Gershon Henoch Leiner
Encyclopedia
Grand Rabbi Gershon Chanoch Henech Leiner of Radzin, son of Beis Yaakov, author of Orchos Chayim, Sod Y'sharim, Tiferes Hachanochi, and Dalsos Shaar Ha'ir, among many other seforim.
The Rebbe is referred to by Radziner Chasidim as the Orchos Chayim, based on his phenomenal work on the Tzava'ah - the will - of the Tana
Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol
. This work was written by the Rebbe basically without any open books to his advantage, in only 12 days, during his trial on a libel fabricated against him by his adversaries. When the Rebbe published this work, he commented to his chasidim that he's happy that he got to print his Tzava'ah.
In the larger world the Rebbe is better known as the Ba'al HaTecheiles.
The Rebbe was brilliant in both the revealed and the hidden Torah. He was also extremely knowledgeable in several scientific fields, like chemistry
, engineering
and medicine
. He spoke several language
s fluently, and used them frequently while prescribing medicines in Latin
to the countless people who turned to him for help.
At the age of sixteen, the Rebbe had already formulated a spectacular idea: he would compose a "gemara" of a sort on the mishnayos
of Seder Taharos
, as there is no Talmud Bavli
on those tractates. In order to accomplish this, he gathered all the relevant material from the whole Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, and all other Braysos
etc., and presented them in chronological order in a sefer he called Sidrei Taharos on Maseches Keilim
. He later did the same with all the other tractates of Seder Taharos. However, only his works on Keilim and Oholot
were published. (The other tractates were lost during The Holocaust
). The task took him ten years to complete.
He worked tirelessly for the restoration of the techeiles
of the tzitzis
. He made use of his vast knowledge to research the topic, and traveled to Italy
four times to conduct his study. While there he visited what was then the largest aquarium
in the world, in the coastal city of Naples
, and upon studying the different sea creatures, he came to the conclusion that the original Techeiles was extracted from the secretion of the Sepia officinalis (a type of squid
known as the common cuttlefish
; in Hebrew known as the Dionon). Legend has it that on one of the Rebbe's visits to Rome
; he succeeded in persuading the Vatican
to allow him a quick glimpse of the Holy Vessels of the Beis HaMikdosh
, to match his findings with the techeiles on the priestly garments. He published several books on the topic, such as S'funei T'munei Chol, P'sil T'cheles
, and Ein HaT'cheles, and succeeded in influencing many Gedolim
with his work. At the same time, there were Gedolim who opposed to the Rebbe's opinion and did not agree with his findings. There was, however, a small number of Gedolei Yisrael who would practice the rediscovered mitzvah
of techeiles, like Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Schwadron
(known as the Maharsham of Berzan
) who possessed a tallis
with techeiles fringes. All the Rebbe's chassidim
and followers wore them, as do many Breslov
chassidim to this day.
He was the first rebbe known as "The Radziner Rebbe". Died 4 Teves 5651 (1890). Buried in Radzin.
The Rebbe is referred to by Radziner Chasidim as the Orchos Chayim, based on his phenomenal work on the Tzava'ah - the will - of the Tana
Tannaim
The Tannaim were the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 130 years...
Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol
Eliezer ben Hurcanus
Eliezer ben Hurcanus or Eliezer ben Hyrcanus , a Kohen, was one of the most prominent tannaim of the 1st and 2nd centuries, disciple of R. Johanan ben Zakkai and colleague of Gamaliel II, whose sister he married , and of Joshua ben Hananiah...
. This work was written by the Rebbe basically without any open books to his advantage, in only 12 days, during his trial on a libel fabricated against him by his adversaries. When the Rebbe published this work, he commented to his chasidim that he's happy that he got to print his Tzava'ah.
In the larger world the Rebbe is better known as the Ba'al HaTecheiles.
The Rebbe was brilliant in both the revealed and the hidden Torah. He was also extremely knowledgeable in several scientific fields, like chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
and medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. He spoke several language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
s fluently, and used them frequently while prescribing medicines in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
to the countless people who turned to him for help.
At the age of sixteen, the Rebbe had already formulated a spectacular idea: he would compose a "gemara" of a sort on the mishnayos
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
of Seder Taharos
Tohorot
Tohorot is the sixth order of the Mishnah . This order deals with the clean/unclean distinction and family purity. This is the longest of the orders in the Mishnah. There are 12 tractates:...
