Rav Dovid Tzvi Taub of Neishtadt
Son of the founder of Kuzhmir and a devoted talmid of the Kotzker Rebbe, who led his chassidim in the Kotzker path of truth.
Biography
Early years
Rav Dovid Tzvi Taub of Neishtadt zy"a was born in 1809 to Rav Yechezkel of Kuzhmir, the founder of the Kuzhmir dynasty. He became a talmid muvhak (closest student) of Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk.
Torah and leadership
When his father passed away in 5616, Rav Dovid Tzvi was crowned as Rebbe. Yet he refused to accept the chassidim as his followers and kept travelling to his own Rebbe, the Kotzker. Even when the Kotzker himself told him to lead the flock, he declined.
Chassidim relate that Rav Dovid Tzvi turned to the Chiddushei HaRim of Ger and asked him to persuade the Kotzker to let him be and not press the mantle of leadership on him. He claimed that he lacked Torah and good middos and was therefore unfit to be a Rebbe, and as he spoke he burst into bitter tears. The Chiddushei HaRim answered that even if his words were true, his great humility and lowliness would make him worthy of being a great Rebbe. How much more so, he added, when his claims were plainly false.
In 5619, when the Kotzker passed away, Rav Dovid Tzvi finally agreed to accept the chassidim. He led them in the same sincere, fiery pursuit of truth he had learned in Kotzk. His sayings were short, sharp and to the point.
He was respected and beloved by the tzaddikim of his generation. The Chiddushei HaRim testified that Rav Dovid Tzvi was like a son to the Kotzker. He was also on very friendly terms with Rav Avrohom Landau of Tshechenow, Rav Avrohom Bornstein of Sokotshuv (the Avnei Nezer) and Rav Yaakov Aryeh Gutterman of Radzimin.
Teachings and seforim
His Torah was collected and published as Chemdas Dovid by his talmid, Rav Shmuel Yaakov Kopel Kleigsberg of Kalischin, who added his own glosses and comments under the title Klei Chemdah. His Torah on the Moadim is printed at the end of the sefer.
Later years and passing
His only son, Rav Yosef Yom Tov, passed away in his father's lifetime. Rav Yosef Yom Tov's sons, Rav Yaakov and Rav Yechezkel of Yablona, served as chassidic Rebbes.
Rav Dovid Tzvi passed away on 6 Tammuz.
Seforim
- Chemdas Dovid: His Torah, collected and published by his talmid Rav Shmuel Yaakov Kopel Kleigsberg of Kalischin with the editor's glosses, Klei Chemdah; his Torah on the Moadim appears at the end.
Family & talmidim
Teachers: Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
Talmidim: Rav Shmuel Yaakov Kopel Kleigsberg of Kalischin
Children: Rav Yosef Yom Tov (passed away in his father's lifetime)