Rav Yisrael Friedman zt"l
הרב ישראל בן דוד משה פרידמאן זצ"ל
Kislev 13 , 5694
Rav Yisrael Friedman zt"l
Rav Yisrael was born on 10 Iyar 5614/1854, the son of Rav Dovid Moshe Friedman of Chortkov, and the grandson of Rav Yisrael of Rizhin, founder of the Rizhiner dynasty. He later became the son-in-law of his uncle, Rav Avrohom Yaakov Friedman of Sadigura.
His uncle (and future father-in-law) exclaimed in wonder at the child prodigy, whose birth left an impression on the entire Rizhiner dynasty: “All those named Yisrael were a novelty, but this Yisrael is a chiddush bachiddushim – a novelty even among novelties!”
He was recognized as a godol baTorah even in his youth; he hid his stature from others, however, at his father’s behest.
In 5654, on Hoshana Rabba night, at his father’s request, he began to take upon himself the mantle of leadership and accepted the role of Rebbe. On Shemini Atzeres night, he delivered his first discourse of Chassidus to the Chassidim, for his father had passed away on Hoshana Rabba.
His Chassidim numbered in the thousands, including well-known Rabbonim and askonim, among them the famed founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, Rav Meir Shapira; Rav Meir Arak of Tarnov; Rav Avrohom Menachem Shteinberg of Brode; Rav Meshulem Rot; and Rav BenTzion Katz.
The Rebbe himself was also an active askan, and founded several important initiatives in the public sector, such as Agudas HaChareidim and several vocational schools.
In 5672 he joined Agudas Yisrael and asked them to work for the betterment and improvement of Eretz Yisrael. His hope was to found a Yeshiva Gedola and Talmudei Torah in Eretz Yisrael and to engage in agricultural development. During the Knessia Gedola of 5687, he was appointed nosi of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.
His household was run in the typical Rizhiner manner of royalty and grandeur. His appearance was regal and made an impression on all who observed him. Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, commented, “All we need is Moshiach, because the melech we have here already…”
He was opposed to the formation of separate kehillos and as a statement of protest he himself joined the general kehilla of Vienna and established proper kashrus guidelines for them as well.
During the First World War his chotzer was destroyed and Chortkov was damaged, acre upon acre. Rav Yisrael moved to Vienna and from there traveled to his Chassidim throughout Galicia.
He passed away on 13 Kislev 5694/1933. He was totally aware and sang several Shabbos zemiros while sighing from time to time. Afterward, he scanned all those in his presence and his holy soul departed. He was laid to rest in Vienna.
His sons were: Rav Chaim Aharon, who was niftar in his father’s lifetime, Rav Nachum Mordechai, who succeeded him and Rav Dov Ber.
His daughters married Rav Tzvi Arye Twerski of Zlatipola and Rav Menachem Nuchem of Itzkan.
His teachings were disseminated through the seforim Ateres Yisrael – Husyatin, Tiferes Yisrael, Yismach Yisrael, Nezer Yisrael and Ginzei Yisrael, a collection that brought together all of his scattered teachings.
Stories of Rav Yisrael Friedman zt"l
This story is about Rav Dovid Moshe [grandson of Rav Yisrael Friedman of Chortkov) when he was an older man. His son Rav Dov Ber Friedman was home with him alone and related that his father’s pain was intense and his suffering was great. This was unusual, since once when he had had a heart attack he had not even complained!
So when he told his son that the pain was unbearable, he grew frightened and accompanied him to the emergency ward. Rav Dovid Moshe had been sick of late with the illness that a year later would claim his life, and the doctors and nurses had been treating him and knew him well. They were therefore quite surprised at his reaction.
After examining him as he lay on the hospital bed and as they wheeled him toward the surgery ward, the doctor mentioned to the nurse that it was a severe attack of appendicitis and that they were going to do emergency surgery to remove his appendix before it burst.