, as there is no Talmud Bavli
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
on those tractates. In order to accomplish this, he gathered all the relevant material from the whole Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, and all other Braysos
Baraita
Baraita designates a tradition in the Jewish oral law not incorporated in the Mishnah. "Baraita" thus refers to teachings "outside" of the six orders of the Mishnah...
etc., and presented them in chronological order in a sefer he called Sidrei Taharos on Maseches Keilim
Keilim
Keilim is the first tractate in the Order of Tohorot in the Mishnah. It contains thirty chapters, making it the longest tractate in the entire Mishnah. The Tosefta on Keilim consists of twenty-five chapters, divided into Bava Kama , Bava Metzia , and Bava Batra of Keilim...
. He later did the same with all the other tractates of Seder Taharos. However, only his works on Keilim and Oholot
Oholot
Oholot is the second tractate of the Order of Tohorot in the Mishnah. It consists of eighteen chapters, which discuss the ritual impurity of corpses, and the peculiar quality they have to make all objects in the same tent-like structure impure as well...
were published. (The other tractates were lost during The Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
). The task took him ten years to complete.
He worked tirelessly for the restoration of the techeiles
Tekhelet
Tekhelet, , Tekheleth, Techelet or Techeiles is a blue dye mentioned 50 times in the Hebrew Bible and translated by the Septuagint as hyakinthinos . Its uses include the clothing of the High Priest, the tapestries in the Tabernacle, and the tassels to be affixed to the corners of one's garments...
of the tzitzis
Tzitzit
The Hebrew noun tzitzit is the name for specially knotted ritual fringes worn by observant Jews. Tzitzit are attached to the four corners of the tallit and tallit katan.-Etymology:The word may derive from the semitic root N-TZ-H...
. He made use of his vast knowledge to research the topic, and traveled to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
four times to conduct his study. While there he visited what was then the largest aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
in the world, in the coastal city of Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, and upon studying the different sea creatures, he came to the conclusion that the original Techeiles was extracted from the secretion of the Sepia officinalis (a type of squid
Squid
Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles...
known as the common cuttlefish
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are marine animals of the order Sepiida. They belong to the class Cephalopoda . Despite their name, cuttlefish are not fish but molluscs....
; in Hebrew known as the Dionon). Legend has it that on one of the Rebbe's visits to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
; he succeeded in persuading the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
to allow him a quick glimpse of the Holy Vessels of the Beis HaMikdosh
Temple in Jerusalem
The Temple in Jerusalem or Holy Temple , refers to one of a series of structures which were historically located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, the current site of the Dome of the Rock. Historically, these successive temples stood at this location and functioned as the centre of...
, to match his findings with the techeiles on the priestly garments. He published several books on the topic, such as S'funei T'munei Chol, P'sil T'cheles
Tekhelet
Tekhelet, , Tekheleth, Techelet or Techeiles is a blue dye mentioned 50 times in the Hebrew Bible and translated by the Septuagint as hyakinthinos . Its uses include the clothing of the High Priest, the tapestries in the Tabernacle, and the tassels to be affixed to the corners of one's garments...
, and Ein HaT'cheles, and succeeded in influencing many Gedolim
Gadol
Gadol or godol גדול , is a Hebrew term used mostly by Haredi Litvish Jews to refer to the most revered rabbis of their generation. These rabbis are usually held in high esteem by other Haredi or Orthodox Jews, though not necessarily to the same degree as by Litvish Jews...
with his work. At the same time, there were Gedolim who opposed to the Rebbe's opinion and did not agree with his findings. There was, however, a small number of Gedolei Yisrael who would practice the rediscovered mitzvah
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
of techeiles, like Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Schwadron
Sholom Mordechai Schwadron
Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Schwadron was known by his acronym Maharsham. He was a foremost halachic authority and his main works "Shailos Uteshuvos Maharsham" and "Daas Torah" are widely studied sources of practical Jewish law.He also authored Techeiles Mordechai, a three-volume commentary of the...
(known as the Maharsham of Berzan
Berezhany
Berezhany is a city located in the Ternopil Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Berezhanskyi Raion , and rests about 100 km from Lviv and 50 km from the oblast capital, Ternopil. The city has a population of about 20,000, and is about 400 m above sea level...
) who possessed a tallis
Tallit
A tallit pl. tallitot is a Jewish prayer shawl. The tallit is worn over the outer clothes during the morning prayers on weekdays, Shabbat and holidays...
with techeiles fringes. All the Rebbe's chassidim
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...
and followers wore them, as do many Breslov
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...
chassidim to this day.
He was the first rebbe known as "The Radziner Rebbe". Died 4 Teves 5651 (1890). Buried in Radzin.