Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk
Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (born around 1730 in Vitebsk ; died around 1788 in Tiberias ) was a leader of the Hasidic movement.
Life
Menachem was born in Vitebsk . His father is said to have brought him to Baal Shem Tov for the first time when he was nine years old . Menachem was a student of the Maggid of Mesrich . After his wedding he lived in Minsk .
After the Maggid's death, he succeeded him as the leader of the Hasidim in Lithuania (and Belarus). Together with Rabbi Schneur Salman , he tried to get the Gaon of Vilna to have the condemnation of the Hasidim lifted without success.
In 1777 he went with about 300 followers to Palestine, to Safed , the city of Kabbalah . In 1783 they had to leave the city and went to Tiberias . He died there in 1788.
Hasidic stories
Martin Buber told of Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk in 15 of the Hasidic Stories .
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Leader of the Hasidic movement |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 1730 |
| DATE OF DEATH | around 1788 |