Lineage of the Izhbitza-Radzin dynasty }
First generation The Izhbitzer-Radziner dynasty was established on
Succos 5600 (1839) by Rabbi
Mordechai Yosef Leiner, author of the
"Mei Hashiloach". He was a close disciple of Rabbi
Simcha Bunim of Peshischa. After Simcha Bunim's death, Mordechai Yosef joined the court of his long-time childhood friend, Rabbi
Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, who appointed him to guide the young chassidim who joined Kotzk. When the Kotzker Rebbe began distancing himself from his chassidim, Mordechai Yosef felt it was time for him to begin leading those who were in need of a Rebbe. He left Kotzk, settling in Izhbitza, being known hence as the "Izhbitzer Rebbe". He died 7
Teves 5614 (1854), and was buried in Izhbitza. A number of years after his death a small part of his ideas were put to writing by his grandson, Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner of Radzin.
Second generation After the death of the
Mei Hashiloach, most of his followers appointed his eldest son, Rabbi Yaakov Leiner, author of
"Beis Yaakov" and
"Sefer Hazemanim",). He expanded vastly the Torah of his father, and constantly spoke Torah to his chassidim. During his days the numbers of Izhbitzer Chassidim grew vastly, as he was much more accommodating for newcomers. Many of his thoughts were later published in Beis Yaakov, by his son and successor, Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner of Radzin. The Beis Yaakov died 15
Av 5638 (1878) in
Druzgenik,
Lithuania, and was buried in the nearby village of
Rotnica, Lithuania.
Third generation After the death of the
Beis Yaakov, his followers appointed his eldest son, Rabbi
Gershon Henoch Leiner, author of
"Orchos Chayim" (on the
Tzava'ah - the will - of the
Tana Rabbi
Eliezer HaGadol) as his successor. He was the first rebbe in the dynasty known as "The Radziner Rebbe". Rav Gershon Henoch was a student of his grandfather and father. The Rebbe is referred to by Radziner Chasidim as the
"Orchos Chayim", based on his above-mentioned work. (When the Rebbe published this work, he commented to his brother that he's happy that he got to print his Tzava'ah.) In the larger world, the Rebbe is better known as the ''Ba'al HaTecheiles''. He led his followers with a more extreme leadership, similar to that of his grandfather, differing from his father's style. The Orchos Chaim died 4 Teves 5651 (1890), and was buried in Radzin.
Fourth generation After the death of the
Orchos Chaim, his followers appointed his only son, Rabbi
Mordechai Yosef Elazar Leiner, the "
Tiferes Yosef", as Radziner Rebbe. The Tiferes Yosef led his followers with a very calm leadership. Thus in his days Radziner Chassidim numbered in the thousands. He was very instrumental in the establishment of
Agudat Yisrael, and served as its vice president until his death. During
World War I he moved to
Warsaw, leading his followers from there. The Rebbe re-instituted the famous
shiurim on the
Talmud, based on chassidic approaches, which were popular during the times of the
Mei HaShiloach. Many of these shiurim were later printed in his
sefer,
Tiferes Yosef. The
Tiferes Yosef died on 26
Shevat 5689 (1929), and was buried in Warsaw.
Fifth generation After the death of the
Tiferes Yosef, his followers appointed his only son, Rabbi
Shmuel Shlomo Leiner, as Radzyner Rebbe. At first, the Rebbe refused to take over his father's position. Only due to the enormous pressure put on him by the thousands of Radziner Chassidim, did he finally consent. The final push was the pressure put on him by his great-uncle, Rav Mottel Leiner, son of the Beis Yaakov, and Rav Michel Rashes of
Brisk, one of the most prominent Radziner Chassidim. The Rebbe led his followers with a very sharp and extreme leadership, similar to that of his grandfather, the Orchos Chaim. This caused many chassidim to have to leave Radzin. The Rebbe went as far as to close various
shteiblach, which he believed were not appropriate of being called Radziner Shtieblech. His greatest strength of character was brought to light during the years of
The Holocaust. The Rebbe was known for encouraging resistance to the orders of the
Nazis and the
Judenrat, and for urging people to break out of the
ghettos, flee to the forests and take up arms. The Nazis searched for him intensively, and he was eventually shot to death on 29
Iyar 5702 (1942). He was buried in
Wladawa.
Radzin post-Holocaust After the Holocaust, the surviving Izhbitzer-Radziner Chassidim crowned Rabbi
Avrohom Yissochor Englard (1905–2005), son-in-law of the
Tiferes Yosef, as Radziner Rebbe. The Rebbe was also the great-grandson of the second
Radomsker Rebbe, Rabbi
Avraham Yissachar Dov Rabinowicz, author of the ''Chessed Le'avrohom''. In pre-war Radzin, he was appointed by his brother-in-law, Rabbi Shmuel Shlomo of Radzin, to head the network of Radziner Yeshivos Sod Yesharim. According to the elder chassidim, Rav Shmuel Shlomo crowned him during the Holocaust, before his death, to lead in his place. Under his leadership, the Izhbitzer-Radziner Dynasty rebuilt itself, with the Center of Radziner Institutions being established in
Bnei Brak. The Rebbe also established Radziner
Shtieblech in many cities where Radziner Hassidim were concentrated. This includes
Jerusalem,
Haifa,
Netanya,
Tel Aviv,
Bnei Brak,
Holon and
Petah Tikva. The Rebbe also re-established the Radziner Yeshiva Sod Yesharim in Jerusalem. In Bnei Brak he established the Radziner Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo, and the Radziner Yeshiva Tiferes Yosef, with many
Kollelim located in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Haifa. An important achievement of Avrohom Yissachar was the re-institution of the dyeing of the
techeiles. Much effort was put in by him to re-establish the exact procedure as was done in prewar Radzin. Due to his countless efforts, the establishment of the "Center for the Dyeing of the Techeiles" was completed in Bnei Brak. The Rebbe appointed his son, Rabbi Yitzchok Englard, to head this institution. Avraham Yissachar led his followers with a calm and loving leadership, similar to that of his father-in-law, the Tiferes Yosef. He died 20
Tishrei 5766 (2005), and was buried in the Rabbinical section (Chelkas HoRabbanim) of
Har HaMenuchos, Jerusalem.
Radzin today After the death of Rabbi Avrohom Yissochor of Radzin, his followers crowned his son, Rabbi
Shlomo Yosef Englard, as Radziner Rebbe. He currently resides in Bnei Brak, leading the Radziner Chassidim from the Central Radziner Institution. The Radziner Shtieblech continue to thrive in various cities. In
Yerushalayim, the eldest grandson of Rav Avrohom Yissochor, Rabbi
Nosson Nochum Englard, was appointed as Radziner Rav, leading the Radziner Shtiebel and community there. Tisch 5769 (2008) == Additional Branch of Radzin ==