TITLE: PAGE COUNT: Benei Hatzemach 508 Tzedek

AUTHOR: Amram Bloi ISSUE #10 PUBLISHER: Maayanotecha, 5781

editorial process. What Do You Know Benei Hatzemach Tzedek originated with a series of articles by R. Amram Bloi in the Heichal Habaal Shem Tov journal (vol. 15- About ? 23). R. Bloi was a trained historian, and in his later years he published many articles on BY SHMUEL SUPER history, the history of the yishuv in Yerushalayim, and other topics of historical interest. for eternity (Sichos Kodesh 5752, p. 11-12). Introduction The research into the different branches of The different streams of Chabad, the Chabad was the pinnacle of R. Bloi’s work, oday, Chabad and Lubavitch are said, have since flowed into and merged and the introduction to the book tells us synonymous. But for a significant with the great river of Lubavitch, under the that he had begun editing this work for period of Chabad history this was leadership of the Frierdiker Rebbe (Toras publication in book form. After R. Bloi’s tragic Tnot the case—alongside Lubavitch, several Menachem 5713, vol. 3, p. 57). death in a road accident in 5779, his grandson other Chabad groups flourished, led by The story of the sons and the grandsons Menachem Mendel Bloi completed the job. the sons and grandsons of the Tzemach of the Tzemach Tzedek and the chassidim A biographical chapter about R. Bloi appears Tzedek. Rabbi Amram Bloi’s masterful they led is thus a part of our broader history at the beginning of the book. Benei Hatzemach Tzedek tells this little- as Lubavitchers. Even on the most simple R. Bloi’s work is unique due to his ability to remembered fascinating story for the first level, our Rebbe was a direct descendant draw together disparate sources and weave time. of the Tzemach Tzedek’s oldest son Harav them into one cohesive narrative. In the past, Lubavitcher chassidim generally Baruch Sholom; the Frierdiker Rebbe was did not discuss this topic much. It is no the grandson and namesake of Harav Yosef Benei Hatzemach Tzedek draws extensively secret that there were periods of tension Yitzchak of Avrutch; and the Rebbetzin was from traditional internal Chabad sources, and points of contention between Lubavitch a descendant of Harav Yisrael of of which there are three primary channels: and the other Chabad courts. Niezhin. Many Lubavitcher chassidim today the traditions of Beis Harav as related by are similarly descended from chassidim of the Frierdiker Rebbe in his voluminous But the Frierdiker Rebbe, and especially the different branches of Chabad. writings, the stories related by the our Rebbe, displayed a conciliatory attitude in Lubavitch R. Groinem (preserved in towards the other Chabad , even Overview the books written by his students, such ,כ"ק אדמו"ר referring to them with the title of as Shemuos Vesipurim, Reshimos Devarim, an honorific they generally reserved for our In this review, we will begin with an overview etc.), and the stories of R. Mordechai Yoel Rebbeim. When the editors of kovetz Yagdil of the methodology of Benei Hatzemach Duchman transcribed in Lesheima Ozen. placed a letter by one of the other Tzedek, continue to survey its contents, Chabad Rebbes in the section for “Chassidim and conclude with some comments on the R. Bloi is able to use this large and disparate Harishonim,” the Rebbe instructed it be moved to the section titled “Rabboseinu Nesi’einu” (Avodas Hakodesh, p. 23). Available at: The Rebbe explained that the split within SeforimDeals.com/ Chabad was not a machlokes in the simple LookInBook sense, it was a division leshem shamayim. As such, both sides are destined to endure body of stories to paint a detailed picture the tzadikim and nuanced descriptions of conversation with Harav Yisrael Noach, later of a person by identifying defining their individual personalities and character of Niezhin, and a meal in his house. characteristics expressed by multiple traits. The book is thoroughly researched, A quote from a Russian government report stories, and presenting them to the reader but it is not dry and technical and will be an describing the great respect chassidim in a logical order. enjoyable read even for those not inclined accorded the Tzemach Tzedek and his sons towards the minute details of history. The novel element of R. Bloi’s work lies in the concludes this chapter. external sources he brings to the table. He The Sons of the The following five chapters introduce us to draws extensively from eyewitness accounts each of Tzemach Tzedek’s sons, except