ABOUT – THE HISTORY OF BELZ
Remembering the past
Living its history
The chassidus of Belz fascinates those who have heard about its Rebbes—their wondrous works, illustrious dynasty, and miraculous tales.
THE HISTORIC TIMELINE OF BELZ
1804 | 5564
The Sar Shalom
Rabbi Shalom Rokeach, zt”l, takes on the superhuman task of learning Torah throughout the night for 1000 consecutive nights. On the last night, despite raging snowstorms, Rabbi Shalom headed to the Beis Medrash (Torah study hall) and was joined by Eliyahu Hanavi who revealed to him the innermost secrets of the Torah.
1816 | 5576
The First Rebbe of Belz
The community of Belz anoints Reb Shalom as the first Rebbe of Belz. He married his cousin Rebbetzin Malka, who supported his life mission. The Rebbe initiated a project of building the “Great Belzer Shul,” a structure that dominated the skyline and rose above all else in the Shtetel Belz. At the time, it became the symbolic center of Chassidic Judaism.
1831 | 5591
The Belzer Shul
The Sar Shalom personally oversaw the construction of the shul (synagogue). The completed shul was an architectural masterpiece styled like a medieval fortress and complied with intrinsic halachic and kabbalistic guidelines. The Sar Shalom positioned the shul to face precisely towards the Temple Mount in Jerusalem with no church or shrine between them.
1855 | 5615
The Sar Shalom
Reb Shalom led his congregants for close to forty years. Unfortunately, he passed away on the 27th day of Elul 5615, which fell on the three-day preparation period before Rosh Hashanah, the day of judgment. His son, Reb Yehoshua, explained in his eulogy that his saintly father had been appointed a member of the judicial panel in the Heavenly Court and needed, by Jewish law, three days to prepare himself!
1856 | 5616
The Mittler Rebbe
The Sar Shalom’s youngest son succeeded his father, an uncommon phenomenon for the passing of the mantel. Reb Yehoshua, now known as the Mittler Rav – was blessed with formerly unrecognized talents and charisma. Reb Yehoshua rebranded the image of a Rabbinic Court and introduced a new kind of relationship between a Rebbe and his Chassidim.
1878 | 5638
The Machzikei Hadas
The Mittler Rav joined forces with Reb Shimon Sofer, the Rabbi of Krakow, to establish the organization Machzikei Hadas (upholder of religion). 200 orthodox Jewish communities gave it recognition, and Reb Sofer served as president. In addition, the religious political party published a new, influential newspaper. These successful strategies combated the assimilationist trends of the rising Haskalah (enlightenment) movement.
1894 | 5654
The Frierdiger Rav
As charismatic a leader as his father before him, Rabbi Yissachar Dov was known for his intense Torah study. Expanding on his father’s achievement, Belz was at the forefront of influencing the Chassidic /Chareidi population. He founded dozens of schools to teach Jewish values, constructively battling the trend toward the “enlightened” schools striving to dispel traditional Jewish values.
1914 | 5674
World War I
All of Galicia was a battlefield. Russian troops occupied the Rebbe’s home, study hall, and holy shul. Reb Yissachar Dov fled to Hungary, where he served as an inspiration and a source of comfort to war-torn communities and refugees. After the war, he mobilized efforts to rebuild a world destroyed by the brutal war.
1927 | 5687
Shockwaves After The Great War
After WWI, the Frierdiger Rav tried with all his considerable strength to rebuild the devastated Jewish communities but forfeited his health in the process. Thousands flock to Belz to pay their last respects as the Leader of Galician Jewry was laid to rest. The walls of the great Belz Synagogues dripped with water as though shedding tears along with the mourners.
1927 | 5687
The Saintly Reb Aharon
Reb Aharon, the firstborn son and successor as the fourth Belzer Rebbe was also known as Der Belzer Rav Zechrono Levrocho (OBM), but his predominant title was “Aharon Kedosh Hashem” (The holy and G-dly). He shunned worldly comforts and was devoted entirely to the servitude of His Master. His ascetic appearance and aura of pure holiness were apparent; many likened him to an angel.
1939 | 5699
Belz in Eretz Yisroel
The seed of Belz Chassidus was planted in the Holy Land with the first Belzer Shtiebel in Yerushalayim — thereby instigating the first step towards establishing Belz outside Eastern Europe. Five years later, on 9 Shevat 5704 (1944), two illustrious refugees, the holy Belzer Rebbe and his brother, the Bilgorajer Rebbe, set foot in Eretz Yisroel, and the reconstruction of an empire began.
