Editing Modzitz (section)

==Rebbe Yisrael Taub (1849–1920)==
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Rebbe Yisrael Taub, second son of Rebbe Shmuel Eliyahu Taub of [[Zvolin]], was born in 1849. In 1888, he succeeded his father as a [[rebbe]] of the Zvoliner Hasidim. In 1891, he settled in ''Modrzyc'', a village near the town of [[Dęblin|Demblin]], [[Poland]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jewishinstitute.org.pl/en/gminy/miasto/400.html |title=Jewish Historical Institute |access-date=2007-11-21 |archive-date=2011-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024200/http://www.jewishinstitute.org.pl/en/gminy/miasto/400.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He became known as the Modzhitzer Rebbe (after his place of residence), thus establishing the dynasty of Modzhitz. He composed many melodies that are still sung by Hasidim and others today. He suffered from [[diabetes]], and in 1913, he traveled to [[James Israel|Professor Israel]] in [[Berlin]]. The only way to save his life was by amputating his gangrenous leg (a consequence of diabetes). Before the operation, the rebbe observed the beautiful Berlin architecture, which upset him by comparison with the desolation of the holy city of Jerusalem. During the operation, he composed his epic masterpiece, based on the words of ''Eleh Ezkero'' (recited on [[Yom Kippur]]).<ref>{{cite book |author=M S Geshuri |location= Jerusalem, Israel |title=נגינה וחסידות בקוזמיר Melody and Chasidus in Kuzmir |year=1952}}</ref> Modzhitzer Hasidim sing this tune each year when they gather to commemorate his [[Bereavement in Judaism|yahrzeit]].

His teachings on [[Book of Genesis|Breishis]], [[Book of Exodus|Shemos]], and [[Leviticus|Vayikra]] have been collected in his work ''Divrei Yisrael''. Unfortunately, the writings on [[Book of Numbers|Bamidbar]] and [[Deuteronomy|Devarim]] were lost. In 2008, his great-grandson, known as the Grand Rabbi of Modzitz, Rabbi Yisrael Dovid Taub, printed a collection of his teachings on [[Book of Numbers|Bamidbar]] and [[Deuteronomy|Devarim]], and his own works based on his grandfather's previously printed works. These works were accepted in the world as the original parts of Divrei Yisrael.

When he died on 24 November 1920, he was succeeded by his son, Rebbe Shaul Yedidya Elazar Taub.
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