Abraham Kalisker

Rabbi Abraham Ben Alexander Ha-Kohen of Kalisk (1741–1810) was a prominent Chassidic Rebbe of the 3rd generation of Chassidic leaders. He was a disciple of Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch who was the successor of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov.

Biography

In his youth, Rabbi Abraham was a study partner of Rabbi Elijah, the Vilna Gaon, who became the leader of the opposition against Chassidic Judaism- the Misnagdim.

Rabbi Abraham and his Chassidim were prominent among the Chassidic movement with their emotional approach towards the service of G-d and their opposition against the intellectual elitism of the establishment's scholars (Misnagdim). After the death of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch, most of the opposition against the Chassidism was directed against Rabbi Abraham and his disciples.

In 1777, Rabbi Abraham joined the first Chassidic aliyah under the leadership of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and emigrated to the Holy Land. He died in Tiberias on the 4th of Shevat of the year 5570 from creation (1810 CE).

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