Lelov

Lelov is the name of a Hasidic dynasty which traces its origins to Rabbi Dovid Biderman (1746-1814) of Lelów, Poland.

The Lelover dynasty migrated from Poland to Jerusalem when Rabbi Dovid's son, Rabbi Moshe Biderman (1776-1851), moved there in the last year of his life. Rabbi Moshe Biderman of Lelov was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz, known as the Holy Jew of Prshischa. Today there are several Lelover Rebbes, in Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, and New York City.

Rabbi Dovid of Lelov was a disciple of the Seer of Lublin, a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, who was a disciple of the Magid of Mezritsh, the successor to and leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism.

There is a Hasidic legend that Napoleon Bonaparte asked Rabbi Dovid of Lelov if he would be successful in his conquest of Russia. The rebbe told the Emperor that he would not. After Napoleon's defeat, he allegedly passed through Lelov and told the Rebbe that he was indeed correct. He then gave the Rebbe his velvet cloak. The Hasidim say that Rabbi Moshe of Lelov, the son of Rabbi Dovid, took the cloak to Jerusalem with him, and made the cover for the Holy Ark in his synagogue from it.

The early Lelover Rebbes (starting with Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Shlomo) were followers of the Karliner Rebbe; whenever the latter came to Land of Israel, the Lelover Rebbe would go to visit him.

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