Lelov (Hasidic dynasty)

Lelov is the name of a Hasidic dynasty which traces its origins to Rabbi Dovid Biderman (1746-1814) of Lelów, Poland.

The Lelover dynasty migrated from Poland to Jerusalem when Rabbi Dovid's son, Rabbi Moshe Biderman (1776-1851), moved there in the last year of his life. Rabbi Moshe Biderman of Lelov was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz, known as the Holy Jew of Prshischa. Today there are several Lelover Rebbes, in Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, and New York City.

History

Rabbi Dovid of Lelov was a disciple of the Seer of Lublin, a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, who was a disciple of the Magid of Mezritsh, the successor to and leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism.

There is a Hasidic legend that Napoleon Bonaparte asked Rabbi Dovid of Lelov if he would be successful in his conquest of Russia. The rebbe told the Emperor that he would not. After Napoleon's defeat, he allegedly passed through Lelov and told the Rebbe that he was indeed correct. He then gave the Rebbe his velvet cloak. The Hasidim say that Rabbi Moshe of Lelov, the son of Rabbi Dovid, took the cloak to Jerusalem with him, and made the cover for the Holy Ark in his synagogue from it.^[1]

The early Lelover Rebbes (starting with Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Shlomo) were followers of the Karliner Rebbe; whenever the latter came to Land of Israel, the Lelover Rebbe would go to visit him.

Outline of Lelover dynasty

• Grand Rabbi Dovid (David) of Lelov (1746-1814)
  • Grand Rabbi Moshe Biderman of Lelov (1776-1851)
    • Grand Rabbi Eleazar Mendel Biderman of Lelov (1827-1882)
      • Grand Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Shlomo Biderman of Lelov (1844-1918)
        • Grand Rabbi Shimon Noson Nuta Biderman of Lelov (1870-1929)
          • Grand Rabbi Pinchos Chaim Biderman of Lelov
          • Grand Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Biderman of Lelov and Karlin (1903-1987). Rebbe in Tel Aviv for many years, later moving to Bnei Brak, where he prayed in the beis medrash of his son, Rebbe Alter Eloozor Menachem. The children of Rabbi Moshe Mordechai are: Rebbetzin Chana Kopp, Reb Avrohom Shlomo, Reb Shimon Noson Nuta, Rab Dovid Tzi Yisroel (1933-1993), Rebbetzin Rivka Aroonchik, Reb Pinchos Yitzchok (the Rebbe of Nikolsburg), Reb Alter Elozor Menachem, Reb Berel, Reb Shmelke, Rebbetzin Nechama Ruchama. (One child died of hunger while the family lived in Jerusalem's old city. Avraham Parshan a public service activist became aware of the rabbi's children's poor condition through Yosef Eliyahu Deutch and they worked to alleviate the rabbi's financial hardship).
            • Grand Rabbi Avrohom Shlomo Biderman of Lelov-Jerusalem (Zephania Street) (1927-2000). Oldest son of Rebbe Moshe Mordechai. Son in law of Rebbe Yehuda Zundel Hager of Savran.
              • Grand Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Ayzik Biderman of Lelov-Jerusalem (Zephania Street)
              • Grand Rabbi Shimon Noson Nuta Biderman of Lelov-Beitar (1960-2008)
            • Grand Rabbi Shimon Noson Nuta Biderman of Lelov-Bnei Brak and Karlin (1931-2009). Died suddenly on the night of Yom Kippur (09/28/09), after leading the prayers.
            • Grand Rabbi Alter Elozor Menachem Biderman of Lelov in Bnei Brak (1935-2001). Studied in the Tiferes Tzion yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where he was very close to the Chazon Ish. In 1958, he married the daughter of Rabbi Shimon Aharon Hershkowitz.
              • Grand Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Shlomo (Naftoli) Biderman of Lelov
              • Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Biderman of Lelov in America
            • Grand Rabbi Pinchos Yitzchok Biderman of Nikolsburg
            • Rabbi Y. D. Biderman
          • Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Biderman of Lelov (1907-1981)
            • Grand Rabbi Shimon Noson Nuta Biderman of Lelov-Jerusalem (1930-2004)
  • Rabbi Nechemyo
  • Rabbi Avigdor

See also

• History of the Jews in Poland
• Boston (Hasidic dynasty)

References

• A Chassidic journey : the Polish Chassidic dynasties of Lublin, Lelov, Nikolsburg and Boston. Based on Shalsheles Boston by Meir Valach, translated by Eliezer Shore. New York : Feldheim, 2002 ISBN 978-1-58330-568-3