Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk

Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (sometimes called RMM of Horodok) (1730-1788) became the "leader of the chassidim" after his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch's passing. He greatly influenced Lithuanian and Belarusian Jewry, expanding the Chassidic movement there.

Known for his humility, he signed every letter as "truly lowly" and requested only his name be written on his matzeiva.

Life History edit

Born in Vitebsk around 1730 to Reb Moshe, a close follower of the Baal Shem Tov. At age nine, he visited the Baal Shem Tov's home.

He learned primarily from the Maggid of Mezritch. During the Maggid's time, he lived in Minsk. After the Maggid's passing, he returned to Vitebsk and settled in nearby Horodok, where he led thousands of chassidim, including prominent talmidim of the Maggid like the Alter Rebbe.

The Alter Rebbe and Reb Menachem Mendel edit

After the Maggid's passing, the Alter Rebbe was his chassid for a time and signed a hiskashrus to him. He stayed with Reb Menachem Mendel alongside his friend and former teacher, Reb Yissachar Ber of Lubavitch.

When R' Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl asked the Alter Rebbe about Reb Mendel's powers, the Alter Rebbe explained that Reb Mendel could know everyone's thoughts, their lifetime of thoughts, and even all thoughts that had occurred or would occur in any house he entered - which greatly impressed R' Nachum.

In 1776, Reb Menachem Mendel appointed the Alter Rebbe as leader of the chassidim in Russia.

In 1777, he traveled with the Alter Rebbe to Vilna to explain Chassidus to the Vilna Gaon, who refused to meet them. Due to growing opposition, he decided to avoid conflict by making aliyah. The Alter Rebbe joined the group but was convinced to stay near the Dnieper River to lead the chassidim in Belarus and Lithuania.

In Eretz Yisrael edit

He led 300 chassidim to Eretz Yisrael in Adar 1777, arriving on 5 Elul. They first settled in Peki'in, then Tzfat, and finally Teveria due to persecution and community tensions.

He maintained close contact with his chassidim through messengers and letters, while the Alter Rebbe collected funds for them abroad.

Passing edit

Before his passing, he requested everyone leave his room, saying "Hashem stands before me." He passed away an hour later on Monday, Rosh Chodesh Iyar 1788, survived by his only son Reb Moshe. He was buried in the old cemetery in Teveria in the Baal Shem Tov's talmidim section.

His kever was renovated on Thursday, 1 Iyar 2013, marking 225 years since his passing.

After His Passing edit

The Alter Rebbe sent a letter consoling those in Eretz Hakodesh. Rebbetzin Devorah Leah noted that her son, the Tzemach Tzedek, was the first in Beis Rebbe named after Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk.

The Tzemach Tzedek praised him highly, saying "When speaking of Reb Mendel, many candles must be lit, for he was a true tzaddik and a true light."

His Seforim edit

Pri Ha'aretz (Kopust 1814)
Pri Eitz (Zhitomir 1874)
Likutei Amarim (Lvov 1911)

His Niggunim edit

Niggun Hishtapchus Hanefesh