Rav Yehoshua Roke'ach of Belz zt"l
הרב יהושע בן שלום רוקח זצ"ל
Shevat 23 , 5654
Known As: Ohel Yehoshua, Yehoshua'le, Der Mittler Rav, Belzer Rav
Father's Name: Sholom Roke'ach
Relatives: Rav Yissochor Dov Rokeach
Rav Yehoshua Roke'ach of Belz zt"l
Rav Yehoshua (Yehoshua’le) Roke’ach of Belz, fifth son and the successor of Rav Sholom, the Sar Sholom, founder of the Belz dynasty (1825–1894). He married a granddaughter of the Oheiv Yisrael, the Apter Rav. After Rav Sholom was niftar in 1855, the Belz Chassidim had no leader for two years, after which Rav Yehoshua replaced his father, in compliance with his father’s wishes, despite the fact that Rav Yehoshua had four older brothers. He led the Belz Chassidim for thirty-nine years. He was also the founder of Machzikei HaDas, perhaps the first Orthodox Jewish organization to be involved in government politics. Some of his discourses are published in Ohel Yehoshua, a supplement to the book of his father's teachings, Dover Sholom. He was succeeded by his second son, Rav Yissochor Dov.
Stories of Rav Yehoshua Roke'ach of Belz zt"l
Rav Bromer of Sanik said in the name of the Mahari of Belz that while in previous generations there was a custom among Chassidim to disparage and distance themselves from anyone whose Torah study was not leshem Shomayim, that was the case only when in the past the study of secular subjects was generally foreign, ignored and not widespread. Today, however, when secular subjects are widely studied and Torah study has diminished, we should draw close any ben Torah from any background, even those who do not yet study leshem Shomayim, in order to distance the masses from secular studies and discourage their dissemination. (Etz Chaim, Gilyon 11, p. 219)
(See also below a story Rav Yehoshua used to say about the Taz, and the story of Rav Yehoshua of Belz and Rav Shaul Brach of Kashau – 26th of Shevat.)