יום חמישי י"ח באדר ב תשפ"ד 28/03/2024
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  • The Mission Continues

    As in the past so it remains today - we were and still are under the selfsame commitment to adhere to the directions of the Gedolei Yisrael, who stand guard against breaches of purity threatening our camp. When we were required to ask – we asked. When we were instructed to depart – we left. The moment we are summoned back to raise the flag, every other consideration is pushed to the side and we answer: We are ready!

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בראי היום

  • Harav Yisrael Friedman zy”a, the Rebbe of Husyatin

    מוטי, ויקיפדיה העברית

    The ancestral chain of Harav Yisrael Friedman, the founder of the Husyatin chassidic court, originates with the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Husyatin chassidus has its roots in Galicia and eventually came to Tel Aviv, during the turbulent years between the two World Wars.

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  • Maccabi'im Gravesite

    In honour of Chanukah, we will discuss a fascinating, ongoing investigation attempting to establish the place of burial of Mattisyahu Kohen Gadol and his family.

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Reflections

Rabbi Pinchas Shapiro of Koritz

Rabbi Pinchas Shapiro of Koritz was a disciple of the holy Baal Shem Tov and was thought of as one of the greatest tzaddikim of his generation.

M. Shorek 30/08/2009 13:20
History

Rabbi Pinchas Shapiro was born in 5486 in the village of Shklov, Belarus. His father was Rabbi Avraham Abba, a descendant of Rabbi Nassan Shapiro, author of 'Megaleh Amukos'.

His parents, like all other Jews in the village, were staunch misnagdim and little Pinchas was brought up in the light of the Torah, the Talmud and the poskim.

Even at a tender age, little Pinchas was known for his comprehensive understanding and deep commentaries on the Torah. When he was a young boy, his family was forced to leave the village due to a blood libel against them.
The family fled to the city of Miropol in Vohlin. It was there that Rabbi Pinchas and his father discovered Chassidism and grew steadily closer to the holy Baal Shem Tov. Before long, they were both proud disciples of the Baal Shem. Rabbi Pinchas was one of the sixty disciples of the Baal Shem Tov who were referred to as 'the sixty heroes'. Despite the fact that Rabbi Pinchas was greatly influenced by the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Yaakov of Polnea, he developed his own unique lifestyle and philosophy.

It is told that before the passing of the Baal Shem Tov, his faithful disciple Rabbi David of Ostrea entered his room and asked: "Rabbi and master, with whom will you leave us?" and the Baal Shem Tov answered: "There is a bear in the wood and a scholar named Pinchas". The pupil understood that the Baal Shem Tov was referring to Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch and Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz.

For a living, Rabbi Pinchas served as a melamed (teacher) and was called 'the Black Melamed'. He eventually settled in the city of Koritz and after a while, relocated to Ostrea where he remained for over twenty years.

In the year of 5551, Rabbi Pinchas left Ostrea for Israel; however he did not survive the journey and passed away in Shpitovka on the 10th of Elul.

A famous story has it that Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Shpitovka, who was a disciple of Rabbi Pinchas, was in Israel at the time of his rabbi's passing. On the night of Rabbi Pinchas' death, Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon dreamed of a woman who was weeping over the death of her dear beloved husband who had passed away. Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon immediately awakened and said: "It is surely Rabbi Pinchas who has passed away".

His Greatness and Humbleness

Rabbi Pinchas' profound wisdom was known throughout the Jewish world. His influence on the community was great, particularly in the Chassidic community. Many Jews in distress would seek his advice and blessings, and despite the throngs of people who would knock on his door, Rabbi Pinchas was always extremely humble and modest. He intentionally did not build a synagogue for himself and his followers so that he would not be crowned Chassidic Master.
Rabbi Pinchas always saw only the good in every person, however difficult that might have been. The Jewish water carrier of the village, a man named Herschele, was extremely uncivil and rude and the local towns-people could not stand his presence. Once, as he brought water to Rabbi Pinchas' house, the Rebbetzin became angry at him and began shouting. When Rabbi Pinchas heard the shouts he said to his wife: "Are you screaming at Herschele? How could you do that! He is such a precious Jew and I really envy him. I wish I could be as humble and modest as him!"

His Teachings

No organized books were left by Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz, however several of his commentaries and thoughts were collected in the book 'Imrei Pinchas'