Baruch of Mezhybizh - Revision history

Raphaelwilmowsky at 16:16, 16 June 2026

2026-06-16T16:16:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 16 June 2026
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	== Life ==		== Life ==

	He was born in [[Mezhybizh]] (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi [[Yechiel Ashkenazi]] and his mother [[Adel (the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov)\|Adel]], daughter of the [[Baal Shem Tov]].		He was born in [[Mezhybizh]] (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel Ashkenazi (Son in law of the Baal Shem Tov)\|Yechiel Ashkenazi]] and his mother [[Adel (the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov)\|Adel]], daughter of the [[Baal Shem Tov]].

	When his parents asked the Besht which tractate to begin teaching the young Baruch, the Besht replied: ''[[Bava Kamma]]'' — and added that the letters of that name formed an acronym: ''Baruch ben Adel kadosh mibeten imo'' — "Baruch, son of Adel, holy from his mother's womb."		When his parents asked the Besht which tractate to begin teaching the young Baruch, the Besht replied: ''[[Bava Kamma]]'' — and added that the letters of that name formed an acronym: ''Baruch ben Adel kadosh mibeten imo'' — "Baruch, son of Adel, holy from his mother's womb."
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	== Notes ==		== Notes ==
	<references/>		<references/>
			[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז']]
	[[Category: ~~Family~~ of the Baal Shem Tov]]		[[Category:Disciples of the Baal Shem Tov]]
	[[Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]		[[Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]
	[[Category:~~Personalities in Mezhybizh]]~~		[[Category:Family of the Baal Shem Tov]]
	~~[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז'~~]]

Raphaelwilmowsky at 16:07, 16 June 2026

2026-06-16T16:07:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:07, 16 June 2026
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	<references/>		<references/>

	[[~~index.php?title=~~Category:Family of the Baal Shem Tov]]		[[Category: Family of the Baal Shem Tov]]
	[[~~index.php?title=~~Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]		[[Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]
	[[~~index.php?title=~~Category:Personalities in Mezhybizh]]		[[Category:Personalities in Mezhybizh]]
	[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז']]		[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז']]

Raphaelwilmowsky at 16:06, 16 June 2026

2026-06-16T16:06:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 16 June 2026
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	== Life ==		== Life ==

	He was born in [[Mezhybizh]] (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi [[Yechiel Ashkenazi]] and his mother [[Adel]], daughter of the [[Baal Shem Tov]].		He was born in [[Mezhybizh]] (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi [[Yechiel Ashkenazi]] and his mother [[Adel (the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov)\|Adel]], daughter of the [[Baal Shem Tov]].

	When his parents asked the Besht which tractate to begin teaching the young Baruch, the Besht replied: ''[[Bava Kamma]]'' — and added that the letters of that name formed an acronym: ''Baruch ben Adel kadosh mibeten imo'' — "Baruch, son of Adel, holy from his mother's womb."		When his parents asked the Besht which tractate to begin teaching the young Baruch, the Besht replied: ''[[Bava Kamma]]'' — and added that the letters of that name formed an acronym: ''Baruch ben Adel kadosh mibeten imo'' — "Baruch, son of Adel, holy from his mother's womb."

	He was still a child when his grandfather the Baal Shem Tov passed away. He spent a brief time in the court of the [[Maggid of Mezeritch]], then moved to Ostrog.		He was still a child when his grandfather the Baal Shem Tov passed away. He spent a brief time in the court of the [[The Maggid of Mezeritch\|Maggid of Mezeritch]], then moved to Ostrog.

	In [[Cheshvan]] of [[1780]] ('''תק"מ''') he settled in Tulchin (Ukraine), and at the urging of local Chassidim began to serve as [[Rebbe]].		In [[Cheshvan]] of [[1780]] ('''תק"מ''') he settled in Tulchin (Ukraine), and at the urging of local Chassidim began to serve as [[Rebbe]].
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	The great Tzaddikim of his generation spoke in the highest terms of Rabbi Baruch's exalted hidden service through the spiritual dimension of ''rogez'' — a fierce, burning intensity. It is even told that [[Elijah the Prophet]] appeared to him once during such a moment. When Rabbi Baruch passed away, his holy finger was resting on the words in the sacred [[Zohar]]: ''Is rogza d'iskari Baruch'' — "there is a form of rogez that is called Baruch."		The great Tzaddikim of his generation spoke in the highest terms of Rabbi Baruch's exalted hidden service through the spiritual dimension of ''rogez'' — a fierce, burning intensity. It is even told that [[Elijah the Prophet]] appeared to him once during such a moment. When Rabbi Baruch passed away, his holy finger was resting on the words in the sacred [[Zohar]]: ''Is rogza d'iskari Baruch'' — "there is a form of rogez that is called Baruch."

