Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk

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Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (1730 – 1788) was an early leader of Hasidic Judaism. Part of the third generation of Hasidic leaders, he was the primary disciple of Dovber of Mezeritch. From his base in Minsk Menachem Mendel was instrumental in spreading Hasidism throughout White Russia. In the winter of 1772 he, along with Shneur Zalman of Liadi went to the Vilna Gaon, trying to get him to rescind his ban on Hasidism, but the Vilna Gaon would not receive them. Upon Dovber's death, Menachem Mendel, along with fellow disciple Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk ("Kalisker") settled in Horodok. In 1777 the two, along with 300 followers emigrated, to the Land of Israel, settling in Safed. In 1783 they were forced out of Safed, and moved to Tiberias.