Hillel Paritcher


Hillel HaLevi Malisov of Paritch, a levite by birth, commonly known as Reb Hillel Paritcher was a famous Orthodox Jewish Chabad Rabbi in Russia. Specifically, he served as a Mashpia and communal rabbi in the towns of Paritch, near Minsk, Russia, and Bobroisk, Belarus. He was considered exceptional in his scholarship and piety, and is referred to as a Tzadik, and even as a "half Rebbe."
He was born in Khmilnyk, Ukraine, but grew up in Chemtz. Although he was originally a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, he became a disciple of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi after learning in a “hidden” Tanya without the title page. In 1815 he began to travel regularly to Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch and, after the latter’s passing, became a disciple of Rabbi Dovber's successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel.

Activities

in the Kherson Governorate area had been initiated and encouraged by Rabbi Dovber. In 1818 Rabbi Dovber instructed Rabbi Hillel to visit these colonies regularly, saying, "Harvest material and sow spiritual." He provided conscripted soldiers in Bobroisk with kosher food, and aided Jews imprisoned there. Rabbi Hillel's appointment was emphatically confirmed by Rabbi Menachem Mendel. He died in Kherson on Shabbos, 11 Av, 5624.

Scholarship and piety

Hillel was born with exceptional gifts, and he strove diligently in Torah study. At thirteen he had mastered the Talmud, and at fifteen, the Kabbalistic works of the Arizal. The latter accomplishment was a wonder even then. In addition, he trained himself in self-discipline to the point that his body was mobilised to act only as the Torah prescribes, and even to conform with Kabbalah. Rabbi Hillel's way was to study Chasidic texts for many hours and then pray and meditate for many hours.

Aphorisms

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