Editing Rebbe (section)

== The Hasidic rebbe {{anchor|Rebbe (Hasidism)}} {{anchor|Chasidic Rebbes}} ==
A Hasidic rebbe ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɛ|b|ɛ}}) is generally taken to mean a great leader of a [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] [[List of Hasidic dynasties|dynasty]], also referred to as "Grand Rabbi" in English or an ''ADMOR'', a [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] acronym for '''''Ad'''oneinu'''-Mo'''reinu-ve'''R'''abbeinu'' ("our lord/master, teacher, and rabbi"). Outside of Hasidic circles, the term "Grand Rabbi" has been used to refer to a rabbi with a higher spiritual status. The practice became widespread in America in the early 1900s when Hasidic rebbes began to emigrate to the United States and was derived from the [[German language|German]] ''Grossrabbiner''.

Rabbi [[Israel ben Eliezer|Yisroel Baal Shem Tov]], the founder of Hasidism, is regarded by Hasidim as the first Hasidic rebbe.<ref name="Heilman" /> During his lifetime he was referred to mainly as "The holy" rather than as "Rebbe", and his disciples were "[[Maggid|magidim]]" or "preachers", such as the [[Mordechai Twersky|Magid of Chernobyl]] or the [[Magid of Mezritsh|Magid of Mezritch]].

The first "rebbe" to be known as such was the Baal Shem Tov's grandson, Rabbi Boruch of [[Medzhibozh (Hasidic dynasty)|Mezhibozh]], who was referred to as "The Rebbe" during his lifetime. After him, those who rose to positions of leadership and their successors began to be called ''rebbe''. The title gradually came to suggest a higher spiritual status.

Each Hasidic group refers to its leader as "the rebbe".

[[Hannah Rachel Verbermacher]], also known as the [[Maiden of Ludmir]] or the "Ludmirer Moyd", was the only female rebbe in the history of the Hasidic movement; she lived in the 19th century in Ukraine and Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Maiden_of_Ludmir|title=YIVO - Maiden of Ludmir|website=www.yivoencyclopedia.org|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4WylwfJNOoC&q=biography+maiden+ludmir|title=The Maiden of Ludmir: A Jewish Holy Woman and Her World|first=Nathaniel|last=Deutsch|date=6 October 2003|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520927971|access-date=1 May 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref>

=== Relationship of Hasidim to their rebbe ===
==== Rebbe as tzadik ====
According to [[Maimonides]],<ref>Tractate Yevamot of the [[Babylonian Talmud]] 49b–50a: "One whose merit surpasses his iniquity is a ''tzadik''". [[Mishneh Torah]], ''Sefer Madda'', Laws of [[repentance in Judaism|Repentance]] 3:1</ref> a tzadik is "one whose merit surpasses [his/her] iniquity", and every person can reach the level of a Tzadik. According to the [[Tanya (Judaism)|Tanya]], a tzadik has no evil inclination, and only a select few predestined to attain this level can attain it. According to [[Kabbalah]] (and particularly the Hasidic understanding of Kabbalah), the world is sustained on the "shoulders" of [[Tzadikim Nistarim]], divinely predestined exceptionally righteous people in a generation. Nobody knows who was such a tzaddik, even one of these exceptionally righteous people would not know that they are such a tzadik. These people are understood to have perfected their service of God to such an extent that they become literally and physically aware of God. These righteous people's perception (of both spiritual and physical, not to mention temporal matters) transcends the apparent boundaries of existence.

However, a Hasidic rebbe is generally said to be a righteous person, called a "[[tzaddik]]".<ref name=" Heilman"/> Furthermore, a rebbe is said to be able to affect divine providence, and a rebbe is said to be able to "see the future", or at least have strong insight into the life and trials of another.

As a result, Hasidim in some Hasidic circles seek their rebbe's advice for a variety of concerns: spiritual, physical, and even business concerns. Furthermore, many people seek the blessing ''([[Berakhah|bracha]])'' of a rebbe (and a Hasid will specifically seek the blessing of his rebbe) for anything, from minor (and all the more so major) physical troubles, to grand spiritual concerns.

==== Tzadik HaDor ====
In some movements the Hasidim believe that their rebbe is the "''tzadik hador''" ([[Tzadik#Tzaddik of the Generation|tzaddik of the generation]]) and would regard any thought that detracts from his perfection and holiness as heresy. Other sects lessen this idealization to some degree or another. Since many rebbes are sons-in-law or students of other rebbes, it makes sense that they would view themselves as subordinate to those other rebbes. Nonetheless, their Hasidim remain loyal to them because of their special loyalty, a family connection, or a belief that a specific ''[[tzaddik]]'' or Nasi HaDor (although others might have greater spiritual stature) connects best with one's soul. For example, the [[Kosov (Hasidic dynasty)|Kosover]] Rebbe makes yearly pilgrimages to the [[Tosh (Hasidic dynasty)|Tosher]] Rebbe. Nonetheless, his followers remain very loyal to him.