	At first he was among the close associates of the [[Alter Rebbe]] — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi — and praised the ''[[Tanya]]'', calling it ''the book of the intellect.''<ref>''Beis Rebbi'', ch. 21, note 4.</ref> The two maintained a correspondence.<ref>See ''Igros Kodesh of the Alter Rebbe'', letter 89 (in the 1980 edition: letter 51).</ref> However, when he heard that the Rebbetzin [[Freida (daughter of the Alter Rebbe)]] was publicly teaching Chassidus, he objected sharply. His opposition to the Alter Rebbe intensified further over disagreements regarding financial support for the Chassidim who had emigrated to the Land of Israel with Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk.<ref>See the book ''[[Massei Berditchov]]''.</ref>		At first he was among the close associates of the [[Alter Rebbe]] — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi — and praised the ''[[Tanya]]'', calling it ''the book of the intellect.''<ref>''Beis Rebbi'', ch. 21, note 4.</ref> The two maintained a correspondence.<ref>See ''Igros Kodesh of the Alter Rebbe'', letter 89 (in the 1980 edition: letter 51).</ref> However, when he heard that the Rebbetzin [[Rebbetzin Freida Kluzker\|Freida (daughter of the Alter Rebbe)]] was publicly teaching Chassidus, he objected sharply. His opposition to the Alter Rebbe intensified further over disagreements regarding financial support for the Chassidim who had emigrated to the Land of Israel with Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk.<ref>See the book ''[[Massei Berditchov]]''.</ref>

	After that dispute, the two reconciled and even met in person — but the rift reopened sometime later.<ref>''Beis Rebbi'', ch. 21. The author notes that it is a tradition among Chassidim that this dispute brought about both the burning of most of the Alter Rebbe's responsa, and the passing of Rebbetzin Raizel, Rabbi Baruch's daughter.</ref>		After that dispute, the two reconciled and even met in person — but the rift reopened sometime later.<ref>''Beis Rebbi'', ch. 21. The author notes that it is a tradition among Chassidim that this dispute brought about both the burning of most of the Alter Rebbe's responsa, and the passing of Rebbetzin Raizel, Rabbi Baruch's daughter.</ref>
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	<references/>		<references/>

	[[Category:Family of the Baal Shem Tov]]		[[index.php?title=Category:Family of the Baal Shem Tov]]
	[[Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]		[[index.php?title=Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]
	[[Category:Personalities in Mezhybizh]]		[[index.php?title=Category:Personalities in Mezhybizh]]
	[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז']]		[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז']]

Raphaelwilmowsky: Created page with "The ohel of the Baal Shem Tov, which also houses the resting place of Rabbi Baruch Rabbi '''Baruch of Mezhybizh''' (1757 – 18 Kislev 1811; '''תקי"ז – י"ח כסלו תקע"ב''') was a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. == Life == He was born in Mezhybizh (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi Yechiel Ashkenazi and his mother Adel, daughter of the Baal Shem Tov. When his parents asked the Besht whic..."

2026-06-16T16:04:34Z

Created page with "left|thumb|250px|The ohel of the Baal Shem Tov, which also houses the resting place of Rabbi Baruch Rabbi '''Baruch of Mezhybizh''' (1757 – 18 Kislev 1811; '''תקי"ז – י"ח כסלו תקע"ב''') was a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. == Life == He was born in Mezhybizh (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi Yechiel Ashkenazi and his mother Adel, daughter of the Baal Shem Tov. When his parents asked the Besht whic..."

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[[File:מזיבוז.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The ohel of the Baal Shem Tov, which also houses the resting place of Rabbi Baruch]]
Rabbi '''Baruch of Mezhybizh''' ([[1757]] – [[18 Kislev]] [[1811]]; '''תקי"ז – י"ח כסלו תקע"ב''') was a grandson of the [[Baal Shem Tov]].

== Life ==

He was born in [[Mezhybizh]] (Ukraine) to his father Rabbi [[Yechiel Ashkenazi]] and his mother [[Adel]], daughter of the [[Baal Shem Tov]].

When his parents asked the Besht which tractate to begin teaching the young Baruch, the Besht replied: ''[[Bava Kamma]]'' — and added that the letters of that name formed an acronym: ''Baruch ben Adel kadosh mibeten imo'' — "Baruch, son of Adel, holy from his mother's womb."

