אשר מסטולין

Rabbi Asher Perlow of Stolin (5520/1759 – 26 Tishrei 5587/1826), called der Groyser Rebbe Asher and Rabbi Asher HaZaken, was the third rebbe of Karlin after his father, Rabbi Aharon the Great of Karlin, and he started its Stolin branch. He was born in Karlin to Leah and Rabbi Aharon, and was orphaned of his father at twelve; he was raised by his father’s talmid and successor, Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin. When Rabbi Shlomo was niftar in Tammuz 5552 most of the chassidim turned to him. He served first in Karlin, his father’s city, and later, because the chassidim there were hindered from growing their peyot, established his court in Stolin.

After his rebbi’s passing he traveled a great deal with his companion Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitch to Rabbi Baruch of Mezhibuzh, and also to Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz, to the Ohev Yisrael of Apta and to the Maggid of Kozhnitz, who made the match between him and his wife Feiga; after that marriage he lived for a time in Kozhnitz and Zelechow. In 5559 an informer’s word led the Russian government to arrest him, along with Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitch and Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi; he was freed in Kislev of that year.

He urged his chassidim to settle in Eretz Yisrael and collected money to support them, keeping contact with Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk, one of the heads of the chassidic aliyah. He stood out particularly in the fervor of his tefillot; having a pleasant voice he often served as shaliach tzibbur, and the Maggid of Stepan said of him that when Mashiach comes with the seven shepherds Rabbi Asher of Stolin will be given the honor of davening before the amud. He led his community thirty-five years until he was niftar in Karlin, where he was buried. His son Rabbi Aharon filled his place as the fourth rebbe of the dynasty.

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