Aharon of Karlin (I)

Aharon ben Jacob Perlov of Karlin (Hebrew: הגדול אהרן בן יעקב פרלוב מקרלין 1736 – 1772), known among the Ḥasidim as Rabbi Aharon the Great, or simply as the "Preacher" or "Censor", was one of the early rabbis of the sect who helped the rapid spread of Ḥasidism in Eastern Europe, and was distinguished for the fiery eloquence of his exhortations. He died one year before his master, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, and was succeeded by his disciple, Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin. Rabbi Shlomo was in turn succeeded by Rabbi Aharon's son, Asher.

Perlov composed and wrote the famous Sabbath hymn Yah Ekhsof (יה_אכסוף) which is still a widely sung part of the liturgy of the Ḥasidim and has recently become popular among non-Hasidim as well. His ethical will and some collectables are printed in the work of his grandson, Aharon ben Asher of Karlin.^[1]

Perlov was born in Yanova to Yaakov of Kobrin, the brother of Rabbi Nachman of Kosov, and Perl.^[2] In his youth, he studied Talmud and halachic texts. Under the influence of his maternal uncle, Rabbi Manly of Karlin,^[3] he became close to Rabbi Dov Ber, the "Maggid of Mezeritch," who was the successor of the Baal Shem Tov, and became one of his prominent disciples. During his teacher's lifetime, he established the Hasidic center in the city of Karlin (now a suburb of Pinsk in Belarus). Together with Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Vitebsk, he spread the teachings of Hasidism throughout Lithuania. His influence was so profound that the opponents of Hasidism, who emerged at that time, used to call all Hasidim "Karliners."

One of the characteristics of his approach was the practice of praying with enthusiasm and fervor, even to the point of shouting aloud. This practice continues to this day in the Karlin Hasidic court. Rabbi Aharon, who had a musical talent, is the author of the well-known piyyut Yah Echsof. This piyyut is one of the few canonical Hasidic compositions that has been included in the Shabbat zemirot and is still sung today in many Hasidic courts in various melodies. According to Hasidic tradition, he composed the piyyut at the instruction of his teacher, the Maggid of Mezeritch.

Rabbi Aharon passed away at a young age, at only 36 years old. His gravestone in the Karlin cemetery reads:

He merited and brought merit to many, many times, and devoted his life with mesirut nefesh for this, as his purpose was to bring merit to the many, and he rebuked the masses with open rebuke and hidden love to bring Israel closer to their Father in Heaven and unite them with true unity.

His teachings were recorded by his disciples and primarily in the writings of his grandson, Rabbi Aharon of Karlin (the second), author of the book "Beit Aharon." Rabbi Aharon's place was filled by his student and colleague, Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin, who also took responsibility for raising and educating Rabbi Asher of Stolin (the first), the son of Rabbi Aharon and the third Rebbe of the dynasty. From Karlin Hasidism branched out the Hasidic dynasties of Ludmir, Lochowitz, Kobrin, Slonim, and Koidanov.

Rabbi Aharon and his wife Leah had four children:

• Their eldest son, Rabbi Yaakov,^[4] was the son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham of Karlin, and he emigrated with him to the Land of Israel, where he lived in Safed and Tiberias. His son-in-law was Shmuel Eliezer Rokach, son of Rabbi Meir of Lublin, who was the son-in-law of Rabbi David Lykes of Bar.
• Rabbi Asher – later the Rebbe of Stolin.
• Chaya Sarah, the wife of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl. She had four children with him: 1. Rabbi Aharon Twersky of Chernobyl (in his first marriage, he was the son-in-law of Rabbi Gedaliah of Linits. In his second marriage, he married Hannah Malka, daughter of Rabbi Zvi of Kroshchov). 2. Moshe Twersky of Koristchov (his first wife was Esther. In his second marriage, he was the son-in-law of Zvi Aryeh Landa of Lik. In his third marriage, his wife was Hannah, daughter of Yaakov Yosef of Ostroh). 3. Yaakov Yisrael of Charkas (his wife was Devorah Leah, daughter of the Rebbe Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch). 4. Malka (wife of Yechiel Michl of Drohobych).
• Rivka, the second wife of Shalom Shekena Altschuler. She had two daughters with him: 1. Devorah (wife of Rabbi Chaim Heikel, Av Beit Din of Hardonoy, son of Miriam and Moshe Ber of Stolin, son-in-law of the Rebbe Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin). 2. Esther Hadas (wife of Yehoshua Palik).

• Karlin (Pinsk)
• Karlin-Stolin (Hasidic dynasty)

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