Meshullam Feivush Heller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meshullam Feivush Heller |
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|---|---|
| Religion | Judaism |
| Personal | |
| Born | c. 1742 |
| Died | 12 December 1794 (aged 51–52) Zbarazh, Galicia |
| Yahrtzeit | 20 Kislev, 5555 A.M. |
| Buried | Zbarazh |
Reb Meshullam Feivush Heller of Zbarazh (born around 1742 – died December 12, 1794) was a respected Jewish scholar. He was known for writing several important books about Hasidic teachings. His most famous book is called Yosher Divrei Emes. He lived most of his life in Zbarazh, a town that is now in Ukraine.
Contents
Who Was Rabbi Meshullam Feivush Heller?
His Early Life and Teachers
Rabbi Meshullam Feivush was born into a family of rabbis and scholars. His father, Harav Aharon Moshe, was a direct descendant of a very famous rabbi named Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller. His mother's family also had important rabbis, like Rabbi Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg. This meant he grew up surrounded by learning.
Rabbi Meshullam Feivush spent most of his life in Zbarazh. He did not work in an official position, like leading a big synagogue. Instead, he focused on his studies and teaching. He was a main student of the Maggid of Zlotshov. He also learned from other great teachers, like the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Premishlan. He often quoted these teachers in his own books.
His Family and Later Life
Rabbi Meshullam Feivush was married twice. He had one son with his first wife and two sons with his second wife. His sons were named Harav Moshe Aharon, Harav Baruch Yitzchak, and Harav Shimshon. He was also a close friend of Rabbi Hayyim Tyrer, another well-known scholar.
Rabbi Meshullam Feivush passed away in Zbarazh on December 12, 1794. He was buried there, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom and important writings.
What Books Did He Write?
His Famous Book: Yosher Divrei Emes
Rabbi Meshullam Feivush is best known for his classic Hasidic book, Yosher Divrei Emes. This book is made up of two parts, or pamphlets. The first part was written in 1777. The second part, called Kuntres Derech Emes, was written after 1781. We know this because it mentions that the Zlotshover Maggid had already passed away (niftar is a Hebrew word meaning deceased) in 1781.
Some of his other teachings and speeches (called drashos) were also published in a book called Likutim Yekarim.
His Students and Legacy
Rabbi Meshullam Feivush was not only a writer but also a respected teacher and leader. He had many students who learned from him. Some of his famous students included Harav Dovid Shlomo Eibshitz and Harav Chaim of Tchernowitz. These students went on to become important leaders themselves.
After Rabbi Meshullam Feivush passed away, many of his followers joined the group led by his close student, Harav Menachem Mendel of Kossov. This student later founded the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty, which is still active today.
