Biala (Yiddish: ביאלע) is a Hasidic dynasty originating from the city of

Biała Rawska Biała Rawska is a town in Rawa County, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland, with 3,081 inhabitants as of December 2021. History Biala Rawska is one of the oldest settlements of historic Mazovia. In the 12th century, it probably was an administrative c ...

, where it was founded by R. Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz (II) (1847 - 1905). Biala is a branch of Peshischa Hasidism, as R. Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz (II) was the great-grandson of R. Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz ("the Yid HaKadosh") (1766 - 1813), the first Peshischa Rebbe. The dynasty was originally spread throughout many towns in Poland, often taking the names of said towns. However, after the

Holocaust The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe; ...

, the name "Biala" become synonymous with the entire dynasty. Today the dynasty is mostly concentrated in

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

, America and Switzerland.

Lineage

* Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz of Peshischa (1766 - 1813) - Known as the "Yid HaKadosh", he was a disciple of R. Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz of Lublin (1745 - 1815), whom he later separated from following a notable theological difference between the two men. The Yid HaKadosh established the Peshischa school of

Hasidic thought Hasidic philosophy or Hasidism ( he, חסידות), alternatively transliterated as Hasidut or Chassidus, consists of the teachings of the Hasidic movement, which are the teachings of the Hasidic ''rebbes'', often in the form of commentary on th ...

based out of

Przysucha Przysucha is a town in south-central Poland. Located in historic Lesser Poland, it is part of the Masovian Voivodeship, about 100 km southwest of Warsaw and 40 km west of Radom. It is the capital of Przysucha County, and the town 6, ...

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...

. He breached a rationalistic and talmudic-centric approach to Hasidism which stood in contrast to the kabbalistic and miracle based court of Lublin. After his death, he was succeeded by his disciple, R. Simcha Bunem Bonhardt (1765 - 1827), who went on to become one of the foremost figures in Polish Hasidism. ** Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowicz (1784 - 1834) - Son of the Yid HaKadosh, he supported himself as a watch maker and is best known for defending R. Simcha Bunem, after an attempted was made by several Hasidic dignitaries to ban Peshischa Hasidism. *** Grand Rabbi Natan David Rabinowicz of Szydlowiec (1814 - 1866) - Son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi, he studied under R. Yissachar Ber Baron, the first Radoshitzer Rebbe. R. Natan David abandoned the doctrines of Peshischa Hasidism and instead adopted a kabbalistic and miracle-centric view of Hasidism. **** Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz (II) (1847 - 1905) - First Biala Rebbe. The son of R. Natan David, he married the daughter of R. Yehoshua of Ostrov (author of "Toldos Adam"). After his father-in-law's death he moved to Biała Podlaska, where he established his own Hasidic court and unlike his father, he embraced most parts of Peshischa Hasidism. Despite this, he still vehemently opposed the activities of

maskilim The ''Haskalah'', often termed Jewish Enlightenment ( he, השכלה; literally, "wisdom", "erudition" or "education"), was an intellectual movement among the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe, with a certain influence on those in Western Euro ...

, whom he described as "little foxes destroying the vineyard of the Lord". His teachings were posthumously published by his son R. Abraham under the title "Divrei Binah". ***** Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowicz (II) (1880 - 1906) - Son of R. Yaakov Yitzchak (II), he was an accomplished violinist and a painter and held a Hasidic court in Siedlice. ****** Grand Rabbi Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowicz (1900 - 1981) - Second Biala Rebbe. The son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi (II), he was raised by his grandfather R. Leibish of Ozarov. In 1923, he become the rebbe of Siedlice. He managed to escape

Nazi occupied Poland Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Na ...

, instead fleeing to the Russian-controlled zone, from which he was exiled to

Siberia Siberia ( ; rus, Сибирь, r=Sibir', p=sʲɪˈbʲirʲ, a=Ru-Сибирь.ogg) is an extensive region, geographical region, constituting all of North Asia, from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It has been a ...

. In 1947 he

immigrated Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not natives or where they do not possess citizenship in order to settle as permanent residents or naturalized citizens. Commuters, tourists, and ...

Mandatory Palestine Mandatory Palestine ( ar, فلسطين الانتدابية '; he, פָּלֶשְׂתִּינָה (א״י) ', where "E.Y." indicates ''’Eretz Yiśrā’ēl'', the Land of Israel) was a geopolitical entity established between 1920 and 1948 ...

and settled in

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the ...

