The Maharil (brother of the Alter Rebbe): Difference between revisions

 

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Minovitz (The Maharil; 1749/1750 - early 1826) was the brother of [[the Alter Rebbe]]. He was one of the heads of the "chadarim" established by the Alter Rebbe, and one of the writers of "hanachos" from his maamarim. He served as the Rav of Yanovitch. He corresponded with many Torah giants of his generation and wrote many halachic responsa, which were published in his sefer "She'eris Yehuda."

The Maharil was the one who advised the Alter Rebbe to travel to the Maggid of Mezritch, but while on the way, his brother ordered him to return home after it became clear that he had left without informing his wife.

After the Alter Rebbe's appointment as Rebbe, the Maharil served, in addition to his rabbinical position in Yanovitch, as responsible for the Alter Rebbe's second cheder. The Maharil also served as examiner and admissions officer for the Alter Rebbe's chadarim, and his admission requirements were particularly strict and included "comprehensive knowledge in Chassidus and Gemara, in Zohar, Midrash and Shulchan Aruch, in Kuzari, Ikarim and Moreh Nevuchim." It was very difficult to stay in this cheder due to the Maharil's tremendous genius.

The Maharil would write ('haniach') the Chassidic discourses that the Alter Rebbe said, and sometimes the Alter Rebbe would edit his notes, as the Tzemach Tzedek writes in his responsa (Choshen Mishpat chapter 70): "The Admor N"E - his sermons were written by his brother the Maharil and he would pay him to distribute them in Israel to all listeners." From these notes, the Tzemach Tzedek edited the seforim Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah.