Biale Rebbe’s Will Names Successor, Pleads With Family To Prevent Dissension
ERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Biale Rebbe’s will was revealed for the first time to chasidim, before the shiva ends since his passing. The Rebbe named his third son Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Dov, son-in-law of the Kapitchnitz Rebbe (known as R. Yossl by the chasidim) as his successor in leading the Biale chasidim.
During the course of the last year, the Rebbe called on his chasidim to read his will in his presence. In excerpts from the will, The Rebbe wrote : “Regarding the matter of leadership, all of my dear sons are beloved and blessed by G-d and all are equal before me in their righteousness, but for leadership one needs special qualities to direct a community, and it is also hard work and not authority, as the gemara says in Horayos. I therefore appoint my son Rav Yitzchak Yosef Dov Shlita to lead the holy community, may it be for many years.
“I am sure that in the merit of my holy forefathers, that you will be blessed physically and spiritually in all matters for the good. I hope that my sons and grandsons won’t be upset that I am doing this, as it is for their good, since we need to appoint a leader for the community, one who is worthy and can bear the burden of leadership, and he is worthy in all ways for this.”
The Rebbe requested that his son not extend his prayers too long, “In order not to bother the Tzibbur (public), since in earlier times they would extend the prayers with concentration etc. but now it just causes bother to the Tzibbur and they look for other activities and begin chattering, thus losing the importance of the power of Tzibbur. It is my wish that the Tefillah should be proper and formal and people shouldn’t talk there.”
The Rebbe implored his children not to get involved in disputes, which occur after the death of Admorim and begged them not to disturb the leadership of his son , who he praised as “a G-d-fearer from his youth” and promised that “his prayers will assist you when required.” The Rebbe said that those who are not pleased with the choice should not stay and make disputes but should rather “go whereever they choose.”
The Rebbe also referred to his nephew Rav Simcha Bentzion, the author of Piskei Teshuvos, and asked him not to establish a rival Chasidic community, and added that “If I merit I will recommend you for success both physical and spiritual and you will have nachas from your children. You should know that you will have success as a rabbi and have no need to be a leader and those who wish him to lead just want dissension and fighting. Even though he wrote me a letter that he will not do this- where there are inciters it must be stressed.”
On Thursday the chasidim will gather in the Beis Midrash in Jerusalem to fulfill the Rebbe’s will and then will go to Har Hazeisim where he is buried.
