Sholom Rokeach

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Rabbi Sholom Rokeach, (1779 - September 10, 1855), also known as the Sar Sholom (in Hebrew meaning minister of peace), was the first Belzer Rebbe.

His father was Rabbi Elazar, a member of the Brody Kloise sages. His grandfather was Rabbi Elazar Rabbi of Brody until 1736, then Rabbi of Amsterdam. Rabbi Sar Sholom grew up as an orphan, in his uncle's home in the polish town of Skohl. This uncle, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Ramraz, his mother's brother, was the head of the Jewish law courts in that town. The uncle raised him, taught him Jewish tradition, and married his daughter Malka to him.

In the town of Skohl he was influenced by Rabbi Shlomo (Flam) the Rebbe of Skohl (also known as Reb Shlomo Lutzker). Rabbi Shlomo was the personal writer and second hand of Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, the successor to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidus. Since his uncle (and father in law) was opposed to Hasidus, Rabbi Sholom would secretly be let down the window by his wife, to learn at Rabbi Shlomo Lutzker's Beis Midrash during the nights.

He composed several songs - most still sung by the Belzer Chasidim, including one tune, to "Tzur Mishaelo", sung during the Shaleshudes third ritual meal on the Sabbath, which is still popular today.

Many of his speeches, teachings, writings and ideas, have been saved in an onthology named Dover Shalom, a pun on the name of his Rabbi's book "Dvorath Shlomo" and on his Rabbi's Rabbi - Dov Ber of Mezeritch.

He reigned as rebbe from 1817 till 1855. He was a disciple of the Seer of Lublin.