for published in memoir literature, newspapers, Tzemach Tzedek the Rebbe Maharash, who has already been and journals, by people that had firsthand We will now turn to survey the content of written about at length in Lubavitch sources. encounters with the holy protagonists of the book, highlighting the way in which the The Tzemach Tzedek’s oldest son Harav this book. These sources are very important previously mentioned sources are used. in order to paint a full historical picture of Baruch Sholom—the Rebbe’s great-great Benei Hatzemach Tzedek begins with an these tzadikim. Traditionally chassidim grandfather—was the only one son who did introductory chapter about the later years didn’t place an emphasis on the details not become a Rebbe of chassidim after his of the Tzemach Tzedek’s nesius, laying out of history and externalities, focusing on father’s passing, and even during his father’s the background for the story of the division Torah and avodas Hashem. The stories they lifetime was less involved in communal of Chabad. told were for the purpose of learning from affairs. A number of stories describe his tzadikim, not learning about them. This We learn that already during the lifetime of deep humility. focus is perhaps best illustrated by the many the Tzemach Tzedek his sons filled rebbe-like Nevertheless, both before and after his examples in this book of biographical details functions. They each had their own shuls in father’s passing, R. Baruch Sholom did such as years of birth, marriage, etc. that Lubavitch, taught their father’s , travel to outlying Chabad communities, we only know from the titles of maamarei and visited outlying communities on saying chassidus and accepting panim. The Chassidus delivered on these occasions. their father’s behalf, where they would say aforementioned R. Goldenshtein met with Chassidus and even accept panim. The outside sources R. Bloi cites give R. Baruch Sholom on one of his journeys incredible descriptions of every element of These underlying facts are established and describes his appearance, scholarship, the courts of the Tzemach Tzedek and his based on Reshimos Hayoman and other and humility. Interestingly, this source— descendants, describing their appearances, internal sources, but they are then brought among others—describes how together conduct, and teachings in intimate detail. to life with an eyewitness account from with his berachos, R. Baruch Sholom would For us materially grounded readers, these the memoir of R. Pinchas Goldenshtein, also dispense medical prescriptions for depictions draws us into the atmosphere a non-Chabad chasid who later served as health issues. He passed away only three of the chatzer, and develop a feeling for the a shochet in Petach Tikvah. This account years after his father. tzadikim described. provides a detailed description of Tzemach The second son, Harav Yehudah Leib, known Tzedek’s delivery of the maamar and the Of course, these external sources need as Maharil, was the most prominent son chazaros each of his sons made separately, to be used with great caution. Most of during most of the lifetime of the Tzemach at their homes. these accounts were written by outsiders, Tzedek. Maharil had a particularly close or by insiders who left. As a result, their A collection of stories from Chabad sources relationship with his grandfather the accounts are colored by their perspectives illustrates the relationship between the Mitteler Rebbe, and a number of stories and agendas, which are often very distant Tzemach Tzedek and his sons, highlighting show how Maharil was an even closer talmid from the chassidishe world they are the importance he ascribed to their learning of his grandfather than he was of his father. writing about. R. Bloi perfected the art of and davening. Maharil was known for his very intense discernment, extracting the valuable fruit of These internal stories about the spiritual avodas hatefilah in the style of the Alter these accounts, while discarding their shell. dimension are then followed by a carefully Rebbe, with great visible excitement, Another unique source of information for curated selection from the writings of completely oblivious to his surroundings. R. Bloi is archival material, drawn primarily contemporary and maskilim An eyewitness account describes his from the archives of the National Library who visited the Tzemach Tzedek’s chatzer conduct on his journeys among the of Israel. This material includes previously and gave accounts describing the