Legacy of the Maggid of Mezeritch: 10 Facts You Might Not Know

Rabbi Dov Ber (son of Rabbi Avraham) of Mezeritch, known as the "Maggid of Mezeritch," was a Hasidic leader in the second generation of Hasidism, the student and successor of the "Baal Shem Tov." Here are 10 facts in his memory, in anticipation of his yahrtzeit, which falls on Friday this week, the 19th of Kislev.

1. Rabbi Dov Ber was born to R' Avraham and Chava in the town of Lokatch near the city of Rovno in Ukraine. His father was a descendant of Rabbi Yochanan Sandler. He made a meager living teaching children, and upon the advice of the city's rabbi, sent his son, Dov Ber, to study in Lviv at the yeshiva of Rabbi Yaakov Yehoshua, author of the "Pnei Yehoshua."

2. Rabbi Dov Ber married his wife, Kaila, lived in a small rundown house, and suffered from significant leg issues. For many years after their marriage, they were childless. At the age of thirty-six, his wife suggested he divorce her so he might remarry and have children, but the Maggid refused her suggestion.

3. Following the recommendation of his mentor, the "Pnei Yehoshua," he decided to travel to Medzhybizh, the town of the Baal Shem Tov, where he became a devoted follower and student of the Hasidic founder. The Baal Shem Tov promised the Maggid that he would have a great and praiseworthy son, and indeed in the year 1741 their son, Rabbi Avraham the Angel, was born.

4. After the Baal Shem Tov passed away, the Maggid became one of his most prominent successors. Unlike the Baal Shem Tov, who traveled widely, Rabbi Dov Ber settled in Mezeritch and dispatched his disciples to spread Hasidic teachings throughout Poland and beyond. By 1765, three major Hasidic centers were established: in Lubavitch (led by Rabbi Yissachar Ber of Lubavitch), in Karlin (led by Rabbi Aharon of Karlin and Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin), and in Horodok (led by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk).

5. From the Maggid's study house emerged the "great Hasidic aliyah," with many significant students moving to settle in the Land of Israel with their followers. The Maggid himself desired to move to Israel, but divine providence prevented him.

6. Early in his career, he wandered and preached publicly. He often lived in small towns in Russia and Poland, encouraging his listeners to distance themselves from non-Jews and their customs, and to be mindful of the precious practices unique to the Jewish people. He inspired his listeners to divine service with complete devotion. His voice was strong and penetrating. Everywhere he went, he found friends who listened to his voice, and through his good heart and pure soul, he won the hearts of his contemporaries, who cherished him.

7. The core of Rabbi Dov Ber's teachings was understanding all existence as a manifestation of the Divine Presence. As mentioned in the book "Maggid Devorav L'Yaakov": "All aspects of existence are parts of God, where divinity is infinitely revealed, operating without interruption: God is the soul of tangible realities, the body of souls made corporeal. God is the cause sitting within all existence, not an external actor. Creation is the spread of divine abundance, as the Infinite surrounds everything, emitting a constant light throughout.

As before creation all existence was within the infinite thought and preparation, so now divine influence is found in everything, sustaining and preserving it. The world is filled with the splendor of the Divine Presence, and no place is devoid of it. In this way, absolute unity is found in nature, as everything draws vitality from a singular source. As Rabbi Dov Ber said, 'His reign spreads everywhere, even within the shells. Everything, even materiality, is His holiness, and there is nothing else in the world besides Him. As is said: "there is nothing else but You."' ("Maggid Devorav L'Yaakov," page 2)

8. His disciples continued his path, spreading the light of Hasidism in the world. Among them:

• Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk - considered his greatest disciple, led the aliyah of Hasidim to the Land of Israel, author of the book "Pri Ha'aretz."
• Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi - founder of Chabad Hasidism, author of "Sefer HaTanya."
• His son Rabbi Avraham the Angel - author of "Chesed L'Avraham."
• Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowitz - known as the "Chozeh of Lublin," a founding figure of Polish Hasidism.
• Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev - author of "Kedushat Levi."
• Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk - author of "Noam Elimelech."
• Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Anipoli - brother of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, author of "Butsina D'nehura," buried near his mentor the Maggid.
• Rabbi Shmuelka of Nikolsburg.
• Rabbi Pinchas Halevi Horowitz - known as the "Ba'al HaHafla'ah," brother of Rabbi Shmuelka of Nikolsburg.
• Rabbi Aharon the Great of Karlin - founder of the Karlin Hasidism, author of "Beit Aharon."
• Rabbi Baruch of Medzhybizh - grandson of the Baal Shem Tov.
• Rabbi Yisroel of Kozhnitz - the Maggid of Kozhnitz, author of "Avodat Yisroel."
• Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpola - known as the "Zeide of Shpola."
• Rabbi Yosef Bloch - the Maggid of Satanov, author of "Ginei Yosef."

9. The Maggid did not write books himself, but his teachings were recorded and published in books by his students: "Maggid Devorav L'Yaakov" - this book was compiled during his lifetime and at his request. Other books were compiled and published after his passing: "Or HaTorah," "Or HaEmet," "Derech Yesharim," "Ktav Hakodesh," "Shmu'a Tova," "Likutei Yekarim," and the book "Igrot Kodesh," which includes letters from the Maggid of Mezeritch and his students, from the years 1761-1788.

10. Famous sayings attributed to him:

• "Know what is above you - know that everything that occurs above in the higher worlds is because of you, through human service."
• "Every lock has a corresponding key that opens it. There are powerful thieves who know how to open without a key: they break the lock. Similarly, every secret of the world can be deciphered by the dedicated focus intended for it. But Hashem loves the thief who breaks the lock, meaning the person who breaks their heart for His sake."
• "Three things you can learn from a child: he is joyous with no motive, he doesn't stay idle for even a moment, and he knows how to demand fiercely for what he needs."
• "Now, in exile, the divine spirit rests even more easily on a person than in the days when the Holy Temple stood." An allegory of a king who was dethroned and exiled, wandering from place to place. If he came to a house of the poor, even if given meager food and bedding, but received as a king, he felt relief in his heart and behaved with the household as he would in his court with his closest companions. So too, does Hashem, in exile."
• "Just as oil is hidden inside the olive, so is repentance hidden within the transgression."