Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn - Biography

Israel Ruzhin, also called Israel Friedmann, Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn (1797-1850) was a Hasidic rebbe (rabbi). Known as der heyliker rizhiner , "the holy one from Ruzhin", he was the progenitor of several Hasidic dynasties known collectively by the name Ruzhin.

As the son of Rebbe Sholom Shachne of Prhobisht, who was the son of Rabbi Avraham HaMalach, Rabbi Yisroel Friedman was a direct descendant of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritsh who was the main disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.

Only 6 years old when his father died, he was brought up by his older brother Rebbe Avrohom of Prhobisht. He showed outstanding qualities from childhood and at the age of 7 was engaged to Sarah, daughter of Rabbi Moshe of Berdychiv. At 13 Yisroel married and settled in Botoşani, Moldavia. Three years later his brother Rebbe Avrohom died and young Yisroel succeeded him as leader of the chasidim. After first moving back to Prhobisht and then Skvyra, he finally settled in Ruzhyn, where he achieved the reputation of a great holy man and attracted thousands of followers.

Rabbi Yisroel of Ruzhin conducted his court regally, claiming descent from the Royal line of King David. He lived a life of apparent great luxury and surrounded himself with splendor, such as his carriage with silver handles drawn by four horses.

In 1838 he was accused of complicity in the death of two Jews suspected of being informers and was imprisoned for two years by the Russian authorities.

After his release he moved to Kishinev, then to Iaşi and other places before finally settling in Sadigora, Bukovina (Carpathian Mountains) in 1842. There he re-established his court in all its glory. In 1847, his wife Sarah died, and he remarried to Malka, the widow of Rabbi Hersh of Rimanov. On the 3rd of Cheshvan 1850 the Rebbe of Ruzhin departed this world and was buried in Sadigora.

His six sons all established Hasidic dynasties, which include Sadigura, Boyan, Chortkov, Husyatin and Bohush.

His progeny

External links

• RUZHIN, ISRAEL (Friedmann) in the Encyclopaedia Judaica
• Israel Ruzhin (Friedmann)
• The Golden Dynasty By Rabbi Yisroel Friedman
• Biography of Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn (in Hebrew)

See also

• Ruzhin (Hasidic dynasty)