Rav Yisroel Shapiro of Gradzisk zt"l
הרב ישראל בן חיים מאיר יחיאל מגרודז'יסק זצ"ל
Tishrei 19 , 5702
Known As: Binas Yisroel
Father's Name: Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro
Rav Yisroel Shapiro of Gradzisk zt"l
Rav Yisrael Shapiro of Grodzhisk, the son of Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro of Grodzhisk, was born in 5634 (1874). He was the son-in-law of Rav Asher Perlow of Stolin.
Orphaned of his father at a young age, Rav Yisrael was raised by his grandfather, Rav Yitzchak of Bohush. He received his primary chassidic training and education from his other grandfather, Rav Elimelech of Grodzhisk, and upon his passing in 5652 (1891), he was crowned as rebbe in Grodzhisk.
Rav Yisrael was a gadol b’Torah. He had exemplary middos and a refined character. He was multi-talented, knew how to play music, and attracted thousands of Chassidim and followers.
When the First World War broke out, in 5674 (1914), he moved to Warsaw and reestablished his large court there. He also established special chadarim for the children of his Chassidim, where they were taught by a specific methodology of chinuch.
He authored and published several volumes of chiddushim during his lifetime, entitled Emunas Yisrael and Binas Yisrael.
When the Germans entered Poland in the Second World War, Rav Yisrael was sent to the Warsaw ghetto, where he continued his Chassidic activities. The Chassidim attempted to save his life and even arranged forged travel documents and permits for him, but he refused to leave his Chassidim behind. Even after he was sent to the Treblinka death camp, his followers continued trying to find ways to save him.
According to an eyewitness account, during this horrific period, a Jew asked him, “Rebbe, what do you say now?” He answered: “Listen my brothers and sisters, exalted people of G-d and Hashem’s nation. It is not up to us to question Hashem and doubt His actions. If it has been decreed that we shall serve as sacrificial offerings, korbanos of the ‘birth pangs of Mashiach’ to hasten the coming redemption by climbing the ramp to the fire and being cast to the flames, happy and praiseworthy are we that we merited this. Chazal say, “May it arrive and may I not see it” refers to the time just before the final redemption; but for we who live in these times, to reach this level of sacrifice we must rejoice and be b’simchah that we shall merit to purify all of Am Yisrael. I urge you not to resist and not to cry as you approach the fiery ovens. Rather rejoice and sing Ani Maamin and do as Rabbi Akiva did upon his martyrdom, reciting the Shema Yisrael, and dying with word Echad on his lips!”
His son, Rav Avraham Elimelech, moved to Eretz Yisrael before the Holocaust, and after he learned of his father’s murder he agreed to serve as Grodzhisker Rebbe. Rav Yisrael’s daughter, Chaya Miriam, was the wife of Rav Moshe Yechiel Elimelech Rabinowitz of Levertov.
Rav Yisrael Shapiro of Grodzhisk, HY”D, perished in the Holocaust in Treblinka around the 19th of Tishrei (others say Elul), 5702 (1942).