Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Avrutch

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Avrutch (5582-5637) was the son of the Tzemach Tzedek. He established a Chassidic court in Avrutch in the style of Chernobyl Chassidus.

Life History

He was born in 5582 in the town of Lubavitch as the fifth son to his father Admor the Tzemach Tzedek and his mother Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. Admor Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak was their fifth son. He was named after Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Shrei, the husband of the granddaughter of Rabbi Baruch Batlan (Rebbetzin Devorah Leah) and uncle of the Alter Rebbe.

He married Rebbetzin Chana, daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel of Cherkass and Rebbetzin Devorah Leah (daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe).

In the month of Tishrei 5637 he fell ill, and on the 18th of Kislev 5637 he passed away and was laid to rest with honor in Avrutch.

His Leadership as Rebbe

After his wedding, the Tzemach Tzedek wanted him to come settle in Lubavitch, but his father-in-law opposed this and wanted him to be appointed as Admor in Avrutch in order to prevent the descendants of Rabbi Aharon of Chernobyl, his father-in-law's brother, from taking the rabbinical position and leadership in the city, despite this being difficult for him. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak eventually accepted his father-in-law's proposal and at the age of thirty-six, in 5619, he began to act as Rebbe in the town of Avrutch, but his father the Tzemach Tzedek was not pleased with this. According to another opinion, the reason he moved to Avrutch was to help his father-in-law and ease his financial burden. Another reason was also to save his sons from the decree imposed on the Tzemach Tzedek, who was forced to hand over two of his grandsons to the Haskalah movement's school in Lubavitch.

His leadership style followed the way of the Chernobyler Rebbes and not the Chabad approach. He would say only short "toiros" (Torah teachings) while sharing deep maamarim (discourses) with select individuals, but occasionally he would visit Lubavitch, where he would deliver long maamarim to those who eagerly awaited him.

He was known as a miracle worker. And so it is written about him in the book "Beis Rebbi": "And Yosef was the ruler, even during the lifetime of his father our Rebbe. And he established his residence in the city of Avrutch, and there people would travel to him to receive from his mouth and seek from him spiritual and material advice. In Volhynia they told great stories about him and considered him a miracle worker... he would come at times to Lubavitch to drink from the well of living waters, and he would draw and give to anash (Chassidim) who were connected and attached to him..."

After his passing, his son, Admor Rabbi Nachum Dov Ber Schneersohn, took his place. He passed away on the 8th of Tevet 5656. After his passing, his Chassidim scattered among the various Chernobyl Chassidic courts.

Family

• His son and successor is the Admor Rabbi Nachum Dovber.
• His son Rabbi Mordechai Shneur Zalman was known for his genius. At age 17, he was appointed as Rabbi of Zhitomir. He passed away at age 26, two weeks after the passing of his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek. Despite his young age, he left behind many Torah innovations.
• His son Rabbi Aharon Moshe Schneerson married Sarah Batya, daughter of his uncle Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Tlumatch. He passed away at age 21 on Shushan Purim 5627 (1867).
• His son Mordechai was born in Cherkasy.
• His son Rabbi Nachum Zalman Schneerson was the Av Beit Din in Cherkasy. The descendants of Rabbi Nachum Zalman and his wife Sterna-Feiga:
  • Yaakov Yisrael. Born in Horynspol.
  • Devorah. Born in Horynspol.
  • Yosef. Born in Horynspol.
  • Chaim. Married to Prima-Sarah. His son Aharon was born in Kiev.
  • Shalom. Born in Cherkasy.
  • Chana. Born in Cherkasy.
  • Aharon-Mendel. Born in Cherkasy.
  • Yitzchak. Born in Cherkasy.
  • Elimelech. Born in Cherkasy.
  • Yechiel-Michel. Born in Cherkasy.
  • Avraham. Born in Cherkasy.
• His daughter Rebbetzin Sterna Sarah, wife of the Admor Rashab.
• His daughter Rebbetzin Sheina Bracha Dolitzka, wife of Rabbi Naftali Hertz Dolitzka of Kamina.
  • Their son, Shalom Noach, born in 5648 (1888). Registered in Kovna 5669 (1909). Married to Hinda, daughter of Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Hornstein.
  • Their son, Mordechai Bentzion, born in 5641 (1881). Same. Married Pesya daughter of Rabbi Aharon Perlmutter in 5669 (1909). Vinnitsa.
  • Their daughter Devorah Leah, wife of Rabbi Shlomo Hornstein.