==== Rebbe as conduit ====
Unlike rabbis or non-Hasidic rebbes in other Jewish movements, [[Hasidic Judaism]] considers a "Hasidic rebbe" to be a conduit between Jews and God.<ref name=" Heilman" /> based on traditional Kabbalistic concepts and terminology, [[Hasidic philosophy]] bridged [[deveikut]], a Jewish concept referring to closeness to God, to the Hasidic rebbe, embodying and channeling the [[Ayin and Yesh|Divine flow]] of blessing to the world, because Creation is dependent on the continuous flow of Divine lifeforce, without which it would revert to nothingness.<ref>"God and the Zaddik as the two focal points of Hasidic worship" Ada Rapoport-Albert, in ''Essential Papers on Hasidism'', edited by Gershon Hundert, NYU Press, 1991</ref>

==== Hasidic followers of a rebbe ====
Given a rebbe's physical awareness of God and the rebbe's transcendent perception of Godliness, many Hasidim take special care to observe their rebbe's specific and sometimes minute practices. Even things that seem mundane may nonetheless be seen by Hasidim as incredibly significant. For example, [[Chabad|Lubavitch]]er Hasidim frequently shape their [[fedora]]s to match the way that the Lubavitcher Rebbe shaped his hat, which was more flat than many others. Many [[Skver]]er Hasidim (of the Skverer Rebbe in [[New Square]]) wear their [[peyos]] identical to those of the Skverer Rebbe.

While Hasidim do not always follow the specific practices of their rebbe, the rebbe can create practices that may be specific and unique to his Hasidim. For example, Rabbi Aaron Roth (''Reb Areleh'', as he was called) the first rebbe of [[Toldos Aharon|Shomer Emunim]], told his Hasidim to pause frequently while eating their meals to keep them from overindulging. A Hasid will usually display love and admiration for their rebbe as they would a close family member, if not more so. However, the degree and nature of this belief vary depending on the movement.

=== Functions of a Hasidic rebbe ===
{{Main|Tish (Hasidic celebration)|kvitel}}
[[File:bostonertischbeitar.jpg|thumb|The Bostoner Rebbe ''feert [[Tish (Hasidic celebration)|tish]]'', lit. "runs [a] table" in his synagogue in [[Beitar Illit]]]]

There are some functions that are exclusively the domain of Hasidic rebbes:

A rebbe conducts a ''[[Tish (Hasidic celebration)|tish]]'' ({{langx|yi|פֿירט טיש}}: ''feert tish'', literally, "to run [a] table") or a ''farbrengen''—a communal festive meal with highly mystical overtones—on [[Shabbat]] and other occasions. At a tish, the rebbe distributes ''shirayim'' ({{lit|remnants}}) to the Hasidim seated at or gathered around the table. When a gathering similar to a ''tish'' is led by a rabbi who is not a rebbe (i.e. a [[Mashpia]]), it can be referred to as a ''botte'' (esp. amongst groups from Romania) or ''sheves Achim''.

A rebbe has times when Hasidim (and other petitioners) may come for a private audience. A [[kvitel]] (Yiddish for "note", plural ''kvitlach'') is a note with the name of the petitioner and a short request for which the rebbe is asked to pray. The formula in which a person's name is written is one's own Hebrew name, the son/daughter of one's mother's Hebrew name, such as ''Shimon ben Rivkah'' (Simeon the son of Rebecca). Hasidim believes that rebbes read supernaturally "between the lines" of a ''kvitel'', and in every Hasidic movement there are numerous anecdotes relating how the rebbe saw things that were not written in the ''kvitel''.

In most Hasidic groups, the ''kvitel'' is written by the rebbe's ''[[gabbai]]'' (secretary), however, sometimes the petitioner writes it on his own. Usually, but with some exceptions, a ''pidyon'' (redemption) of cash is customarily handed to the rebbe under the ''kvitel'', but this is not obligatory. This is considered to be the [[Conduit (spiritualism)|conduit]] through which the blessing is given, and a redemption for the soul of the petitioner. ("A gift makes its receiver glad" is given as an explanation: a blessing only comes from a joyous heart.) It is also customary to tip the gabbai, although this too is not obligatory.

