Rav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk

Early years

Rav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk zy"a, known as the Pri HaAretz after his sefer, was born in Vitebsk in 5490 (1730), the son of Rav Moshe, a close follower of the Baal Shem Tov. When Menachem Mendel was nine years old, his father brought him to meet the Baal Shem Tov.

He was an exceptionally gifted child, destined for greatness. He became a talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch, an elder disciple among the Maggid's talmidim and recognized as one of the outstanding ones.

Torah and leadership

After the Maggid's passing, Rav Menachem Mendel returned to Vitebsk and settled in the nearby town of Horodok. Thousands of chassidim streamed to him, among them many prominent former talmidim of the Maggid, such as Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi and Rav Baruch of Kossov. Horodok became the center from which Chassidus spread through Lithuania and White Russia.

It is told that Rebbe Reb Zusha said of him that just as Eretz Yisroel is higher than all other lands, so is Rav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk higher than all the tzaddikim.

Tzaddikim explained that Rav Menachem Mendel carried himself with majesty although he was truly humble and brokenhearted. They also described the way he davened. He prayed like a man so lowly that he is covered in ugly sores, yet longs to enter the king's chamber and speak with the king. He pushes his way in, is thrown out, and pays no attention to the guards and servants. Again and again he forces his way in, to plead before the king for his very life.

In those years Lithuanian Jewry stood under the spiritual leadership of the Vilna Gaon, a staunch opponent of Chassidus, and many Lithuanian Jews, the mitnagdim, resisted the new movement with all their might. In 1777 Rav Menachem Mendel traveled to Vilna with Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, hoping to explain the principles of Chassidus to the Vilna Gaon and ease his concerns. The Gaon would not receive them. Rav Menachem Mendel then made a historic decision. To avoid further conflict, he would leave Lithuania altogether.

Aliyah to Eretz Yisroel

In Adar 1777, Rav Menachem Mendel set out for Eretz Yisroel at the head of about three hundred chassidim, together with Rav Avrohom Kalisker, to found the new yishuv of the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov. It was an unprecedented move, the first Chassidic aliyah of modern times. They settled in Tzfas, and after a few years most of the group moved to Teveria.

The group laid the foundation for later Chassidic settlement in Eretz Yisroel and contributed greatly to the revival of the Galilee. Because he was the first to lead a group of chassidim to settle in the Land, Rav Menachem Mendel was, together with other early Chassidic Rebbes and non-Chassidic rabbonim of his time, a pioneer of the return to Eretz Yisroel.

From Eretz Yisroel he stayed in close touch with his chassidim in Russia through personal emissaries and a steady stream of letters.

Teachings and seforim

His reflections, letters and commentaries were published in Pri HaAretz. His comments on the Torah are based on Kabbalah, and most are deep and difficult. They are written in a compact, terse style that hints at ideas without spelling them out. His works also include Likutei Amarim.

Later years and passing

Rav Menachem Mendel passed away in Teveria on 1 Iyar 5548 (1788). He was succeeded by his only son, Rav Moshe. He is buried in the Old Cemetery of Teveria, in the section of the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov.