The American Breslov Pioneer The Life and Teachings of Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld z”l (1922-1978) A modern-day pioneer who brought Breslov Chassidus to America and nurtured its growth for more than thirty years Published by BRESLOV RESEARCH INSTITUTE JERUSALEM/NY 2 / The American Breslov Pioneer COPYRIGHT ©2020 BRESLOV RESEARCH INSTITUTE ISBN: No part of this book may be translated, reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. For further information: Breslov Research Institute POB 5370, Jerusalem, Israel 91053 or Breslov Research Institute POB 587, Monsey, NY 10952-0587 or Breslov Research Institute POB 11, Lakewood, NJ 08701 www.breslov.org e-mail: [email protected] PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD / 3 MAIN DEDICATION $10,000 YOUR DEDICATION TEXT HERE 4 / The American Breslov Pioneer FRONT PAGE BOOK DEDICATION $5,000 YOUR DEDICATION TEXT HERE PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD / 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD .............................................................................................................. 4 PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................... 6 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 9 PROLOGUE .................................................................................................................................... 12 1920 ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 1 .................................................................................................... 14 R’ ZVI ARYEH THE YESHIVA STUDENT ................................................................................................... 14 1922 ....................................................................................................................................................... 14 1939 ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 1940 ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 1945 ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 2 .................................................................................................... 26 THE MAKING OF A TEACHER............................................................................................................... 26 1946 ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER 3 .................................................................................................... 32 1947 ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 1936 ....................................................................................................................................................... 34 1949 ....................................................................................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER 4 .................................................................................................... 40 “WHAT MADE ME A BRESLOVER” ........................................................................................................ 40 6 / The American Breslov Pioneer CHAPTER 5 .................................................................................................... 46 FIRST VISIT TO ERETZ YISRAEL............................................................................................................. 46 ..................................................................................................................... 47 ............................................................................................................................................................... 48 1949 ....................................................................................................................................................... 49 CHAPTER 6 .................................................................................................... 57 PIED PIPER .................................................................................................................................... 57 1950 ....................................................................................................................................................... 62 CHAPTER 7 .................................................................................................... 69 A NEW BATTLEFRONT ...................................................................................................................... 69 1950’S ..................................................................................................................................................... 71 CHAPTER 8 .................................................................................................... 80 FAMILY CIRCLE ................................................................................................................................ 80 1951 ....................................................................................................................................................... 80 1953 ....................................................................................................................................................... 89 CHAPTER 9 .................................................................................................... 98 KIBBUTZ ........................................................................................................................................ 98 ................................................................................................................... 101 CHAPTER 10 ................................................................................................ 103 THE SEPHARDIC CONNECTION .......................................................................................................... 103 1953 ..................................................................................................................................................... 103 PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD / 7 1954 ..................................................................................................................................................... 106 1956 ..................................................................................................................................................... 109 1957 ..................................................................................................................................................... 111 CHAPTER 11 ................................................................................................ 113 THE ETZ CHAIM BOYS ..................................................................................................................... 113 1957 ..................................................................................................................................................... 113 1958 ..................................................................................................................................................... 120 CHAPTER 12 ................................................................................................ 126 MA’AMADOS ............................................................................................................................... 126 1961 ..................................................................................................................................................... 129 CHAPTER 13 ................................................................................................ 138 PRINTING RABBEINU Z”LS SEFORIM ................................................................................................... 138 1958 ..................................................................................................................................................... 138 CHAPTER 14 ................................................................................................ 144 THE SEPHARDIC CONNECTION II ........................................................................................................ 144 1960 ..................................................................................................................................................... 144 ................................................................................................................... 152 CHAPTER 15 ................................................................................................ 153 THE ASSOULINS ............................................................................................................................ 153 CHAPTER 16 ...............................................................................................