Lelov (Hasidic dynasty)
Hasidic dynasty founded by David Biderman of Lelów in Poland, now based in Israel, with rebbes in Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem
| Lelov | |
|---|---|
| Founded | Lelów, Poland |
| Founder | David Biderman of Lelov (1746–1814) |
| Leader | Rebbes Eliyahu Azriel Biderman (Bnei Brak); Aharon Biderman (Beit Shemesh); Yaakov Yitzchok Biderman (Jerusalem) |
| Headquarters | Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem |
| Type | Hasidic dynasty |
| Notes | |
Lelov (also Lelow) is a Hasidic dynasty named after the town of Lelów in central Poland. The YIVO Encyclopedia calls it a "line of important second-tier rabbinic leaders". Its founder, David Biderman of Lelov (1746–1814), was a disciple of Elimelech of Lizhensk and of Ya'akov Yitsḥak Horowitz, the "Seer of Lublin". His son Mosheh moved to the Land of Israel, and only the branch there survived the Holocaust. The YIVO Encyclopedia notes that it is unusual as a "Polish" Hasidism that became a "Lithuanian" one, through its ties to Karlin.[1]
Since 2009 the dynasty has had three rebbes, all sons of the previous rebbe, based in Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem.[2][3]
History
David of Lelov
David Biderman came from a humble background. The YIVO Encyclopedia says he was known for his compassion for sinners and his love of children and animals. He stayed devoted to the Seer of Lublin even after he had his own following. He organised pilgrimages to the Lublin court and introduced future leaders to it, among them Ya'akov Yitsḥak of Pshiskhe (the "Holy Jew"), Simḥah Bunem of Pshiskhe and Yitsḥak of Vurke. In the dispute among the Seer's disciples he supported Ya'akov Yitsḥak of Pshiskhe. His son Neḥemyah helped him recruit followers; Neḥemyah's son Ya'akov of Apt (Opatów; 1806–1858) became known as a miracle worker.[1]
The move to the Land of Israel
David's eldest son and successor, Mosheh (1777–1851), married Rivkah Raḥel, a daughter of Ya'akov Yitsḥak of Pshiskhe. He emigrated to the Land of Israel and died soon afterwards. He had two successors: his son El'azar Menaḥem Mendel (1827–1883) in Jerusalem, and his grandson David Yosef (1827–1897) in Lelov. El'azar's son, David Tsevi Shelomoh (1843–1918), travelled to Russia several times as a young man and was drawn to Karlin Hasidism. Following Karlin custom, he refused to take the title of rebbe.[1]
The 20th and 21st centuries
Moshe Mordechai Biderman was born in Jerusalem around the turn of the 20th century and was a grandson of Rabbi David of Lelov. He led the dynasty until his death in Bnei Brak in January 1987, and was buried on the Mount of Olives. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency described the group as small but said that he was admired in Israel and abroad for his long and fervent prayer.[4]
His son, Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman, had lived for years in Antwerp, where he taught at Yeshivas Eitz Chaim. In 5733 (1972–73) his father sent him to set up the Lelov study hall in Borough Park, New York. He succeeded his father in January 1987 and led the dynasty for 23 years; his study hall was in the Shikun Hei district of Bnei Brak. He published one book, Har Haboshon. He died suddenly on the eve of Yom Kippur 2009, aged 79, and was buried on the Mount of Olives near his father.[5]
After his death, a meeting of the community's elders in Bnei Brak decided that all three of his sons would be rebbes, each in his own city. Eliyahu Azriel, the eldest, stayed in Bnei Brak. Aharon, who was then living in the United States, said he would move to Beit Shemesh, where the community had a large following. Yaakov Yitzchok, the youngest, was rabbi of the Lelov study hall on Baharan Street in Jerusalem, and it was not clear at the time whether he would accept the role.[2][3]
| Leader | Dates | Base | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Biderman of Lelov | 1746–1814 | Lelów | Founder[1] |
| Mosheh Biderman | 1777–1851 | Emigrated to the Land of Israel | Eldest son and successor[1] |
| El'azar Menaḥem Mendel Biderman | 1827–1883 | Jerusalem | Son of Mosheh[1] |
| David Yosef Biderman | 1827–1897 | Lelów | Grandson of Mosheh[1] |
| David Tsevi Shelomoh Biderman | 1843–1918 | Jerusalem | Son of El'azar; refused the title of rebbe[1] |
| Moshe Mordechai Biderman | c. 1900–1987 | Bnei Brak | Grandson of Rabbi David of Lelov[4] |
| Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman | c. 1930–2009 | Bnei Brak | Rebbe 1987–2009[5] |
| Eliyahu Azriel Biderman | Bnei Brak | Rebbe from 2009[2][3] | |
| Aharon Biderman | Beit Shemesh | Rebbe from 2009[2][3] | |
| Yaakov Yitzchok Biderman | Jerusalem | Named rebbe in 2009[2][3] |
See also
- Karlin-Stolin (Hasidic dynasty)
- Mosdos Lelov Limited, a former UK charity of the same name
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Glenn Davis Dynner, Lelov Hasidic Dynasty YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe, accessed 27 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Yechiel Spira, All Three Sons Of Lelover Rebbe Crowned As Rebbes The Yeshiva World, 1 October 2009, accessed 27 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Matzav.com, A Unified Lelover Chassidus Chooses to Be Led By Three Rebbes Matzav.com, 30 September 2009, accessed 27 October 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Rebbe of Lelov Dies in Bnei Brak JTA, 29 January 1987, accessed 27 October 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 S. Bruchi, Admor of Lelov zt"l Dei'ah veDibur, 1 October 2009, accessed 27 October 2026.