When Rav Dovid Moshe heard this he began to protest loudly that under no circumstances whatsoever did he agree to the surgery! The doctors and nurses were at a loss. On one hand they saw he was suffering and in great pain; on the other hand, the man they knew well lay there adamantly refusing surgery.
When the doctor suggested instead an X-ray, he agreed, and lo and behold, the X-ray indicated a fracture pressing against his stomach, which had given the impression of an enlarged appendix. When the astonished doctor explained that they would need to do surgery to correct this fracture, Rav Dovid Moshe agreed.
Later, the son turned to his father for an explanation of this seemingly prophetic episode. Rav Dovid Moshe, who was too weak to be totally anesthetized, and was therefore awake after only local anesthetic was applied, explained:
“When I was a young child I suffered greatly from appendicitis. After the second occasion, the doctors wanted to operate, saying that if the situation was delayed further, it might rupture and cause an infection, Heaven forbid.
“My zeide, the holy Rav Yisrael Chortkover, visited me and sat by my bedside. He said to me, “You will not suffer from your appendix anymore.” And therefore my parents did not allow them to operate on me. Now, when the doctor said it was appendicitis, I knew he had to be mistaken! For did not my holy zeide say to me that my appendix would not bother me again? However, to do an X-ray, I agreed, and to repair the fracture I agreed as well, because that is certainly possible, and when it comes to sound medical advice I listen to the doctor.”
(Source: Rav Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz Tiferes Yisrael Vayeitzei p. 3)
It was Shabbos Bereishis in the beis midrash of Rav Yisrael Friedman of Chortkov. Among the many guests was the Rav of Sanok, Rav Meir Shapiro, later famous as the rosh yeshivah of Chachmei Lublin and the founder of the Daf Yomi program.
On Shabbos morning, after Krias HaTorah, the door to the Rebbe's private room opened and the Rebbe himself made an unusual appearance. Before the astounded chassidim, the Rebbe honored Rav Meir Shapiro to bless the new month and to lead mussaf. This was unusual, to say the least; however, Rav Meir took the amud. His powerful, sweet, and melodious voice, and the sweet niggunim and songs awoke a strong outpouring of the soul and a holy excitement among the chassidim. Many later recounted that the aura of sanctity resembled Yom Kippur. Afterward, as the chassidim passed before the Rebbe to receive his Shabbos blessing, Rav Meir too passed before him. 'I did not know that the Rav of Sanok knew so well how to lead the prayers!' exclaimed the Rebbe. 'I also did not know this' said Rav Meir innocently, until the Rebbe revealed this to me as well!'
The Rebbe invited Rav Meir to the seudah, and after the meal they secreted themselves in the Rebbe's private room for a long time. When Rav Meir left the Rebbe's room, his face shone with an otherworldly aura.
During that conversation, Rav Meir's powerful gift of prayer was mentioned once again and he commented, 'If I have such a gift perhaps I should become a chazzan. It would be appropriate since I am a descendant of Rav Pinchas Koritzer, before whom all the gates of prayer were open!'
Upon hearing these words, the Chortkover grew suddenly serious, and after a few moments he said, 'Rabbi of Sanok, allow me to tell you a tale about the holy Rebbe, Reb Zusha of Anipoli, the brother of the illustrious Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk.
Once, when Rav Zusha was wandering in self-imposed exile, he arrived in Galicia. He had heard of the wondrous and legendary shiurim of Rav Yosef Yuzpa, the famous Rosh Yeshivah of Zolkava, and decided to travel. When Reb Zusha reached Zolkava, he entered Rav Yosef Yuzpa's yeshivah. At that time, Rav Yosef Yuzpa was in the middle of a Talmudic pilpul, a deep discussion of the tractate's sugya, and all his students were so absorbed in their Rebbe's profound words that no one noticed Rav Zusha. As usual, Rav Zusha was dressed as a wandering vagabond, in tattered rags with his walking stick and bundle in hand. He sat in the corner and listened as well to Rav Yosef Yuzpa without taking his eyes off him for even a moment. After the lecture had ended, Rav Zusha approached the Rosh Yeshivah and said, 'Thank you so much, you deserve such a yasher koach for the shiur you delivered! I heard of your great erudition and scholarliness from afar and about your wonderful shiurim and I decided to travel and hear them for myself. It was well worth the long and arduous journey.
Rav Yosef Yuzpa heard the words of praise and answered, 'Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the shiur and that you heard words of Torah wisdom that you enjoyed, so I understand why I find favor in your eyes. However, how can you find favor in my eyes? I do not yet have the pleasure of knowing who you are and where you are from. Oh, how can a vagabond such as myself find any favor in anyone's eyes? I do not even know how to learn or study Torah. Why, I know nothing at all!' declared Rav Zusha.
'Impossible' countered Rav Yosef Yuzpa. 'It cannot be that you have no wisdom or sanctity. I sense that deep inside you there is some hidden treasure that causes you to find favor in my eyes. I only know how to pray,' concluded Rav Zusha. 'Well, what Jew doesn't know how to do that? Every Jew knows how to pray,' exclaimed Rav Yosef Yuzpa with wonder. 'But what is the proper way to pray before the Master of the World,' added Rav Zusha. If so, reveal it to me! Teach me the secrets of your prayer,' said Rav Yosef Yuzpa.
'Very well. Come, let us go somewhere private and I will open the gates of prayer before you,' suggested Rav Zusha.
'And so,' concluded the Chortkover Rebbe to Rav Meir Shapiro, 'the two entered a room and secluded themselves. Rav Zusha taught the rosh yeshivah the secrets of prayer and they pierced deep into Rav Yosef Yuzpa's soul. He grew aflame with excitement and declared, ' I will leave my yeshivah and follow you, just as Elisha followed Eliyahu. Perhaps during that time I will learn at least how to pray just one proper prayer in my lifetime! I will learn to stand before the Master of the World in prayer and to concentrate with true purity. Yes, I will get up right now and leave my yeshivah!
'No, no, Rav Yosef Yuzpa,' countered Rav Zusha. 'Let me explain something to you. There are millions of people in this world, and each one has a different face. Our Sages taught us that just as every man's facial features are different, so too are their minds different. And just as their outer appearances differ, so do their inner essences, their souls, and their purposes in life, even though each soul can reach its own personal beauty equally.'
'Why did Hashem create so many people?' Rav Zusha continued. 'Because each has a unique purpose. Just as there are many people, there are many goals and aspirations for each individual. Each person has to fulfill his own aspirations and goals with the tools, talents, and character traits that Hashem gave him. This is why our Sages taught that one should always study from where his heart desires, since a man's heart aspires to the personal goal Hashem expects him to fulfill.'
'You, Rav Yosef Yuzpa, have the talent and power to inspire students and teach them Torah. Heaven gifted you with the ability to deliver such beautiful Talmudic lectures and discourses. Leave the gates of prayer for someone like me,' concluded Rav Zusha.
The Chortkover ended the tale and looked at Rav Meir Shapiro, who understood the meaning of the Rebbe's words. Later in life, when Rav Meir was the head and rosh yeshivah of Chachmei Lublin, he told those close to him about that Shabbos in Chortkov. With that story, he said, the Rebbe put me in my proper place and set me on the proper path in life to fulfill my unique mission and purpose, to teach and spread Torah through chinuch of the next generation of am Yisrael.
(Maasei Avos pgs 60-63',0),(10737,'Rav Elchanan was once asked "Why is learning Torah judged to be more important than all other Mitzvos? What good do I do for another person when I study Torah?" Rav Elchanan replied "if we will stop learning Torah, then the world will go under. The existence of the world depends on Jews learning Torah. So if a Jew learns Torah, he not only has the Mitzvah, but more importantly, he sustains the entire world and prevents its destruction.
A Fire in His Soul: Irving M. Bunim