external chassidim, including a moving description unpublished writings of chassidim and dimension of its functioning. of his emotional reading of the haftorah. outsiders, as well as Russian governmental Worthy of special mention is one lengthy Before the passing of the Tzemach Tzedek, records. incredible account by a maskil describing Maharil was the best known of his sons. Benei Hatzemach Tzedek masterfully weaves his wondrous yechidus with the Tzemach Upon the Tzemach Tzedek’s passing all of these sources into a seamless tapestry. Tzedek, the delivery of the maamar, the machlokes broke out among the chassidim, Written with a rare combination of historical yoshvim and their davening. This account also primarily between supporters of Maharil scholarship and chassidishe reverence, we describes the Tzemach Tzedek’s sons, their and the Rebbe Maharash. R. Bloi describes are presented with clear living portraits of ages, physical appearances, and a personal this episode sensitively and respectfully, based on letters and documents from invitation of the chassidim who lived in in general communal affairs. His humility the time, including archival material first the Ukraine, far from the other centers of and politeness was often misrepresented published here. Chabad. In Niezhin he served as rebbe, and as endorsement, and in an important a posek. Maharin passed away in 5643 and Due to the machlokes, Maharil moved to section his stance concerning is was particularly mourned by all Chabad Kopust, and most of the Tzemach Tzedek’s clarified. Initially supportive of settlement chassidim, as he was the last of the Tzemach chassidim accepted his leadership. The first in Eretz Yisrael, together with many other Tzedek’s sons to pass away, a few months after in Kopust was attended by masses of prominent Rabbonim, he turned against his younger brother the Rebbe Maharash. chassidim, but the great excitement quickly it when the relationship with the secular turned into deep mourning, as Maharil The fifth son of the Tzemach Tzedek, Harav Zionists became clear. passed away shortly after yom tov, only Yosef Yitzchak, is probably the least known Maamarim of R. Shlomo Zalman were months after his father. of the sons. R. Yosef Yitzchak also served as published in Magen Avos, and the Rebbe a chassidic rebbe, in the town of Avrutch, The chapter about Maharil concludes with a once commented that these are very but unlike his brothers, he was a not a list of some of his prominent chassidim with geshmake maamarim, based primarily Chabad style rebbe. A son-in-law in the brief biographical information, some brief on maamarim of the Tzemach Tzedek. Chernobyl dynasty, he served as a rebbe in pisgamim from him, and stories about him. (Hamelech Bemesibo, vol. 2, p. 84). the Chernobyl tradition. The other chapters in the book conclude The chapter also contains a general similarly. R. Yosef Yitzchak’s leadership began during discussion of the affiliations of chassidim in the lifetime of his father the Tzemach The Tzemach Tzedek’s third son Harav different towns, and concludes with sichos Tzedek and was subject to machlokes in Chaim Shneur Zalman was also a and stories related by R. Shlomo Zalman, Chernobyl. The Tzemach Tzedek was not prominent figure in his father’s lifetime. many published from manuscript. pleased with this, and R. Bloi quotes from A few years after the Tzemach Tzedek’s The second son of Maharil was Harav his letters to his son and explains the passing he moved to , and R. Bloi Sholom Dovber of Retzitza. A few years episode with characteristic sensitivity and quotes from a beautiful description of the after the passing of his father, he moved honesty. Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah was R. great joy in Liadi when R. Chaim Shneur to Retzitza where he served as a Rov and Yosef Yitzchak’s daughter, and the Frierdiker Zalman arrived to settle there. rebbe. After the passing of Maharin, many of Rebbe was named after him. His avodas Hashem was also with great the chassidim in the Ukraine area came to excitement and dveikus, and we read a vivid The Grandsons of the his chatzer. The chapter includes a lengthy description of him singing nigunim, saying Tzemach Tzedek description of him during the time of the chassidus, davening, yechidus, and the life Russian revolution and pogroms, by his in his chatzer. This is probably the most A further six chapters tell the stories of grandson Dr. Fishel Schneerson. the grandsons of the Tzemach Tzedek that incredible