Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev

Mausoleum of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in the old cemetery in Berdychiv, May 2003.

Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (1740–1809), also known as the Berdichever, was a Hasidic leader. He was the rabbi of Ryczywół, Żelechów, Pinsk and Berdychiv, for which he is best known. He was one of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, and of his disciple Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, whom he succeeded as rabbi of Ryczywół.

Reb Levi Yitzchok was known as the "defense attorney" for the Jewish people, because it was believed that he could intercede on their behalf before God. Known for his compassion for every Jew, he was therefore one of the most beloved leaders of Eastern European Jewry. He authored the Hasidic classic Kedushas Levi, which is a commentary on many Jewish religious books and laws, and is arranged according to the weekly Torah portion.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchok was known to have a very close relationship with the famous Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov called him the Peér (glory) of Israel.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchok composed some popular Hasidic religious folk songs, including Dude'le and "The Kaddish of Rebbe Levi Yitzchok (A din Toyre mit Gott)." The Yiddish prayer "God of Abraham" which many Jewish women recite at the close of the Sabbath is erroneously attributed to him.

He died on the 25th of Tishrei, 5570 (1809) and is buried in the old Jewish cemetery in Berdychiv, Ukraine.

He had three sons. The oldest one, Maier, died at a young age. The second one, Israel, succeeded his father as leader of the Hasidic movement. One of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok's grandsons married the daughter of Dovber Schneuri, the first Chabad rebbe to live in Lubavitch.

External links

• R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
• Biography and Stories about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak
• "The Berdichever Rabbi"
• Commemorative coin from Levi Yitzchok of Berdychiv, from recently discovered seal

Works

• Commentary on Pirkei Avos Hebrew
• English Translation Project