Sholom Rokeach

Sholom Rokeach (1781 – September 10, 1855), was the first rebbe (hereditary hasidic leader) of the Belz dynasty.

Belzer Hasidim call him "Der Ershter Rov" (the first rabbi); in the city of Belz itself he was called "Der Alter Rov" (the old rabbi) in deference to Yoel Sirkis, who presided as rabbi of Belz in the sixteenth century.

Biography His mother was Rivka Henna Ramraz of Brody, who was the grandson of Rabbi Elazar Rokeach of Amsterdam, author of Maaseh Rokeach, who was the rabbi of Brody until 1736, and later, Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam.

In Skohl, Rokeach was influenced by Rabbi Shlomo Flam, also known as the Rebbe of Skohl, who was the private scribe and right-hand man of Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, the successor to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism. Since Rokeach’s uncle (and father-in-law) was opposed to Hasidism, Rokeach would secretly leave the house at night to meet a former business partner for hasidic study sessions.

He reigned as Rebbe from 1817 (when he became a Rabbi in Belz)

He built a four-story synagogue with a capacity of 5,000 in Belz, which was inaugurated in 1843.

Although it was uncommon in the early Hasidic movement for a son to succeed his father as rebbe (typically the rebbe or leader would be succeeded by a disciple), Rokeach wished to be succeeded by the youngest of his five sons, Yehoshua.

Successors Yehoshua Rokeach (1825–1894) Yissachar Dov Rokeach (1854–1926) Aharon Rokeach (1877–1957) Yissachar Dov Rokeach (b. 1948)

Disciples His notable disciples include Rabbis Shlomo Kluger, Chaim Halberstam, Zadok HaKohen, , and Yehoshua of Lezsno (Lechno).