
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

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 zt”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
Rabbi 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.
Hear more about its leaders 🠚
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”l and 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.


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.

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.
Take a peek at how Belz has evolved from the pre-war shtetl shul to a massive, imposing, state-of-the-art building – befitting the kingdom that Belz really is.



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