. He was in the forefront of activity to maintain adherence to traditional Judaism amongst the masses. He was one of the founders of the

Chinuch Atzmai Jewish education ( he, חינוך, ''Chinuch'') is the transmission of the tenets, principles, and religious laws of Judaism. Known as the "people of the book", Jews value education, and the value of education is strongly embedded in Jewish cul ...

educational network, and he served on the

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (, "Council of great Torah ages) is the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of the Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah movements in Israel; and of Agudath Israel of America in the United States. Members are usually pr ...

. ******* Grand Rabbi Bezalel Simcha Menachem Ben-Zion Rabinowicz (b. 1935) - Third and current Biala Rebbe. The son of R. Yechiel Yehoshua, he served as the rabbi of the city of

Lugano Lugano (, , ; lmo, label=Ticinese dialect, Ticinese, Lugan ) is a city and municipality in Switzerland, part of the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino. It is the largest city of both Ticino and the Italian-speaking southern Switzerland. Luga ...

. He is a member of the

Agudat Yisrael Agudat Yisrael ( he, אֲגוּדָּת יִשְׂרָאֵל, lit., ''Union of Israel'', also transliterated ''Agudath Israel'', or, in Yiddish, ''Agudas Yisroel'') is a Haredi Jewish political party in Israel. It began as a political party re ...

. ******* Grand Rabbi David Matisyahu Rabinowicz (1927 - 1997) - Baila Rebbe of Bnei Brak. He founded the Yeshiva "Biala Or Kedoshim". The son of R. Yechiel Yehoshua. ******** Grand Rabbi Yaakov Menachem - Baila Rebbe of Bnei Brak. The son of R. David Matisyahu. ******** Grand Rabbi Aharon Shlomo Chaim Eleazar Rabinowicz, Baila Rebbe of

Boro Park Borough Park (also spelled Boro Park) is a neighborhood in the southwestern part of the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City. The neighborhood is bordered by Bensonhurst to the south, Dyker Heights to the southwest, Sunset Park to the west, ...

. The son of R. David Matisyahu. ******** Grand Rabbi Avraham Yerachmiel Rabinowicz - Ostrov-Biala Rebbe. The son of R. David Matisyahu. ******* Grand Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Menachem Rabinowicz (1926 - 2010) - Biala Rebbe of

Ramat Aharon Ramat Aharon ( he, רׇמַת אַהֲרֹן) is a neighbourhood in the eastern part of Bnei Brak, Israel. The neighbourhood was established in 1967 and was named after Rabbi Aharon Kotler.English language description on plaque in the neighbourhoo ...

. The Son of R. Yechiel Yehoshua, he was known for his support of

Zionism Zionism ( he, צִיּוֹנוּת ''Tsiyyonut'' after '' Zion'') is a nationalist movement that espouses the establishment of, and support for a homeland for the Jewish people centered in the area roughly corresponding to what is known in Je ...

and the State of Israel. ******** Grand Rabbi Baruch Shlomo Leib Rabinowicz - Baila Rebbe of Har Yonah. The son of R. Yitzchak Yaakov Menachem. ******** Grand Rabbi David Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowicz - Biala Rebbe of

. The son of R. Yitzchak Yaakov Menachem. ******* Grand Rabbi Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehuda Rabinowicz (1923 - 2003) - Baila-Peshischa Rebbe. The son of R. Yechiel Yehoshua. He moved to the neighbourhood of

Har Nof Har Nof ( he, הר נוף, lit. ''scenic mountain'') is a neighborhood on a hillside on the western boundary of Jerusalem with a population of 20,000 residents, primarily Orthodox Jews. History In Talmudic times, Har Nof was an agricultural settl ...

, where he established the

Beit Midrash A ''beth midrash'' ( he, בית מדרש, or ''beis medrash'', ''beit midrash'', pl. ''batei midrash'' "House of Learning") is a hall dedicated for Torah study, often translated as a "study hall." It is distinct from a synagogue (''beth kness ...

"Toldot Yechiel Biala-Peshisha". ******** Grand Rabbi Yaakov Elimelech Rabinowitz - Baila-Peshischa Rebbe of Ashdod. The son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehuda. ******** Grand Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Menachem Mendel Rabinowicz - Biala-Peshischa Rebbe of Bnei Brak. The son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehuda. ******** Grand Rabbi Moshe Rabinowicz - Current Baila-Peshischa Rebbe. The son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehuda, he took over his father's Beit Midrash in Har Nof. ******** Grand Rabbi Baruch Leib Rabinowicz - Current Baila Rebbe of London. The son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehuda. ********* Grand Rabbi Asher Yeshaya Rabinowicz - Current Biala Rebbe of New City. The son of R. Baruch Leib. ******** Grand Rabbi Simcha Ben-Zion Yitzchak Rabinowicz - Baila-Peshicha Rebbe of Ramat Shlomo. The son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi Yehuda. ****** Grand Rabbi Nathan David Rabinowicz (1899 - 1947) - Son of R. Yerachmiel Tzvi (II), he was the Baila Rebbe of

