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Aaron Ben Asher of Karlin | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | June 6, 1802 |
| Died | June 23, 1872 |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Children | Asher of Stolin (II) |
| Parent | Asher of Stolin (father) |
| Occupation | Rabbi |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Asher of Stolin |
| Successor | Asher of Stolin |
| Position | Leader of the Karlin Hasidic dynasty |
| Main work | Bet Aharon |
Aaron Ben Asher of Karlin (June 6, 1802 – June 23, 1872),[1] known asRabbi Aaron II of Karlin, was a famousrabbi of theḤasidim in northwesternRussia.[2]
The son of RabbiAsher of Stolin, thousands of followers used to visit him annually, about the time of theJewish New Year. It was the custom among that sect, and he was highly esteemed by his adherents. He "reigned" inKarlin, nearPinsk, in the government ofMinsk (currently inBelarus), in succession to his father and his grandfather,Aaron ben Jacob.[2]
A few years before his death, he quarreled with a family of Karlin and moved from there toStolin, a town several miles away. Considering the amount of business that the yearly influx of strangers brought to the city where he resided, his removal was regarded as a misfortune for Karlin. He died, aged seventy years and seventeen days, inMalinov (also spelled Mlinov and Mlynov), nearDubno, inVolhynia, while on a journey to the wedding of his granddaughter. He was succeeded by his son,Asher of Stolin. Myths developed in Mlynov about his death and abouta tree that grew into the shape of a menorah on the spot where he died. A memorial,referred to as a "tent" (ohel) was established in Mlynov where the local Jewish community kept an eternal light burning and which became a pilgrimage site for Karliners. Jewish children in Mlynovrecall the large pilgrimages to the shtetl on the yarhzeit of his death during which the miracles and wonders were recounted.
His son, Asher, died inDrohobycz about one year after the death of his father and was succeeded by his five-year-old son, the so-called Yenuḳa (Baby) of Stolin, against whose rabbinate (in the Ḥasidic sense) Schatzkes — or, according to others, Judah Lob Levin (called Yehallel ofKiev) — under the pseudonym "Ḥad min Ḥabraya" (One of the students), wrote a satire in "Ḥa-Shaḥar" (vi. 25-44).
Aaron is the author ofBet Aharon (Aaron's House;Brody, 1875),[3] which is an important hassidic work, and especially for Karliner hassidim. The work includes thoughts on the weekly Torah readings and letters to his hassidic followers. It also contains the writings of his grandfather, of his father, and of his son.[2]
Aaron's daughter, Miriam, married RabbiAvrohom Yaakov Friedman (1820–1883), the firstRebbe of theSadigura Hasidic dynasty.[4][5]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Paul Wendland (1901–1906)."Aaron ben Asher of Karlin (Rabbi Aaron II. of Karlin)". InSinger, Isidore; et al. (eds.).The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.| International | |
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