Rav Yaakov Aryeh Gutterman of Radzimin zt"l
הרב יעקב אריה בן שלמה גוטרמן זצ"ל
Tammuz 18 , 5637
Rav Yaakov Aryeh Gutterman of Radzimin zt"l
Author of Divrei Aviv Bikurei Aviv
Son of Rav Shlomo Gutterman
Son-in-law of Rav Beirish Rav of Ritschival
Born תקנ''ב 1792 in Vurka
Rav Yaakov Aryeh became a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin from a young age, as well as a talmid of as the Kozhnitzer Maggid who participated in his chasuna, and also a chassid of the Yid HaKadosh.
Even back then, the Chozeh received him with great hislahavus (enthusiasm) and declared that he was possessed of a very lofty soul. The Chozeh predicted that as Rav Yaakov Aryeh would continue to grow in stature and actualize himself, he would amaze the entire world.
After the passing of these rebbes, he continued on to Rav Bunim of Peshischah who was among those who crowned Rav Yaakov Areyeh with the mantle of leadership.
The Radziminer once said about his rebbes and mentors:
The Chozeh hid himself under the guise of ruach hakodesh; the Yid HaKadosh hid himself under the guise of genius and gaonus; however, when it came to Rav Bunim, chassidim saw Chassidus in its original authentic form. He called him the heilige rebbe. When the rebbe lost his eye sight, the Radziminer used to read him Midrashim.
After Rav Bunim’s passing, the Chassidus split; some went to the Kotzker and others travelled to Rav Bunim’s son, Rav Avraham Moshe. Rav Yaakov Aryeh of Radzimin cosigned the letter to preserve achdus and remained with Rav Bunim’s son, and after his passing, went on to Rav Yitzchok of Skver. After the Skver Rebbe passed away, many looked to him and saw him as the next leader, and so he began to lead his own followers as rebbe.
He was known as a miracle worker. Word of the wonders he performed spread quickly and even other tzaddikim and disciples of the Peshischa derech sent chassidim to him who were looking for guidance and were in need or miracles.
He served as Rav in Ritshival, assuming his father-in-law’s position, and afterwards when he became rebbe, he moved to Radzimin.
After the Kotzker passed away in תרי''ט, and after him, the Chiddushei HaRim of Ger in תרכ''ו, many new followers and chassidim joined Radzimin. He was considered one of the eldest rebbes, and during this period, he prescribed kameo amulets and refuos to heal the sick. Stories of his wonders and miracles were collected and published as Maasim Noraim in Pietrokov תרע''ד.
His divrei Torah was collected and published in Bikurei Aviv and Divrei Aviv.
He passed away on erev Shabbos kodesh, Chai Tammuz תרל''ד laid to rest in Gensha Warsaw.
Among his disciples were: Rav Yaakov Yitzchok of Biala, Rav Yerachmiel Yisroel Yitzchok of Alexander, Rav Hillel Moshe Meshel Gelbstein of Bialostock.
His son, Rav Shlomo Gutterman of Radzimin, succeeded him.