He was still a child when his grandfather the Baal Shem Tov passed away. He spent a brief time in the court of the [[Maggid of Mezeritch]], then moved to Ostrog.

In [[Cheshvan]] of [[1780]] ('''תק"מ''') he settled in Tulchin (Ukraine), and at the urging of local Chassidim began to serve as [[Rebbe]].

In [[1800]] ('''תק"ס''') he relocated his court to [[Mezhybizh]].

Rabbi Baruch was deeply rooted in the path of his grandfather the Baal Shem Tov, and before long thousands of Chassidim from near and far streamed to his door.

== His Way of Serving G‑d ==

His conduct was stern by nature, and he frequently gave the outward impression of cursing.

He would regularly speak disparagingly of the holy Rabbi [[Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev]] — yet whenever the two actually met, Rabbi Baruch would yield to him and show him great honor. After Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's passing, Rabbi Baruch tore his garments in mourning, and explained: during his lifetime, he had disparaged him because angels and seraphim had envied Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's divine service and prosecuted against him in the heavenly court, seeking his removal from this world. By speaking against him publicly, Rabbi Baruch had sought to neutralize that prosecution.<ref>''Kesavim of R' Y. Shochet''.</ref>

The great Tzaddikim of his generation spoke in the highest terms of Rabbi Baruch's exalted hidden service through the spiritual dimension of ''rogez'' — a fierce, burning intensity. It is even told that [[Elijah the Prophet]] appeared to him once during such a moment. When Rabbi Baruch passed away, his holy finger was resting on the words in the sacred [[Zohar]]: ''Is rogza d'iskari Baruch'' — "there is a form of rogez that is called Baruch."

At first he was among the close associates of the [[Alter Rebbe]] — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi — and praised the ''[[Tanya]]'', calling it ''the book of the intellect.''<ref>''Beis Rebbi'', ch. 21, note 4.</ref> The two maintained a correspondence.<ref>See ''Igros Kodesh of the Alter Rebbe'', letter 89 (in the 1980 edition: letter 51).</ref> However, when he heard that the Rebbetzin [[Freida (daughter of the Alter Rebbe)]] was publicly teaching Chassidus, he objected sharply. His opposition to the Alter Rebbe intensified further over disagreements regarding financial support for the Chassidim who had emigrated to the Land of Israel with Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk.<ref>See the book ''[[Massei Berditchov]]''.</ref>

After that dispute, the two reconciled and even met in person — but the rift reopened sometime later.<ref>''Beis Rebbi'', ch. 21. The author notes that it is a tradition among Chassidim that this dispute brought about both the burning of most of the Alter Rebbe's responsa, and the passing of Rebbetzin Raizel, Rabbi Baruch's daughter.</ref>

After settling in Mezhybizh, Rabbi Baruch carried himself with great dignity. His holy and hidden service was expressed outwardly through expansiveness, a lightness of spirit, and humor — the legendary jester Hershel of Ostropol lived for a time in his court.

It is widely related that Rabbi Baruch carried a profound grief over the destruction of the Temple and labored greatly to hasten the [[Redemption]] — until his grandfather the Baal Shem Tov appeared to him and told him to cease those efforts,<ref>Apparently based on the passage in [[Tractate Ketubot]] [http://hebrewbooks.org/shas.aspx?mesechta=15&daf=111&format=pdf 111a] — "not to press for the End." See also the letter of the [[Rebbe Rashab]] in ''Ohr LiYesharim'', which derives the halachic ruling that there is a prohibition against forcing the End.</ref> for the time had not yet come. This was a source of deep anguish to him and is said to have contributed to his illness.<ref>''Gezah Kodesh'' by R.M.Y. Gutman, p. 26.</ref>

When he fell ill he refused to consult physicians or use medicine, and he passed away in [[1811]] ('''תקע"ב''').

== His Works ==
* '''''Butzina DeNehora''''' ("A Lamp of Light"): a collection of his Torah teachings and sayings, compiled after his passing.

== Further Reading ==
* '''Massei Berditchov''', 2017, [[Yehoshua Mondshine]].
* Booklet published by ''Va'ad Chayalei Beis Dovid'', Tzfas branch, 2015.

== External Links ==
* [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=29063&st=&pgnum=58&hilite= An episode involving Rabbi Baruch and the Alter Rebbe], in ''[[Sefer HaTzetza'im]]''.

== Notes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Family of the Baal Shem Tov]]
[[Category:Disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch]]
[[Category:Personalities in Mezhybizh]]
[[he: ברוך ממז'יבוז']]