Yehudah Leib from Yanowitz
Rabbi Yehudah Leib Minowitz (the Maharil; 5509–5510 / 1749–1750 – early 5586 / 1826) was the brother of the Alter Rebbe. He was one of the heads of the "Chadarim" — the inner circles of advanced disciples — that the Alter Rebbe established, and one of the scribes who recorded (hiniach) the Alter Rebbe's Chassidic discourses. He served as rav of Yanowitz. He corresponded with many of the leading halachic authorities of his generation and authored numerous responsa, collected in his work Shaarit Yehudah.
Biography edit
Childhood edit
The Maharil was born in the town of Lyazna around 5509 or 5510 (1749–50).[1] His father was Rabbi Yisroel Baruch Posner and his mother was the Rebbetzin Rivka.
Little is known about the Maharil's early childhood. One of the well-known stories involving him and his brother the Alter Rebbe is that of the "White Spring" — so called because of a spring the two brothers discovered beneath a white stone.[2]
Alongside the Alter Rebbe edit
The Maharil served as rav in Yanowitz, but had already lived and studied in that town before taking up the rabbinate there.
It was the Maharil who advised the Alter Rebbe to travel to the Maggid of Mezeritch. However, on the road, the Alter Rebbe sent his brother home after discovering that he had set out without informing his wife.[3]
After the Alter Rebbe was appointed as Rebbe, the Maharil — in addition to his rabbinate in Yanowitz — took responsibility for Cheder Beis, the second of the Alter Rebbe's inner study circles. He also served as examiner and admissions gatekeeper for the Chadarim, and his admission standards were exceptionally rigorous, requiring "comprehensive knowledge of Chassidus and Gemara, Zohar, Midrash and Shulchan Aruch, as well as the Kuzari, Ikkarim, and Moreh Nevuchim." Given the Maharil's formidable erudition, it was extremely demanding to study in that circle.
The Maharil also served as an intermediary between the Chassidim and the Alter Rebbe. He was the chief gabbai — the Rebbe's personal secretary and household manager — and all matters pertaining to the Alter Rebbe's household were decided through him.
He likewise oversaw the editing of the Shulchan Aruch HaRav and its source references, as well as the halachic questions that were directed to the Alter Rebbe.
The Maharil transcribed (hiniach) the Chassidic discourses delivered by the Alter Rebbe, and the Alter Rebbe would at times review and correct his notes. As the Tzemach Tzedek writes in his responsa (Choshen Mishpat, §70): "The Rebbe of blessed memory — his discourses were transcribed by his brother the Maharil, and he [the Alter Rebbe] would complete them for him to distribute among all who heard them." From these transcriptions, the Tzemach Tzedek later compiled the works Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah.
In the Time of the Mitteler Rebbe edit
During the dispute between Rabbi Aaron of Staroshelye and the Mitteler Rebbe[4] over the rightful leadership of Chabad Chassidus following the Alter Rebbe's histalkus, the Maharil wrote a sharp letter to Rabbi Aaron, stating: "I know full well how much it was my brother's wish that his son, the Moharad, should continue his path."
The Maharil once remarked of the Mitteler Rebbe's Chassidic discourses: "Not every mind can bear this" — an expression of the extraordinary depth of those teachings.
Passing edit
The Maharil lived until 5586 (1826). The exact date of his passing is not known. He is buried in Yanowitz.
His Torah Works edit
His writings in revealed Torah law (nigleh) were collected and published for the first time in Vilna in 5601 (1841), in a work entitled Shaarit Yehudah. A new edition was published in 5717 (1957) by the Rebbe, and a further revised edition appeared in 5769 (2009).
Family edit
- His son, Rabbi Yeshaya. Passed away 5590 (1830). His wife: Malya, daughter of R' Shlomo.
- His son, Rabbi Ze'ev Wolf Schneerson, who printed the responsa Shaarit Yehudah. Passed away in the Land of Israel, 6 Elul 5642 (1882). His wife: Ita, daughter of R' Leib. His sons: Yehudah Leib, Schneur Zalman, Yeshaya-Moshe (his wife: Feiga, daughter of R' Raphael; his daughters: Gena, Mirka), Zelig (his wife: Chana, daughter of R' Avraham; their daughter: Sheina).
- His son, Yosel Schneerson. Passed away 5605 (1845). His wife: Tamara, daughter of R' Moshe.
- His son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel.
- His daughter. Married to Mordechai-Mendel, son of R' Shmuel Schneerson. Commandant of Yanowitz, 5594 (1834).
- His son-in-law (or possibly the son-in-law of one of his sons): R' Yaakov Mordechai Twerr (born 5554 / 1794), who emigrated to the Land of Israel with his family in 5592 (1832). His sons: R' Schneur Zalman Zinger (5573–5644 / 1813–1884), R' Shaul Brimtz (5583–5656 / 1823–1896), R' Yisroel Brimtz (born 5588 / 1828), and R' Yehudah Leib Brimtz (born 5593 / 1833).
External Links edit
- Beis Rebbe, p. 55
- Menachem Bronfman, On the figure of the most senior disciple who stood at the Alter Rebbe's side — his brother the Maharil, at Alysefer.
- Kuntres Roshei Perakim MeToldos Arba'ah Mechabbrim [Biographical outlines of four authors]
Notes edit
- ↑ This is inferred from a story cited by the Frierdiker Rebbe (Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 87), which took place when the Alter Rebbe was seven years old and the Maharil was three — placing his birth approximately four years after the Alter Rebbe's birth in 5505 (1745).
- ↑ The story was printed in Sefer HaMaamarim 5709, p. 87.
- ↑ Chaim Meir Heilman, Beis Rebbe, Berdichev: Ch. Y. Sheftil, 5662 (1902), p. 3.
- ↑ This dispute led Rabbi Aaron to found a distinct branch of Chabad-style Chassidus — Staroshelye Chassidus.