account in the book, and it draws A large chapter is devoted to Harav functioned as rebbes. the reader in to feel the experience. Shmaryahu Noach of Bobroisk, the third The fourth son of the Tzemach Tzedek was The first chapter in this section is dedicated son of Maharil. A few years after his father’s Harav Yisrael Noach, known as Maharin. to Harav Shlomo Zalman of Kopust, the passing, R. Shmaryahu Noach of moved to Maharin stood out as a gaon in nigleh, and oldest grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek and Bobroisk as the rov of the local chassidishe was entrusted by his father to respond to for many years the most prominent Chabad community. During this time he said many of the halachic questions sent to Rebbe. chassidus, but only began to function fully him from across Russia, especially during Four years older than the Rebbe Maharash, as a rebbe after the passing of his brother the Tzemach Tzedek’s later years. He also R. Shlomo Zalman grew up in the chatzer of Shlomo Zalman of Kopust when many headed a local Yeshivah in Lubavitch and the Tzemach Tzedek with whom he had a Kopuster chassidim turned to him as their gave semicha to aspiring rabbonim. very close relationship, and was treated like rebbe. R. Bloi briefly describes the content of one of the sons. An important part of R. Shmaryahu Noach’s some of Maharin’s teshuvos and analyzes R. Shlomo Zalman went with his father activity was the kibutz he established. This his approach, identifying an inclination to Maharil to Kopust, and was broken by his was a Yeshivah for older bochurim, less search for leniency in difficult situations. sudden passing. His subsequent letter to his organized and supervised than Tomchei These teshuvos have been published in chassidim describes this as the end of an era Temimim in Lubavitch. Many important various journals, and it is hoped that they in the history of chassidus. This sentiment, rabbonim studied under him and received will one day be collected and published that the rebbes following the Tzemach semicha from him, such as Shlomo properly, together with the teshuvos written Tzedek were of a different level, appears to Yosef Zevin and Rav Telushkin. by his brothers, perhaps as a hosafah to the have been common among many Chabad R. Shmaryahu Noach was very active in new edition of the teshuvos of their father, chassidim of all types. communal affairs. His involvement in the the Tzemach Tzedek. The leadership of R. Shlomo Zalman was battle for shechitah, assisting Jewish soldiers, A few years after the Tzemach Tzedek’s focused on chassidus and counseling his and other communal matters is described passing, Maharin moved to Niezhin at the Chassidim, and he was not very involved in this chapter. His stance in the rabbinic conference of 5670 regarding secular Another appendix studies the life and many of the talmidim of Tomchei Temimim education for rabbonim is also explained. thought of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkas, came from the other branches of Chabad, including some of the grandchildren of the Another section in this chapter respectfully the son of R. Mottele Chernoblyer, and other rebbes. describes the machlokes regarding Colel son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe, showing Chabad in Eretz Yisrael, in which R. how fundamental Chabad concepts are Such broader chapters of analysis would Shmaryahu Noach prioritized the yishuv reflected in his teachings. The relationship have made this excellent book even more in Yerushlayim, while the Rebbe Rashab between Chabad and Radzimin is the focus valuable, but unfortunately its author prioritized Chevron. of another appendix. passed away without being able to write these chapters. With the passing of R. Shmaryahu Noach The book concludes with a chapter about R. in 5683, an era in Chabad history drew to Menachem Nochum, the son of the Mitteler The editor added a few pictures to the a close. He had been the last of the Chabad Rebbe, and his descendants who served as chapters, but other visual elements could rebbes outside of Lubavitch, and from this rebbes in the Chernobyl style, under the have been added as well. For example, a point on Lubavitch and Chabad became name of Tomoshpil. timeline with the important milestones in synonyms again. The Rebbe assisted in the life of each tzadik at the beginning of the the publication of R. Shmaryahu Noach’s Editorial Comments chapter would have helped contextualize maamorim under the title Shemen Lamaor. