Alter Tepliker
Encyclopedia
Alter Tepliker was the sobriquet
of Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Bezhilianski (d. 1919), a learned scholar and leading Breslover
Hasid
in Uman, Ukraine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
, he became active in the Breslover community in nearby Uman, where he married the sister of Abraham Chazan
. Chazan's father, Nachman Chazan
, was the closest disciple of Reb Noson
, who was in turn the closest disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
.
Breslover leaders of the following generation, such as Rabbis Shmuel Horowitz
and Yitzchok Gelbach, attributed their initial interest in Breslov teachings to their first exposure to Alter Tepliker's Hishtafchut HaNefesh.
He fell victim to a Cossack
pogrom
during the Ukrainian
struggle for independence in 1919. He was murdered in a synagogue
while holding a sefer Torah
.
His ten books include:
Sobriquet
A sobriquet is a nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another. It is usually a familiar name, distinct from a pseudonym assumed as a disguise, but a nickname which is familiar enough such that it can be used in place of a real name without the need of explanation...
of Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Bezhilianski (d. 1919), a learned scholar and leading Breslover
Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)
Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism...
Hasid
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
in Uman, Ukraine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Biography
Born in Teplik, UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, he became active in the Breslover community in nearby Uman, where he married the sister of Abraham Chazan
Abraham Chazan
Abraham Chazan was a rabbi and key figure in the transmission of Breslover Hasidut at the turn of the 20th century.-Biography:He was born in Tulchyn, Ukraine to Rabbi Nachman Chazan, the closest disciple of Nathan of Breslov , who in turn was the closest disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov...
. Chazan's father, Nachman Chazan
Nachman Chazan
Nachman Chazan was a seminal figure in the continuation and growth of Breslov Hasidism in the mid-nineteenth century. The Breslov movement was founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, who died in 1810. Rebbe Nachman's closest disciple, Nathan of Breslov , shaped and shepherded the movement until his...
, was the closest disciple of Reb Noson
Nathan of Breslov
Nathan of Breslov , also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe's death...
, who was in turn the closest disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov , also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover , Nachman from Uman , was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement....
.
Breslover leaders of the following generation, such as Rabbis Shmuel Horowitz
Shmuel Horowitz
- Biography :Horowitz was born in Minsk, then in the Russian Empire , and studied in Moscow. He was a close friend of the poet Saul Tchernichovsky, with whom he shared accommodation. In 1917, his sister was murdered by an antisemitic gang in Ukraine...
and Yitzchok Gelbach, attributed their initial interest in Breslov teachings to their first exposure to Alter Tepliker's Hishtafchut HaNefesh.
He fell victim to a Cossack
Cossack
Cossacks are a group of predominantly East Slavic people who originally were members of democratic, semi-military communities in what is today Ukraine and Southern Russia inhabiting sparsely populated areas and islands in the lower Dnieper and Don basins and who played an important role in the...
pogrom
Pogrom
A pogrom is a form of violent riot, a mob attack directed against a minority group, and characterized by killings and destruction of their homes and properties, businesses, and religious centres...
during the Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
struggle for independence in 1919. He was murdered in a synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
while holding a sefer Torah
Sefer Torah
A Sefer Torah of Torah” or “Torah scroll”) is a handwritten copy of the Torah or Pentateuch, the holiest book within Judaism. It must meet extremely strict standards of production. The Torah scroll is mainly used in the ritual of Torah reading during Jewish services...
.
Publications
Tepliker pioneered the publication of Breslover teachings on specific topics.His ten books include:
- Hishtafchut HaNefesh (Outpouring of the Soul) — on the topic of hitbodedutHitbodedutHitbodedut refers to an unstructured, spontaneous and individualized form of prayer and meditation taught by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov...
(meditation) - Meshivat Nefesh (Restore My Soul) — on the topic of inner strength
- Or Zorei'ach Haggadah (The Breslov Haggadah) — on the PassoverPassoverPassover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
Haggadah - A commentary on Pirkey Avot
- Mei HaNachal (Waters of the River) — a commentary on Rebbe Nachman's Likutey Moharan.