Other tasks are not exclusive to Hasidic rebbes but are important roles they play in their community similar to other [[rabbi]]s. These include the leading of prayer on [[Shabbat]] and [[Jewish holidays|Holy Days]], performing [[Mitzvah|mitzvot]] with their Hasidim, and participating in or officiating at weddings, ''[[bris|brit milahs]]'', and other events. Hasidic rebbes also play a central role in the intellectual and social life of their communities, delivering sermons and dialogues and building educational and religious institutions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vienna Celebrates 'the Most Influential Rabbi of Modern History'|agency=Connection Newspapers|date=May 7, 2014|location=Alexandria, VA|quote=Chabad Tysons Jewish Center will present Paradigm Shift: Transformational Life Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a new six-session course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. The course will be offered as part of a series of local activities in Northern Virginia marking 20 years since the passing of "the Rebbe", Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory. The Rebbe was a visionary religious leader who inspired countless individuals during his lifetime and established a global network of educational, social, and religious institutions to revive the post-holocaust Jewish landscape.}}</ref>

=== Typology of Hasidic rebbes ===
[[Zalman Schachter-Shalomi]] theorized that the historical Hasidic Rebbes may be viewed as occupying one or several of the following roles or functions about their support of their followers:<ref>{{cite book|title=Spiritual Intimacy: A Study of Counseling in Hasidism|first=Zalman Meshullam|last=Schachter-Shalomi|publisher=Jason Aronson|year=1991}}</ref>{{rp|59–71}}

* ''The Rav'': This role refers to Hasidic Rebbes who also served as ordained rabbis serving Jewish communities. Examples of this type cited by Schachter-Shalom include [[Shmelke of Nikolsburg]] and [[Pinchas Horowitz]]. For some Hasidic Rebbes, such as [[Chaim Halberstam]] of Sanz, the term Rav was used instead of Rebbe.
* ''The Good Jew'': This role, known in [[Yiddish]] as the ''Guter Yid'', refers to a popular Hasidic Rebbe who is viewed as enjoying God's favor and whose legacies spoke to the conditions of struggling Hasidim. This role was viewed as a continuation of the Talmudic legacy of individuals such as [[Honi HaMe'agel]]. Examples of Hasidic Rebbes of this type cited include [[Aryeh Leib of Shpola]] and [[Berishil of Krakow]].
* ''The Seer'': This role, known in [[Hebrew]] as the ''Chozeh'', refers to a Hasidic Rebbe was ascribed prophetic powers. Examples of this type cited include the [[Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin|Seer of Lublin]] and his student [[Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov]].
* ''The Miracle Worker'': This role, known in Hebrew as the ''Ba'al Mofet'', was often assumed by Hasidim to involve expertise in [[Practical Kabbalah]]. Examples cited include [[Radoshitz (Hasidic dynasty)|Ber of Radoshitz]].
* ''The Healer'': This role is understood as involving more than mere healing but also involved the expectation that the Hasid would alter his behavior to merit healing.
** ''The Gaon'': A variant of the healer-type was the Talmudic genius (''gaon'') who could offer blessing through the merit of his Talmudic study. This tradition was not limited to Hasidism but also was applied to non-Hasidic rabbis such as [[Yechezkel Landau]] of Prague and the [[Gaon of Vilna]].
* ''The Son or Grandson of the Tzaddik'': This role applied to Hasidic Rebbes who would utilize ancestral merit of a Hasidic predecessor to invoke blessing. In Yiddish, the term ''einykel'' (grandson) would sometimes be used. Often, this role involved the use of petitions at the gravesite of the Hasidic predecessor. Examples cited of this type include [[Boruch of Medzhybizh]] who was the grandson of the [[Baal Shem Tov]], the founder of Hasidism.
* ''The Block Rebbe'': This type is viewed to have developed in New York City from 1900 to 1940 and involved a grandfatherly role to local Jewish residents.
* ''The Kabbalist'': This role, also known in Hebrew as the ''Ba'al M'kubal'', involved expertise in the theoretical teachings of Jewish mysticism. Examples cited include [[Shneur Zalman of Lyady]] (the founder of [[Chabad]] Hasidism), [[Yisroel Hopstein]] (the Maggid of Kozhnitz), and [[Komarno (Hasidic dynasty)|Isaac of Komarno]].
* ''The Spiritual Guide'': This role, known in Hebrew as the ''Moreh Derekh'' ("Teacher of the Path"), reflects the Hasidic notion that Rebbe is the expert on matters of the Love and Fear of God. The Hasidic Rebbe [[Aharon Roth]] reportedly insisted on the use of this term. While Schachter-Shalom notes that Hasidim valued the living guide over the use of books, some Rebbes, such as [[Sholom Dovber Schneersohn|Shalom Dovber of Lubavitch]], wrote various tracts for different types of spiritual seekers.
* ''The Tzaddik of the Generation'': This role, known in Hebrew as ''Tzaddik HaDor'', or ''Rashey Alafim'' ("Head of Thousands"), invokes the stature of Biblical leaders and is viewed mystically as the conduit of all blessing for the Jewish people of that generation.