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Letter by the Yenukah mi-Stolin, R. Israel Perlow (1868-1921), Admor of Karlin. R. Israel - the child rebbe - was born in Kislev and named after the Besht. His father died in 1873, when he was only five years old. His mother, Deborah, and the hasidim decided to "crown" him rebbe, appointing R. Israel Benjamin Gloerman his guide and tutor. At his bar mitzvah, in 1881, he took over the leadership of the hasidim. He married Brachah Sheindel, the daughter of R. David Twersky of Zlatopol.
With his knowledge of Russian and German, he was able to deal effectively with the secular authorities on matters relating to the Jewish community. He sent special emissaries to collect funds for the kollel in the Holy Land. He did not deliver regular discourses. He prayed silently. However, his Melaveh Malkah was conducted to musical accompaniment. He and his three sons formed a quartet. Even mitnaggedim sought his guidance. He was an opponent of both the Aguda and the Mizrachi. He composed two testaments: one addressed to his family and the other to his followers.
In the testament to his family, he wrote as follows: "If my end comes while I am traveling, my body shall not be carried to my home, unless the place be only a few hours' distance from Mlynov [the burial place of R. Aaron the Great and R. Asher the First] or Drohobycz [the burial place of R. Asher the Second]. If it be the local custom to set up an ohel [structure over the grave], mine shall not be a large one but only medium-sized. If it be the custom to set up a tombstone, only my name and my father's name shall be inscribed on it, without any titles."
In a special letter dated 12 Tammuz 1921, he exhorted his followers to guard against dissension caused by flatterers and hypocrites. He urged his followers to form "one united band."
At the time when Sarah Schenierer was in the process of establishing a Bet Yaakov school in Cracow, he stressed the importance of religious education for girls. In his court were noted composers of music, the best known of whom were R. Jacob from Telekham and R. Yossele Talner. He was deeply concerned with the welfare of the settlers of the Old Yishuv, and he wrote thirty-six letters to his followers in the Holy Land.
He had six sons and four daughters. Accompanied by his two sons R. Asher and R. Hayyim, he went for medical advice to Berlin and then to a convalescent home in Hamburg, Germany, where he died. He was buried in Frankfurt-am-Main. Hence, he is referred to by the hasidim as the "man of Frankfurt." His mother, Deborah, died on the very same day. He was succeeded by his eldest son, R. Abraham Elimelekh. The Yenukah more than fulfilled the hope and aspirations of his youth. He became a father to his people and a wise and erudite counselor, and he was unique even in Hasidism, a movement known for its innovation. |
