Yaakov Menachem Mendel Sperlin

Rabbi Sperlin stands in the row of elderly Anash behind the Rebbe during a farbrengen (first from the left)

Rabbi Yaakov Menachem Mendel Sperlin (5657 - 4 Nissan 5750) was a Chasidic rabbi who served for many decades as a shochet and bodek (ritual slaughterer and inspector) in various towns.

Rabbi Sperlin in his later years during prayer in the main zal at 770

Life History

Rabbi Sperlin was born in the town of Druyia in 5657 to his father Rabbi Refael Moshe Sperlin. At the age of 16 in 5673, he began studying at Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim and learned in its various branches in Schedrin, Poltava, and Rostov.

In 5684, he completed his course of study at the yeshiva after receiving his rabbinic ordination. He married his wife Esther, the daughter of the Chasid Reb Yisrael Novik from Ushach. Beginning in 5685, he started serving as a rabbi and halachic authority in the town of Ushatz alongside his father-in-law, who was the town's rabbi.

After serving in the rabbinate for about two years, he began traveling between various towns where he worked as a shochet and bodek, including stays in Yalta (5687-5689), Kharkov, and the Caucasus.

After the end of World War II, he escaped across the borders of the Soviet Union during the "Exodus from Russia 5706" together with thousands of other Chasidim. He spent several months in refugee camps in Germany, and on 13 Kislev 5708, the Frierdiker Rebbe instructed him to travel to Paris until he would receive new instructions about where to continue his journey. In 5709, he settled in the United States. In 5716, he earned his livelihood from ritual slaughter in the town of Woodridge, and when he informed the Rebbe that he had begun spreading Yiddishkeit among the town's residents, he received a letter of encouragement from the Rebbe connecting his work in spreading Judaism with his livelihood from shechita.

Rabbi Sperlin lived to a ripe old age, passing away at age 93 on Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayikra, 4 Nissan 5750, after midday.