LELOV

LELOV (Lelow ), ?asidic dynasty in Poland and Ere? Israel. Its founder, david ben solomon of lelov (1746–1813), studied Lurianic Kabbalah in his youth and behaved in the manner of the "great ?asidim." He became attracted to ?asidism as a result of his contact with *Elimelech of Lyzhansk, and studied under several ?asidic rabbis, including *Moses Leib of Sasov, becoming the outstanding disciple of *Jacob Isaac Horowitz, ha-?ozeh ("The Seer") of Lublin. He earned his living as a grocer. David's teachings stressed love of the Jewish people (ahavat Yisrael) and of man in general; he said: "I am not worthy as yet to be called a ?addik since I still feel more love for my own children than for other people." He was much appreciated by the prominent ?asidic leaders of his day. David was both a friend and a relative of Jacob Isaac of *Przysucha, the "Holy Jew." When a controversy broke out between the latter and Jacob Isaac of Lublin, David attempted to reconcile the two sides. The physician, Bernard of Piotrkow, the famous penitent (ba'al teshuvah), was his outstanding disciple. David's son, moses (1778–1850), became the son-in-law of Jacob Isaac of Przysucha, and served as rabbi in several communities. Toward the end of his life he settled in Ere? Israel. Since then part of the Lelow dynasty has been connected with Ere? Israel, although they did not formally serve as admorim. Moses' grandson, david joseph of lelov (1827–1907), was a disciple of Menahem Mendel of *Warka (Worki). From 1877 he led a ?asidic community. The dynasty is still continued through its branch in Ere? Israel.

bibliography:

M. Brakman, Migdal David (1930); L. Grossmann, Shem u-She'erit (1943), 56; M. Buber, Tales of the ?asidim: Later Masters (1961), 185–8; M.Y. Weinstock, Peri Kodesh Hillulim (1961).

[Adin Steinsaltz]