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, them in time. Many readers aren’t familiar with the meaning of old geographical This part of the book concludes with shorter the content of Benei Hatzemach Tzedek labels such Lita, Raysen, and Malarussya, chapters about three other grandsons was initially published in installments in and maps showing the regions and cities of the Tzemach Tzedek who served as Heichal Habaal Shem Tov, and reedited for mentioned would have helped readers rebbes. Harav Yitzchak Dovber (Maharid) publication in book form. contextualize matters geographically. succeeded his father R. Chaim Shneur Now that the articles have been published Zalman in Liadi, and is best known for his as a complete book, the absence of chapters The original articles inHeichal Habaal Shem commentary on the according to providing a broader overview of the period Tov generated much learned feedback in the Chassidus, Sidur Maharid (published in a in general is felt. Such chapters could have journal, and corrections and additions could new edition by Machon Oholei Shem, 5751). explored what it meant to be a chassid have been made based on this material. For example, a response in Heichal Habaal Shem We also learn about a little known figure, of a rebbe in this period of division, how Tov clarified the details of the wives and Harav Levi Yitzchak of Siratshin. R. Levi chassidim from one group viewed the rebbes children of Maharin of Niezhin, and added Yitzchak was a descendent of a Polish of the other groups, and how fluid were another eyewitness account of him. Chassidic dynasty who became a chassid the boundaries between them—as we find and son-in-law of R. Chaim Shneur Zalman chassidim who maintained a connection Occasionally the dates for events discussed of Liadi, and after his father in law’s passing with multiple chatzeiros. are not given in the right place, leaving the served as a rebbe in Siratshin, according to Another question readers may have reader unclear about the progression of the Chabad style. after reading this book is why all of the events. For example, no year is given when R. Yosef Yitzchak’s move to Avrutch is The final chapter tells the story of the other branches of Chabad died out while discussed, and only at the end of the chapter Lubavitch survived and thrived. The answer son and successor of R. Yosef Yitzchak of can readers deduce this information, when to this question appears to be the high Avrutch, Harav Nachum Dovber, who we are told that he passed away in 5636 after rates of attrition among the youth as the served as a rebbe in the Chernobyl tradition. leading his chassidim for 18 years. winds of modernity swept through Russia, Appendices with , communism, and secular It is hoped that the Bloi family will continue Zionism attracting many young people. The and publish further books collecting R. The Rebbe once expressed his desire to anti-religious persecution of the communist Amram’s other scholarly articles on Chabad publish one maamar from each of the sons regime was the final nail in the coffin. history and other topics. of the Tzemach Tzedek (Hamelech Bemesibo, vol. 1, p. 211). Accordingly, Benei Hatzemach Lubavitch was the exception to this trend Conclusion Tzedek book includes one maamar from each due to the siyata dishmaya of the Rebbe of the sons and grandsons of the Tzemach Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe, the sharp Benei Hatzemach Tzedek is an excellent, Tzedek who said chassidus in the Chabad ideological sense of mission they imparted groundbreaking book that tells the style. The editing of thesemaamarim is not to their chassidim, and their success in fascinating story of a little-known yet uniform; some have detailed footnotes and establishing Tomchei Temimim to educate important period in Chabad history. Anyone others none at all. bochurim to these ideals and serve as a with an interest in Chabad history and bulwark against outside influences. chassidishe stories will thoroughly enjoy Four other articles by R. Bloi on topics this book. related to the book also appear as The graduates of Tomchei Temimim were appendices. One in-depth chapter explores fortified with the strength and mesiras nefesh the concept of hiskashrus in Chabad thought to withstand foreign ideas and government To purchase the new book, visit and highlights the chidushim of R. Shlomo oppression, and they perpetuated Lubavitch SeforimDeals.com/LookInBook Zalman of Kopust in this area. into the modern era. It is noteworthy that