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. He married the daughter of R. Alter Yisroel Shimon Perlow I (1874 - 1933), 2nd Novominsker Rebbe. He moved to London in 1927 where he established a

shtiebel A shtiebel ( ''shtibl'', pl. ''shtiblekh'' or shtiebels, meaning "little house" or "little room" cognate with German Stübel) is a place used for communal Jewish prayer. In contrast to a formal synagogue, a shtiebel is far smaller and approached ...

off Brick Lane. His ethical will, "Divrei David" was published in London in 1948. ******* Rabbi Tzvi Rabinowicz (1919 - 2002) - Author of several academic works on Hasidism. ***** Grand Rabbi Natan David Rabinowicz (II) (1868 - 1930) - Parzcever rebbe. The son of R. Yaakov Yitzchak (II), and a staunch opponent of the

Haskalah The ''Haskalah'', often termed Jewish Enlightenment ( he, השכלה; literally, "wisdom", "erudition" or "education"), was an intellectual movement among the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe, with a certain influence on those in Western Euro ...

and

. He married the daughter of R. Yechiel Yaakov Hopsztajn (1846–1866), the fifth Kozhnitzer Rebbe. ****** Grand Rabbi Moshe Yechiel Elimelech Rabinowicz (1895 - 1942) - Son of R. Natan David (II). He married the daughter of R. Yisroel Szapira, son of R.

Elimelech Szapira Rabbi Elimelech Szapira of Grodzhisk (1823–1892) was the leading Hasidic rebbe of his time in Poland. He was a ' (follower) of the Rizhiner Rebbe. After the death of his father, the ''Sorof'' of Mogelnica, he assumed leadership of the Grodz ...

, the Grodzhisker Rebbe (1823 - 1892). He authored several works in

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officia ...

. ****** Avraham Yaakov Shapira, Drohobycer Rebbe, son in law of Rabbi Nosson Dovid, married Esther Golda and lived in Yerushalayim. ****** Grand Rabbi Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel Rabinowicz (1913 - 1997) - Son of R. Natan David (II). He married the daughter of R. Chaim Elazar Spira, the fifth Munkacser Rebbe, after he death he succeeded. Unlike his both his father and father-in-law, R. Baruch was sympathetic to

and the State of Israel. Because of his progressive beliefs, the Hasidim of Munkacs crowned his son, R. Moshe Leib as the Munkacser Rebbe. R. Baruch later moved to Petah Tikva where he headed a small Beis Hamedrash until his death in 1997. ******* Grand Rabbi Moshe Leib Rabinovich (b. 1940) - Seventh and present Munkacser Rebbe. Son of R. Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel. Throughout his life, he maintained a close relationship with the Satmar Rebbe, R. Joel Teitelbaum, several of whose children his children married.

Main books

* ''Toldos Adam'' (by Rebbe Yehoshua of Ostrova, the father-in-law of the first Biala Rebbe) * Divrei Binah (by the first Biala Rebbe) * ''Aron Eidus'' (by Rebbe Shraga Yoir of

Białobrzegi Białobrzegi is a town in Poland, in Masovian Voivodeship, about south of Warsaw. It is the capital of the Białobrzegi County and Gmina Białobrzegi (commune). The town is located on the border of the ''Białobrzegi Valley'' and ''Radom Plai ...

, the brother of the Divrei Binah) * ''Zichron Mishlei'' (by Rebbe Meir Shlomo of Mezritch, the son of the Divrei Binah) * ''Yeshuas Avraham'' (by Rebbe Avrohom Yehoshua Heshl of Lublin, the son of the Divrei Binah) * ''Chelkas Yehoshua'' and ''Seder HaYom'' (by Rebbe Yechiel Yehoshua) * ''Lehavas David' (by Rebbe Dovid Matisyahu of Biala-Bnei Brak) * ''Mevaser Tov'' (by Rebbe Ben-Zion of Biala)—parts of which have been translated int
English
A translation of ''Seder HaYom'' into English has been published by the Biala Rebbe of America. The version of the prayer-book used by Biala Hasidim is called ''Siddur Chelkas Yehoshua''.

External links

The Biala Rebbe Official Website

Biala Institutions of America Official Website

Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Israel
{{Hasidic dynasties Hasidic dynasties of Poland Hasidic Judaism in Europe Hasidic Judaism in Israel Hasidic Judaism in the United States Jews and Judaism in Switzerland Orthodox Judaism in Poland

Lineage

Main books

See also

External links