Rabbi Moshe of Dolina

Born: Brody, 1729

Died: Dolina, 1819

Rabbi Moshe of Dolina was a student of the Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760). 

Rabbi Moshe wrote Divrei Moshe a commentary on the Torah, based on the teachings he received from the Baal Shem Tov, his in-law Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and Kitvei HaAri (writings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) . 

His proficiency in the study of Kabbalah is evident from his book Saraf Pri Etz Chaim,on Kitvei HaAri and Pri Etz Chaim in particular.

With the support and effort of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk, Rabbi Moshe became the head of the Jewish court in Dolina.

Rabbi Chaim of Tzanz (1793-1876) praised him as "The greatest sage of the generation, a great man of God."

Rabbi Moshe left behind three sons who became Torah giants and a daughter who married Rabbi Yitzchak of Radvil son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov.   

Mundane Speech

We are taught, “The mundane speech of scholars requires study”. Rabbi Moshe of Dolina said, “I heard the following explanation from the holy lips of the Baal Shem Tov, The main perfection of the righteous is that their attachment to God does not cease, even for an instant. The same is true of all their speech. Even when they must speak to people about worldly things, they seek to do it in a way so that their attachment to God is not broken off… Since such a person remains attached to God even in his mundane speech, even such words require study. 

May the merit of the tzaddik  Rabbi Moshe of Dolina  protect us all, Amen.