Reb Hillel Paritcher

Rabbi Hillel HaLevi of Paritch (also known as Hillel Paritcher or Hillel of Alysov) (1795-1864) was one of the greatest Chabad Hasidic mentors (mashpi'im) of all time. He was a follower of the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, and the Tzemach Tzedek.

Early Years

Born to Rabbi Meir HaLevi of Alysov in 1795 in the Russian town of Hometz. From childhood, he devoted himself to Torah study and was known as "the prodigy of Hometz." He studied under the author of "Bat Ayin." According to Hasidic stories, Rabbi Hillel married before his bar mitzvah at age 11, earning him the nickname "the Chol HaMoed'nik" since he had a tallit before tefillin. By age 13, he was proficient in the entire Talmud and Jewish law, studied Kabbalah, mastered all the writings of the Arizal, and prayed with his kavvanot (mystical intentions). Following the custom of Kabbalists, he lived ascetically and engaged in fasting and self-mortification. Later, following his father's example, he traveled to the holy Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl and began following the path of Hasidism.

Drawing Close to the Alter Rebbe

Reb Hillel was a Chernobyl chassid, until one day he heard a review of a Chassidic discourse from the Alter Rebbe delivered by Rabbi Zalman Zezmer, and it captivated him deeply. Fearing his Rebbe's reaction, which indeed later proved to be harsh and severe, he fled from Chernobyl and would travel from town to town where the Alter Rebbe was expected to visit during his travels. However, in every town he reached, the Alter Rebbe had already preceded him and left the city. Because of this, they never met face to face. On one occasion, Rabbi Hillel decided to be clever and arrived at a planned town before the Alter Rebbe's arrival, and hid under the table where the Alter Rebbe was expected to deliver his Chassidic discourse. He had prepared a difficult question about Tractate Arachin that he wanted resolved. When the Alter Rebbe entered, he heard him say in his holy tune, "The young man who has a question in Tractate Arachin should first evaluate himself, and only afterward come and ask." When Rabbi Hillel heard this, he fainted on the spot under the table, and only regained consciousness after the Alter Rebbe had finished his profound Chassidic discourse and had already left the city.

Rabbi Hillel never met the Alter Rebbe but only heard the echo of his voice.

Therefore, Rabbi Hillel merited to connect only with the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek, while Rabbi Zalman Zezmer remained his primary mashpia (spiritual mentor). Regarding his question about the resentment of the Rebbe of Chernobyl, the Mitteler Rebbe answered him that if he (the Rebbe of Chernobyl) is truly a Rebbe, then he certainly does not hold a grudge. He began studying the Tanya of the Alter Rebbe and decided to learn and teach the Chabad Chassidic teachings. He was fortunate and made swift progress, becoming one of the greatest Chabad mashpiim (mentors) for generations. He recorded many discourses of the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek with his illuminating explanations and interpretations, in the tradition of mashpiim whose purpose was to elaborate on the words of their Rebbes extensively and in logical order.

With the Mitteler Rebbe

He spent three years working on achieving the level of "truly good" before traveling to Lubavitch to the Mitteler Rebbe. He settled near him and began serving as his emissary to Jewish settlements in the Kherson province, collecting funds for redeeming captives and supporting Jewish soldiers (Cantonists) with kosher food.

With the Tzemach Tzedek

Rabbi Abraham David Lavut (the Rebbe's great-great-grandfather) convinced the Tzemach Tzedek to send Rabbi Hillel annually to Russian cities to strengthen Torah and Judaism and spread Chabad teachings. Rabbi Hillel had great affection for him.

As Emissary to Jewish Settlements in Kherson Province

The Mitteler Rebbe appointed him as his representative to visit Jewish agricultural settlements in the Kherson province. He would travel there annually, inspiring Jews in divine service, including teaching Hasidic philosophy even to simple Jews who couldn't read or write.

His Passing

In 1864, the Ninth of Av fell on Thursday. Rabbi Hillel was in Nikolayev and felt weak. After the fast, he asked to be quickly transferred to Kherson, as he had a custom not to travel on Friday. He arrived in Kherson before noon on Friday, and on Saturday, the 11th of Av 1864, he returned his soul to his Creator. He is buried in Kherson.

With Rabbi Isaac of Homil

It is widely accepted among Hasidim that his closest friend was the great scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Homil. It was said that Rabbi Isaac of Homil was considered a "maskil" (intellectual), while Rabbi Hillel was considered an "oved" (servant of God). The Rebbe Rayatz explained that this didn't mean one was exclusively an intellectual and the other solely a worker, but rather that one began with intellectual understanding and was also a worker, while the other began with divine service and was also an intellectual.

His Students

• Rabbi Shalom Cohen, known as R' Shalom R' Hillel's
• Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Siminovsky, who published R' Hillel's teachings in "Imrei Noam"
• Rabbi Dov Zev Kozevnikov
• Rabbi Israel Isser Yaakov Klatzkin
• Rabbi Gershon Ber of Pahar
• Rabbi Asher Grossman of Nikolayev
• Rabbi DovBer Michlin

His Works

1. Imrei Noam - Discourses on Rosh Hashanah, Purim and the Seventh day of Passover
2. Likutei Biurim - Commentary on the books Kuntres HaHitpaalut and Ner Mitzvah v'Torah Or
3. Maamarei Hishtatchut
4. Pelach HaRimon - On Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Song of Songs
5. 248 Letters - Written by his student as heard directly from him

His Melodies

Rabbi Hillel composed nearly twenty niggunim (melodies) characterized by deep thought combined with emotional excitement and inspiration. One of his educational methods for young students sent to him by the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek was teaching them how to sing Hasidic melodies with heart-felt emotion.

Family

• His son: Rabbi Zalman
• His son-in-law: Rabbi Raphael Mordechai Schneerson
• His son-in-law: Rabbi Shaul Levin, Rabbi of Babruysk

Personal Conduct

Rabbi Hillel was extremely meticulous in observing every detail of Jewish law and custom, often going beyond basic requirements. He would not travel on roads built by the Czar and observed many fasts. He managed to control various aspects of his physical existence - for example, he trained himself to fall asleep at the appropriate time on Friday nights, following the custom of our Rebbes since this is a time of sleep in the higher realms.

His Influence

The Tzemach Tzedek had a famous saying about Rabbi Hillel - that he had "two and a half chassidim," with Rabbi Hillel being the "half" because he was "half a Rebbe" himself. This indicated his extraordinary spiritual level. When a chassid once claimed to follow a certain stringency because he was Rabbi Hillel's student, the Rebbe Maharash remarked that Rabbi Hillel had refined his nature over twenty-eight years.