Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev , also known as the holy Berdichever, and the Kedushas Levi, was a Hasidic master and Jewish leader. He was the rabbi of Ryczywół, Żelechów, Pinsk and Berdychiv, for which he is best known. He was one of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, and of his disciple Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, whom he succeeded as rabbi of Ryczywół. Levi Yitzchok was known as the "defense attorney" for the Jewish people, because he would intercede on their behalf before God. Known for his compassion for every Jew, he was one of the most beloved leaders of Eastern European Jewry. He is considered by some to be the founder of Hasidism in central Poland. And known for his fiery service of God. Today, there are several synagogues called Berditshev, of which the rabbis of some are called Berditshever Rebbes.
Life
Levi Yitzchak was born in the year 5500 to Rabbi Meir and Sarah-Sasha Ruskov in Husakov. Was known in his youth as the Illui from Yaroslav. Married to Perel, the daughter of Rabbi Israel Peretz of Levertov, and when she died she was over 100 years old. After his wedding, he went to the Maggid of Mezritsch where he studied for several years. Levi Yitzchok was known to have a very close relationship with Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov called him the Peér of Israel. Levi Yitzchok composed some popular Hasidic religious folk songs, including A Dude'le and "The Kaddish of Rebbe Levi Yitzchok." The Yiddish prayer "God of Abraham" recited by many Jewish people at the close of the Sabbath is attributed to him. He died on the 25th of Tishrei, 5570 and is buried in the old Jewish cemetery in Berdychiv, Ukraine, then under the control of the Russian Empire. He had three sons. The oldest one, Maier, died at a young age. The second one, Israel, succeeded his father as leader of the Hasidic movement. One of Levi Yitzchok's grandsons married the daughter of Dovber Schneuri, the second Chabad rebbe and the first to live in Lubavitch.
Works
He authored the Hasidic classic Kedushas Levi, which is a commentary on many Jewish religious books and laws, and is arranged according to the weekly Torah portion.
