Hillel HaLevi Malisov of Paritch, a

levite Levites (or Levi) (, he, ''Lǝvīyyīm'') are Jewish males who claim patrilineal descent from the Tribe of Levi. The Tribe of Levi descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. The surname ''Halevi'', which consists of the Hebrew de ...

by birth, commonly known as Reb Hillel Paritcher (1795-1864) was a famous

Orthodox Jewish Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist and theologically conservative branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as revealed by God to Moses on ...

Chabad Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (), is an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic dynasty. Chabad is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic group ...

Rabbi A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as '' semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form o ...

in Russia. Specifically, he served as a Mashpia (

Hasidic Hasidism, sometimes spelled Chassidism, and also known as Hasidic Judaism ( Ashkenazi Hebrew: חסידות ''Ḥăsīdus'', ; originally, "piety"), is a Jewish religious group that arose as a spiritual revival movement in the territory of conte ...

mentor) and communal rabbi in the towns of Paritch (Parwich Parichi), near

Minsk Minsk ( be, Мінск ; russian: Минск) is the capital and the largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative stat ...

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-ei ...

, and Bobroisk,

Belarus Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by ...

. He was considered exceptional in his scholarship and piety, and is referred to as a

Tzadik Tzadik ( he, צַדִּיק , "righteous ne, also ''zadik'', ''ṣaddîq'' or ''sadiq''; pl. ''tzadikim'' ''ṣadiqim'') is a title in Judaism given to people considered righteous, such as biblical figures and later spiritual masters. Th ...

, and even as a "half

Rebbe A Rebbe ( yi, רבי, translit=rebe) or Admor ( he, אדמו״ר) is the spiritual leader in the Hasidic movement, and the personalities of its dynasties.Heilman, Samuel"The Rebbe and the Resurgence of Orthodox Judaism."''Religion and Spiritu ...

." He was born in Khmilnyk, Ukraine, but grew up in Chemtz ( which is in the vicinity of

). Although he was originally a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, he became a disciple of Rabbi

Shneur Zalman of Liadi Shneur Zalman of Liadi ( he, שניאור זלמן מליאדי, September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O.S. / 18 Elul 5505 – 24 Tevet 5573) was an influential Lithuanian Jewish rabbi and the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad, a branch of ...

(though he never saw him) after learning in a “hidden” Tanya without the title page. In 1815 he began to travel regularly to Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch and, after the latter’s passing, became a disciple of Rabbi Dovber's successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel.

Activities

Jewish agricultural settlement in the

Kherson Governorate The Kherson Governorate (1802–1922; russian: Херсонская губерния, translit.: ''Khersonskaya guberniya''; uk, Херсонська губернія, translit=Khersonska huberniia), was an administrative territorial unit (als ...

area had been initiated and encouraged by Rabbi Dovber. In 1818 Rabbi Dovber instructed Rabbi Hillel to visit these colonies regularly, saying, "Harvest material (gather funds for those in need) and sow spiritual (guide and inspire the colonists)." He provided conscripted soldiers ( cantonists) in Bobroisk with kosher food, and aided Jews imprisoned there. Rabbi Hillel's appointment was emphatically confirmed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel. He died in Kherson on Shabbos, 11 Av, 5624 (1864 CE).

Scholarship and piety

Hillel was born with exceptional gifts, and he strove diligently in Torah study. At thirteen he had mastered the

Talmud The Talmud (; he, , Talmūḏ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law ('' halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the ce ...

, and at fifteen, the

Kabbalistic Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and Jewish theology, school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "rece ...

works of the Arizal. The latter accomplishment was a wonder even then. In addition, he trained himself in self-discipline to the point that his body was mobilized to act only as the Torah prescribes, and even to conform with Kabbalah. Rabbi Hillel's way was to study Chasidic texts for many hours and then pray and meditate for many hours.

Aphorisms

*"If those who indulge in lusts were to know the tremendous pleasure in matters of G-dliness that can be attained through study of Chasidus, and especially of the Holy Tanya, they would abandon all their lusts and pursue only the Holy Tanya

*"Those who stay in the dark for long enough start to think that the darkness is light

*"Every Chossid needs a chossid to be his mentor."

Works

Pelach Harimon.
A profound discourse of Chasidic philosophy on ''Bereishis'', ''Shemos'', ''Vayikra'', and ''Shir HaShirim''. It includes many explanations of the Rebbes of Chabad not cited elsewhere, and which received the firm approbations of almost all the grandchildren of Rabbi Menachem Mendel. First printed in 1881 by the author's grandson, Pinchas HaLevi. It was printed by the Kehot Publication Society, and can be rea
here
an
here

*Commentary on ''Kuntres HaHispa'alus'' of Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch. *''Imrei No'am'', Chasidic discourses.
A tune
composed by Rabbi Hillel.

References

Biography of Rabbi Hillel
(Hebrew)

External links

Story of Rabbi HillelYeshiva students honor Rabbi Hillel on 140th YahrtzeitRabbi Hillel
(Hebrew) {{DEFAULTSORT:Paritcher, Hillel Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis Russian Hasidic rabbis Hasidic rabbis in Europe Philosophers of Judaism 1795 births 1864 deaths Chabad-Lubavitch (Hasidic dynasty) Chabad-Lubavitch Mashpiim