1939 | 5699
The War Years
Fleeing Nazi persecution, The Rebbe slipped into the Bochnia ghetto incognito. Avoiding the Nazi ‘aktions,’ he was spirited from Bochnia to Krakow and back to Bochnia. His Chassidim attempted in vain to keep his identity secret, as the “Wunder Rabbiner” was on the Nazis ‘most-wanted list. But even the callous Nazi collaborators fell under his spell and helped keep the Rebbe safe and eventually escape the ghetto.
1943 | 5703
The Devastating Aftermath
Throughout the destruction of Belz and the other Eastern European communities, the Rebbe comforted his brethren even as he suffered alongside them. His firstborn son was burned alive in the Central Shul in Premishlan, and, over time, he lost his wife and entire extended family. Yet, despite his loss, he continuously beseeched the Almighty on behalf of his fellow Jews.
1945 | 5705
Arrival to Eretz Yisroel
The two saintly brothers arrive as refugees to Palestine, practically the only survivors of the entire extended Belz families, broken and penniless without any trace of their former glory. Nevertheless, they did not wallow in self-pity. On the contrary, as soon as they arrived, they set about the task of galvanizing the efforts of Jewish communities in Eretz Yisroel to set up relief committees and do everything in their power to save the remnants of European Jewry.
1949 | 5709
Belz Talmud Torah
The first Belz Talmud Torahs (boys’ elementary schools) opened in Tel Aviv, Yerushalayim, and Bnei Brak, followed by a Yeshiva (boys’ high school) in Yerushalayim. The driving force behind the emerging Belz educational program is the Bilgorajer Rebbe, yet his stewardship didn’t last. Unfortunately, he passed away on 25 Cheshvan 5711 (1950), after a short illness.
1957 | 5717
Reb Aharon’s Levaya (Funeral)
Belzer Chassidim are heartbroken when their beloved Rebbe passes away; thousands jam the streets to pay tribute to the great man who cared for so many in his lifetime. From all walks of life, they thronged to Yerushalayim to mourn the passing of a great Torah personality and master of compassion for his fellow Jew. His gravesite has become a shrine visited by thousands each year.
1964 | 5724
The Wedding of the Century
The Crown Prince of the Belzer dynasty marries the granddaughter of the then Viznitzer Rebbe zt”l. Jubilant Chassidim from worldwide throng Bnei Brak to participate in the joyous occasion. They heralded the wedding as an important milestone, indicating that their long wait was drawing to a close and the Belzer throne will once again be occupied.
1966 | 5726
The Rebbe Shlita
Two short years later, the present Rebbe Shlita was ordained in Jerusalem as the Fifth Belzer Rebbe and leader of the Belzer Chassidim. Who, if any, present at the time, would have foreseen the phenomenal success that the Rebbe would have in leading Belz into the future as an international superpower, ranking as one of the greatest Chassidic and Torah movements in the world!
1980 | 5740
The Hachtorah (Crowning)
Legal matters in the Belz Jewish community – marriage arrangements, judicial rulings, etc. – were taken up by outside rabbinical authorities. Finally, the Rebbe decides to create a new beis-din within Belz to administer Torah law. The Hachtorah / “crowning” event was the first in Chassidic circles, which most communities have since followed.
DIE SHTETELE BELZ
Belz is a small city in Western Ukraine situated near the Polish border. Pre-WWII, Belz’s air would vibrate with excitement, warmth, and holiness when thousands of chassidim thronged the Rebbe’s court to celebrate Jewish holidays. Today, the spiritual Shtetel of Belz has been transplanted in Eretz Yisroel and is very much alive and thriving in the heart of Yerushalayim.
RABBI SHALOM ROKEACH
Also known as:
THE SAR SHALOM
THE ERSHTER RAV (First Rebbe)
1779 – 1855
Rabbi Shalom Rokeach z”l was the founder of the Belz dynasty. Reb Shalom’s remarkable perseverance enabled him to spend hours immersed in Torah study. In fact, after spending 1000 consecutive nights studying, the prophet Eliyahu revealed himself to Reb Shalom and disclosed the mysteries of the Torah. Reb Shalom initiated and oversaw the construction and majestic completion of the Great Shul in Belz.
RABBI YEHOSHUA ROKEACH
Also known as:
THE MITTLER RAV (Middle Rebbe)
1825-1894
Reb Yehoshua Rokeach zt”l, the youngest son of Reb Shalom, was appointed to assume leadership. His talents and charm were instrumental in guiding and forming the phenomenon of chassidus as it is known today. Unlike the previous era, where chassidim dwelled in Torah learnings from its Rebbes, this new generation attracted followers of a simple nature who remained staunch chassidim throughout their lives.
RABBI YISSOCHER DOV ROKEACH
Also known as:
THE FRIERDIGE RAV (Previous Rebbe)
1851 – 1927
Rabbi Yissochor Dov Rokeach zt”l was the Mittler Rebbe’s third son. He was a dynamic leader with an uncanny understanding of the prevailing political trend. Under his leadership, the Belzer influence spread dramatically. Religious and lay leaders sought his advice and support. In addition, he was known for his passion for Torah study—promoting it by establishing numerous yeshivas and schools at the time.
