Moshe Zvi of Savran
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Moshe Zvi of Savran (1775-1838), the Savraner Rebbe, was an influential Hasidic Rebbe in Ukraine whose following numbered in the thousands.
His father, Rabbi Shimon Shlomo (I), was the Maggid of Savran and a disciple of Dovber of Mezeritch, the primary disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidic Judaism. After his father's death in 1802, Moshe Zvi took over his position as the Maggid of Savran. Moshe Zvi went on to become the Rabbi of Berditchev after the death of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, and later became the Rabbi of the towns of Uman and Keshinov as well.
From 1835-1838, the Savraner Rebbe was swayed by the slander of some of his Hasidim against the Breslover Hasidim and their leader, Nathan of Breslov (Reb Noson), who continued to guide the flock without taking on the title of Rebbe. (Since the death of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in 1810, no other Breslov leader has taken his title.) While the Hasidim were dismayed by the unusual behavior of the Breslovers—such as their loud prayer services complete with singing, hand-clapping and dancing—the Hasidic Rebbes of that time were jealous of the spiritual devotion of the Breslover Hasidim. Many Hasidim would approach their Rebbes for blessings for health, wealth and children, but the Breslover Hasidim turned to their leaders for advice about how to serve God.
When the Savraner heard how many people had come to Reb Noson one Shavuot, he was furious. "What does it matter to you?" someone asked. "You had 500 people for Shavuot." "I had 500 innkeepers for Shavuot," replied the Savraner, "but he had all God-fearing people!" (Kramer, pp. 368-369).
Influenced by a stream of slander fed to him from his Hasidim, Moshe Zvi published a ban against all Breslover Hasidim, excommunicating them from "the community of Israel." When Reb Noson wrote to him, urging him to seek peace, the Savraner Hasidim responded by dispatching a hired killer to murder Reb Noson. Reb Noson was forced to flee for his life, and Breslover Hasidim in Uman were subjected to verbal and physical abuse from the Savraner Rebbe's followers.
In October 1835, Moshe Zvi made plans to travel to Kamenetz, the capital of the region that included the town of Breslov, to appeal to the governor to put a stop to Reb Noson's activities. Muddy roads delayed his arrival for Shabbat, however, and he was re-routed to Litvenitz. There, community leaders pressed him to sign a death warrant for a known Jewish informer who had harmed many Jewish families. Though Moshe Zvi hesitated to get involved in this business, the community bribed him to sign the paper. The death sentence was carried out at the local bathhouse, where the attendant had stoked the large furnace to its highest temperature. To protect him from any possible backlash, the attendant demanded that the Savraner Rebbe be present when the informer was seized and thrown into the furnace, and the death sentence was thus carried out.
The authorities in Litvenitz soon found out that the Savraner Rebbe had been involved in the killing through the informer's family, and issued a warrant for his arrest. Moshe Zvi was forced to flee the Ukraine and landed in the town of Titchalinik. During his flight he developed a hernia, which aggravated an intestinal disease. He died of this disease on January 22, 1838. His death cooled his followers' ardor against the Breslover Hasidim, and Reb Noson was able to return to his activities without further harassment.
Moshe Zvi's Torah insights were collected and printed in the book, Likutey Shoshanim. His son, Shimon Shlomo (II), succeeded him as Savraner Rebbe.
[edit] Reference
- Kramer, Chaim. Through Fire and Water: The Life of Reb Noson of Breslov. Jerusalem/New York: Breslov Research Institute. ISBN 0-930213-44-0.
