Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
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| Menachem Mendel of Kotzk | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kotzker Rebbe | ||
| Image caption | ||
| Term | 1827 – 1859 | |
| Full name | Menachem Mendl Morgensztern | |
| Born | 1787 | |
| Goray, Poland | ||
| Died | 27 January, 1859 (22 Shvat 5619) | |
| Kotzk | ||
| Buried | Kotzk | |
| Dynasty | Kotzk | |
| Predecessor | (first rebbe) | |
| Successor | Dovid Morgensztern | |
| Father | Leybush Morgenstern | |
| Mother | Elka | |
| Wife1 | Glike Nay | |
| Issue1 | Dovid Morgensztern | |
| Wife 2 | Chaya Lipszuc | |
| Issue 2 | Sara Cyna Brucha Binyomin Moshe Yeruchom |
|
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk, better known as the Kotzker Rebbe (1787-1859) was a Hasidic leader. Born to a non-Hasidic family in Goraj near Lublin, Poland, he became attracted to Hasidim in his youth. He was known for having acquired impressive Talmudic and Kabbalistic knowledge at a young age. He was a student of the Rebbe Reb Bunim of Peshischa, and upon the latter's death attracted many of his followers. The Kotzker Rebbe is well known for his incisive and down-to-earth philosophies, and sharp-witted sayings. He appears to have had little patience for false piety or stupidity.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
[edit] The Peshischa system
[edit] Lublin
[edit] Tomashov
[edit] Kotzk
[edit] Crisis and seclusion
From 1839 he lived in seclusion for the last twenty years of his life[1].
[edit] Students and legacy
He is considered to be the spiritual founder upon which the Ger dynasty in Poland is based, through the teachings of its founder Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter. One of his major students was Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica.
He never published any works. Legend has it that he composed a book of amazing depth and insight into the Torah, but burned it so it would not be published. Several collections of his sayings have been published, most notably Emes VeEmunah (Truth and Faith).
His eldest son, Rabbi Dovid Morgensztern, succeeded him as Kotzker Rebbe. Rabbi Avrohom Bornsztain, author of Avnei Nezer and first Sochatchover Rebbe, was his son-in-law.
[edit] His sayings
"Just as it is the way of an ape to imitate humans, so too, a person, when he has become old, imitates himself, and does what was his manner previously." ("One who grows old is like an ape." Midrash, Kohelet Rabba 1:3)
"All that is thought should not be said, all that is said should not be written, all that is written should not be published, and all that is published should not be read."
"Where is God to be found? In the place where He is given entry"[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Joseph Fox (1988). "IX", Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk : a biographical study of the chasidic master. Brooklyn, N.Y: Bash Publications. ISBN 0932351212. OCLC 18599344.
- ^ Simcha Raz; Edward Levin (1995). The sayings of Menahem Mendel of Kotsk. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson, 10. ISBN 1568212976. OCLC 30734940.
[edit] Sources
- Fox, Dr. Joseph (1988). Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk: A Biographical Study of the Chasidic Master. New York:Bash Publications Inc.
- Raz, Simcha, Levin, Edward (trans.) (1995). The sayings of Menachem Mendel of Kotsk. Northvale, N.J.:Jason Aronson Inc.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- [1] Fox, Joseph Dr., "Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk" A Biographical Study of the Chasidic Master, .pdf book download
