20 Kislev · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush Heller of Zbarazh
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush Heller of Zbarazh (1742–1794) was the author of several chassidic sefarim, including the holy book "Yosher Divrei Emet."
Yahrzeit - 20 Kislev
Place of burial - Zbarazh, Ukraine
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush was born into a family of rabbis. His father, Rabbi Aharon Moshe of Sniatyn, was a direct descendant, five generations removed, of Rabbi Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller (author of Tosafot Yom Tov). His mother was a descendant of Rabbi Yehuda ben Shmuel of Regensburg. Rabbi Meshulam Feivush was also a descendant of Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropol and Rabbi Shlomo Luria.
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush spent most of his life in Zbarazh. He did not hold any official position. He was primarily a disciple of the Maggid of Zolochiv, though he also visited the Maggid of Mezeritch and Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Peremyshlyany, whom he quotes in his book "Yosher Divrei Emet."
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush was married twice. He had one son from his first wife and two sons from his second wife. His sons were Rabbi Moshe Aharon, Rabbi Baruch Yitzchak, and Rabbi Shimshon of Ozharan. He was a close friend of Rabbi Chaim Tirer, who quotes him in his works. He passed away in Zbarazh on December 12, 1794, and is buried in Zbarazh.
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush is best known for his classic chassidic work "Yosher Divrei Emet." It consists of two booklets, the first written in 1777, and the second, Kuntres Derech Emet, written after 1781.
Some of his drashot were also published in the sefer Likutim Yekarim.
A Rebbe and chassidic leader, Rabbi Meshulam Feivush was also known for his mastery of Shas and the Poskim.
Rabbi Meshulam Feivush had many disciples. Some of the most well-known include Rabbi Dovid Shlomo Eibeschutz, author of Arvei Nachal; Rabbi Yosef Dovid HaKohen; Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kossov-Vizhnitz; and Rabbi Chaim of Chernovitz, author of Be'er Mayim Chaim.
After Rabbi Meshulam Feivush's passing, most of his followers turned to the court of his close disciple Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kossov, founder of the Vizhnitz dynasty.
The Gaon Yanuka, Rabbi Shalom Yehuda Be'eri, spoke of the greatness of the holy book "Yosher Divrei Emet" by the holy Rabbi Meshulam Feivush Heller of Zbarazh. He noted that anyone who wishes to walk the proper path of serving Ha-Shem should set aside time to study this book regularly. The Gaon Yanuka mentioned that he himself used to complete the book on a weekly basis.