kosher food, and aided Jews imprisoned there. Rabbi Hillel's appointment was emphatically confirmed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel. He died in Kherson on Shabbos, 11 Av, 5624.
Scholarship and piety
Hillel was born with exceptional gifts, and he strove diligently in Torah study. At thirteen he had mastered the TalmudTalmud
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....
, and at fifteen, the Kabbalistic
Kabbala
Kabbala may refer to:*Kabbalah, is a religious philosophical system claiming an insight into divine nature*Sefer ha-Qabbalah by Abraham ibn Daud*Kabbala Denudata , a book from Christian Knorr von Rosenroth, a Christian Hebraist...
works of the Arizal. The latter accomplishment was a wonder even then. In addition, he trained himself in self-discipline to the point that his body was mobilised to act only as the Torah prescribes, and even to conform with Kabbalah. Rabbi Hillel's way was to study Chasidic texts for many hours and then pray and meditate for many hours.
Aphorisms
- "If those who indulge in lusts were to know the tremendous pleasure in matters of G-dliness that can be attained through study of Chasidus, and especially of the Holy Tanya, they would abandon all their lusts and pursue only the Holy Tanya."http://www.reshet.org.il/ChinuchFiles/2/tik/sa9FFB.doc
- "Those who stay in the dark for long enough start to think that the darkness is light."http://chabad-il.org/hit/hit162.htm
- "Every Chossid needs a chossid to be his mentor."
Works
- Pelech Harimon. A profound discourse of Chasidic philosophy on Bereishis, Shemos, Vayikra, and Shir HaShirim. It includes many explanations of the Rebbes of Chabad not cited elsewhere, and which received the firm approbations of almost all the grandchildren of Rabbi Menachem Mendel. First printed in 1881 by the author's grandson, Pinchas HaLevi. It was printed by the Kehot Publication SocietyKehot Publication SocietyKehot Publication Society and Merkos Publications, the publishing divisions of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, were established in 1942 by the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn...
, and can be read here and here. - Commentary on Shaar HaYichud of Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch.
- Commentary on Kuntres HaHispa'alus of Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch.
- Imrei No'am, Chasidic discourses.
- A tune composed by Rabbi Hillel.