RABBI AHARON OF BELZ
Also known as:
DER RUV ZICHRONO LIVRACHA
1880 – 1957
Rabbi Aharon Rokeach zt”l was the firstborn son and successor of the Frierdige Rav. His aura of pure holiness was apparent, prompting many to liken him to an angel. Reb Aharon zt”land his holy brother, Reb Mordche Bilgerei zt”l, miraculously fled the Nazis and reestablished the chassidus of Belz in Eretz Yisroel. His gravesite is a place of pilgrimage, where thousands in need of salvation come to pray.
RABBI YISSOCHAR DOV ROKEACH
Also knows as:
THE BELZER REBBE
1948 –
Rabbi Yissocher Dov Rokeach shlita is the son of The Bilegerei Rebbe zt”l and nephew of Reb Aharon zt”l, who raised him like a son after becoming an orphan at age two. On the ninth passing anniversary of the late Belzer Rebbe, the present Rebbe was ordained as the Fifth Belzer Rebbe. Under the Rebbe’s leadership, the chassidus of Belz transformed into an international superpower that ranks as one of the world’s greatest chassidic and Torah movements.
DIE SHTETELE BELZ
Established:
Belz is a small city in Western Ukraine, situated near the Polish border. Pre-WWII, the very air in Belz would vibrate with excitement, warmth and holiness when thousands of chassidim thronged to the Rebbe’s court to celebrate Jewish holidays. Today, the spiritual Shtetel of Belz has been transplanted in Eretz Yisroel and is very much alive and thriving in the heart of Yerushalayim.
RABBI SHALOM ROKEACH
Also known as:
THE SAR SHALOM
THE ERSHTER RAV (First Rebbe)
1779 – 1855
Rabbi Shalom Rokeach OBM was the founder of the Belz dynasty. Reb Shalom’s remarkable perseverance enabled him to spend hours immersed in Torah study. In fact, after spending 1000 consecutive nights studying, the prophet Eliyahu revealed himself to Reb Shalom and disclosed the mysteries of the Torah. Reb Shalom initiated, and oversaw the construction and majestic completion of the Great Shul in Belz.
RABBI YEHOSHUA ROKEACH
Also known as:
THE MITTLER RAV (Middle Rebbe)
1825-1894
Reb Yehoshua Rokeach OBM, the youngest son of Reb Shalom, was appointed to assume leadership. His talents and charm were instrumental in guiding and forming the phenomenon of chassidus as it is known today. Unlike the previous era, where chassidim dwelled in Torah learnings from its Rebbes, this new generation attracted followers of a simple nature who remained staunch chassidim throughout their lives.
RABBI YISSOCHER DOV ROKEACH
Also known as:
THE FRIERDIGE RAV (Previous Rebbe)
1851 – 1927
Rabbi Yissochor Dov Rokeach OBM was the Mittler Rebbe’s third son. He was a dynamic leader with an uncanny understanding of the prevailing political trend. Under his leadership, the Belzer influence spread dramatically. Religious and lay leaders sought his advice and support. In addition, he was known for his passion towards Torah study—promoting it by establishing numerous yeshivas and schools at the time.
RABBI AHARON OF BELZ
Also known as:
DER RUV ZICHRONO LIVRACHA
1880 – 1957
Rabbi Aharon Rokeach OBM was the firstborn son and successor of The Frierdige Rav. His aura of pure holiness was apparent, prompting many who liken him to an angel. Reb Aharon and his holy brother, Reb Mordche Bilgerei, miraculously fled the Nazis and reestablished the chassidus of Belz in Eretz Yisroel. His gravesite is a place of pilgrimage, where thousands in need of a salvation come to pray.
RABBI YISSOCHAR DOV ROKEACH
Also knows as:
THE BELZER REBBE
1948 –
Rabbi Yissocher Dov Rokeach Shlita is the son of The Bilegerei Rebbe, and nephew of Reb Aharon who raised him like a son after becoming an orphan at age two. On the ninth passing anniversary of the late Belzer Rebbe, the present Rebbe was ordained as the Fifth Belzer Rebbe. Under the Rebbe’s leadership, the chassidus of Belz transformed into an international superpower that ranks as one of the world’s greatest chassidic and Torah movements.
THE BELZ EMPIRE
When the Belzer Rebbe zt”l embarked on his quest to rebuild the Belzer Empire he made an important strategic decision. He did not attempt to rebuild a Shtetele, instead he set about creating a network of Torah institutions that would educate a new generation in the unique Belz tradition, thereby guaranteeing the future of Belz.
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