Rav Dovid Moshe Freidman of Chortkov
The founder of the Chortkov dynasty, a son of the Ruzhiner Rebbe, whose court grew into one of the largest in Galicia.
Biography
Early years
Rav Dovid Moshe Freidman of Chortkov zy"a was born on Shavuos in 5587 (1827), the 7th of Sivan. His father was Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin, a great-grandson of the Maggid of Mezritch, and he married the daughter of Rav Aharon of Chernobyl. His second wife was his niece, the daughter of his brother Rav Shalom Yosef of Sadigura.
His father saw great things in him from the day he was born. When Rav Yisrael gave out mashke for l'chaim to the chassidim to celebrate the birth, he told them that they should be the ones buying for him, because the soul that came into the world that day would draw Bnei Yisroel close to their Father in Heaven.
His holiness was visible from childhood, and he was known as a gifted child.
Torah and leadership
After his father passed away in 1850, the brothers spread out and each became a leader in his own right. Rav Dovid Moshe settled in Zlatipoli, and in 1865 he moved to Chortkov and founded his court there. He and his chassidim acquired a palace from a local nobleman, Count Borowski. The town Rav, Rav Yeshaya Meir Horowitz Kohen Shapira, together with the misnagdim, tried to prevent his arrival and settlement, but they did not succeed.
The Chortkov court grew into one of the largest and most respected in Galicia, with thousands of chassidim. Like the court of Ruzhin, it was conducted in a royal and dignified style, unlike most chassidic courts. The palace was a center of religious, cultural and communal activity, including receiving guests and offering hospitality.
Rav Dovid Moshe sat the whole day toiling in Torah, withdrawn from people and even from his own family. His nights too were given to Torah, and he allowed himself no more than two hours of sleep.
He spoke little and smiled less. His words were few and measured, counted like precious diamonds and pearls. At the start of his leadership he spoke often, and Torah flowed freely from his lips, but later his divrei Torah became rare. He kept far from all discord and machlokes, and he took a stand in the controversy over the boycott that Rav Chaim Matzaz declared against those who left the court of Ruzhin.
He was gentle with his chassidim and loved every Yid. Jews of Chortkov consulted him on matters of holiness, and the non-Jews of the town respected him for his virtues as well.
Among those who came to him were prominent rabbanim, such as Rav Meir Arik and the Maharsham of Berzan. Chassidim of Slonim also spent time at his court, among them Rav Mordechai Chaim of Slonim and the Slonimer Rebbe, Rav Shmuel Weinberg. Rav Shlomo Goldman of Zhvil learned with him for seven years.
He had a positive attitude toward the renewal of the yishuv in Eretz Yisroel. When Ahavas Tzion was founded by Rav Asher Yeshaya of Riminov, Rav Feivel Halevi Shreier of Bohorodczany, Rav Aharon Marcus and others, Rav Dovid Moshe joined as a supporter, after a visit from the askanim Dr. Avraham Zaltz, Leon Shpitz and Dovid Fast.
Teachings and seforim
His Torah was published as Divrei Dovid, and also in the collections Beis Yisrael and Knesses Yisrael. His life story and toldos were published as Tiferes Adam by Rav Reuven Margolis.
Later years and passing
Rav Dovid Moshe had two sons. Rav Nachum Mordechai passed away in his father's lifetime, on the 26th of Tammuz, and Rav Yisrael of Chortkov succeeded his father as Rebbe.
Rav Dovid Moshe passed away on Hoshana Rabbah, the 21st of Tishrei, 5664 (1903).
Legacy
His ohel was built by the Ohalei Tzaddikim association. Some years ago the ohel was desecrated and its headstone was uprooted, and the association put up a temporary ohel in its place.
Stories
The Tzitzis Yid
His brothers used to call him der tzitzis yid (the tzitzis Jew). Even as a very young child, Rav Dovid Moshe would cry inconsolably if they forgot to dress him in his tzitzis.
The Six Orders of Mishnah
The Ruzhiner Rebbe used to say that his six sons corresponded to the six orders of the Mishnah. Rav Dovid Moshe, he said, corresponded to Seder Kodshim, because he was the holy of holies.
A Faithful Servant
His brother, Rav Menachem Nachum of Stefanesht, testified about him: "When my brother recites Tehillim, Hashem gives him the entire world as a gift and says, 'It is all yours, do with it as you please.' But my brother is a faithful servant, so he gives it back to Hashem as it is, whole and untouched."
Teachings
Three Requests
Rav Dovid Moshe said of himself: "I asked Hashem for three things and He granted them to me. That I not move even one limb without performing a yichud, a unification to Hashem; that when someone petitions me and gives me a donation, I feel his pain; and that I love every member of Klal Yisroel, even those who are very distant from me."
Told of the Rebbe by chassidim
Seforim
- Divrei Dovid: His Torah, published after his passing.
- Beis Yisrael: A collection that includes his Torah.
- Knesses Yisrael: A collection that includes his Torah.
- Tiferes Adam: His biography and toldos, by Rav Reuven Margolis.
Family & talmidim
Talmidim: Rav Shlomo Goldman of Zhvil
Children: Rav Nachum Mordechai, Rav Yisrael of Chortkov
Also on 21 Tishrei
All hilulos on 21 Tishrei ›Historical sources
- Sippurei Chassidim (cited: Torah 115, 184, 287, 322, 336; Moadim 5, 30, 290, 300, 373, 476)
- Tiferes Adam (Rav Reuven Margolis)