Rabbi Dovber of Mezritch

Little is known about the immediate background and early life of Rabbi Dovber, later known as the Maggid of Mezeritch.

Even the exact year of his birth is unknown, but it would appear that he was born at the end of the seventeenth century at about the same time as the Baal Shem Tov. His parents  Avraham and Chavah traced their ancestry back to David Hamelech. It is told that when Rabbi Dovber was five years old his home was destroyed by fire. His mother stood by the charred remains and wept bitterly. “It is not for the house that I weep,” she explained to the child, “but for the records of our family tree which have been burnt.”

“Then start a new line from me,” returned the child.

All his time was devoted to the study of the Torah and he was recognized as a great Talmudic scholar. As was not uncommon among Talmidei Chachomim in those days, Rabbi Dovber delved into the significant ethical treatises of  Kabbalah. From these he adopted their prescriptions of strict fasts . He lived a simple life of great poverty by choice rather than of necessity, for it is recorded that he refused to accept numerous calls to become Rabbi and spiritual leader of great communities.

The Maggid suffered from lameness in his left foot and was generally of a weak conditon. His life of self-denial aggravated his condition. His ill health, however, was one of the causes for his first meeting with the Baal Shem Tov. It is related that his teacher, the famed author of the Pnei Yehoshua, endeavored to persuade him to visit the Baal Shem Tov to seek a cure for his ailments.

The Maggid remained with the Baal Shem Tov for some time, to learn from him.

Reports show that the Maggid visited the Baal Shem Tov only twice. The second time he remained for six months. Rabbi Dovber related that the Baal Shem Tov taught him everything to the most intricate details of the various works of the Kabbalah and the “language of the birds and trees."

During the period between his first meeting with the Baal Shem Tov and his becoming leader of the Chassidim, Rabbi Dovber was appointed Maggid  of the communities of Mezeritch and Koritz.

The year 5520 (1760) saw the passing of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov. His son Rabbi Tzvi assumed  leadership of   the chassidim and remained in that position for one year. On the day following yahrzeit, Rabbi Tzvi  adressed  the   assembeld     chassidim and   upon concluding his discourse said: “Today, my father came to me and told me that the Heavenly Court had decided that I must hand over the  leadership  to Reb Dovber".

The Chassidic center now moved from Mezibush to Mezritch.

In the autumn of 5533 (1772) Rabbi Dovber took to his bed. On Kislev 18, he summoned the members of the Chevrah Kaddish a  and told them  “My children, always stay together and you will overcome everything. You will go ever forward and not back.”

On Tuesday, Kislev 19, 5533 (1772) Rabbi Dovber, the great Maggid of Mezeritch, returned his holy soul to heaven. He passed on in the town of Anipoli.