Nikolsburg is the name of an ancient city in the Czech Republic. One of the early leaders of the Chassidic movement, the saintly Torah giant Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz (1726-1778), spread his light from this city in the eighteenth century. He also served as the Chief Rabbi of Moravia. The Grand Rebbe of Nikolsburg, Rabbi Yosef Yechiel Mechel Lebovits, is a descendant of Rebbe Shmelke, and therefore his Chassidic community bears the name of the city where its founding father had lived. The current Nikolsburg community is an inspiration to behold. A mere several decades since its reestablishment on American soil, Nikolsburg is today a center of Torah, Divine service and acts of Chesed on a continuous basis. Its very name has become synonymous with the three pillars on which the community stands: Ahavas Hashem, Ahavas Torah and Ahavas Yisroel.
Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke ben Hirsh Halevi Horowitz of Nikolsburg (1726 Chortkiv, Galicia - 1778 Nikolsburg, Moravia) was one of the great early Chasidic Rebbes. He was the oldest son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Chortkiv. In their early years, Shmelke and his brother Pinchas - who also became a Gadol Hador known as the Baal Haflah from Frankfurt - studied Torah together for a long time. After traveling to Mezritch and meeting the great chasidic master Rabbi Dov Ber the Maggid, they became his ardent Chasiddim. After serving first as Rav in Ryczywohl and Shinove, Reb Shmelke was invited, in 1773, to become the rabbi of Nikolsburg and Chief Rabbi of Moravia, where he made a powerful impact. On the first day of his being Rabbi of Nikolsburg. The fact that he was a Chasid angered many members of the community, which led to the personal intervention of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk which quieted down the Hisnagdus. Reb Shmelke established a major yeshiva that attracted numerous outstanding Talmidim. Among these were such luminaries as Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak, the Seer of Lublin, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, Rabbi Yisrael of Koznitz, Rabbi Mordecai Benet who later became Chief Rabbi in Moravia, and Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov.
The Rebbe was raised in the loving home of his noble parents, Rabbi Baruch Yehuda and Yentel Lebovits, of blessed memory. His father, an exceptional personality in his own right, was instrumental in saving many Jews during the Holocaust, and he valiantly helped revive Jewish life after that terrible period of destruction. The Rebbe’s parents bestowed him with the legacy of their saintly ancestors, among them the holy Ba’al Shem Tov, Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, and Rabbi Zishe of Anipoli. After his father’s passing, his mother married the Skulener Rebbe ZT"L, and through this union the Rebbe was privileged to have a strong personal connection with this holy leader of Klal Yisroel. His grandfather, the famous Tchaba Rav of Israel, was known as a great tzaddik and miracle worker. People came to him with all sorts of difficult problems and with his holy powers he would evoke heavenly mercy on their behalf. The Rav would often invite his dear grandson, the Rebbe, to sit beside him as he prayed for a person in need of salvation. The Rebbe studied in the famous Satmar Yeshiva, under the tutelage of the revered Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum. The Rebbe was also among the select students to have regular private sessions with the Satmar Rebbe, spending time with this great sage every Wednesday. In addition, the Rebbe had a strong personal connection with a number of other tzaddikim, among them: The Rebbe of Kalev, who shared with him many Torah secrets; and the Rebbes of Shopron, Kasho, Skolia, Spinka, Kiviashd, and more. He absorbed everything these great people had to offer, and nowadays passes on their teachings and legacy to his followers. Even as a young man, people began flocking to the Rebbe for guidance and inspiration. His following began informally, as people from all walks of life clung to his every word. Eventually, the number of Chassidim grew, until it evolved into a community of Torah and Chassidus that has earned great stature in the Jewish world. At first, the Rebbe held court in Williamsburg, a Chassidic section in Brooklyn, New York. Later on the Nikolsburg headquarters was relocated to Monsey, in Rockland County, from where the great light of Ahavas Hashem, Ahavas Torah and Ahavas Yisroel is spread to the entire world.
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The lofty attribute of Loving Hashem is expressed in the devotion, attachment and joy that a Jew experiences when performing a mitzvah and fulfilling the Divine Will. At Nikolsburg, the air one breathes is full of the sublime emotion of Ahavas Hashem.
One of the reasons why thousands of Jews from every walk of life are drawn to the Nikolsburg community in general and the Rebbe personally, is the profound ahavas Yisroel that is evident in the Rebbe’s heartwarming smile and genuine concern to every fellow Jew, regardless of background or affiliation. The Rebbe takes a personal interest in the welfare of every person that crosses his threshold asking for his blessing, encouragement or advice. He goes out of his way to help every person in need in whatever way possible. His ahavas Yisroel is reflected in the conduct of his followers, who consider it a privilege to assist a fellow Jew at every opportunity.
Thousands of people flock to the Rebbe to discuss their personal problems and concerns. The Rebbe listens with his heart and gives his sage advice on all matters, including business dilemmas, shalom bayis (marital harmony) and medical issues. The visitors leave the Rebbe’s study feeling uplifted and reassured, and with a better understanding of their situation. Only a person who sincerely loves every Jew can bear to listen to so many problems and patiently guide so many thousands.
