Zeide Reb Motele: The Life of the Tzaddik Reb Mordechai Dov of Hornosteipel

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Summary: Insightful glimpse into the life of a great tzaddik
Review: In the first work of its kind, we are now treated to a biography of the great 20th century chassidic master, Rabbi Mordechai Dov of Hornosteipel, known affectionately by his descendants as the Zeide Reb Motele. Authored by R'Mordechai Dov's great-grandson, the book's first nine chapters are devoted to briefly discussing the spiritual and ancestral forebears of the tzaddik, such as R'Zusia of Anipoli, the Baal Shem Tov, Czernoble, Cherkassy, Chabad, Karlin, and Sanz. The rationale for doing so is explained by the author as such, "Whatever one may think of yichus, we should understand that not only does a person's immediate family impact upon his character, but so does one's remote family. We absorb values and philosophies of life from our ancestors. A comprehensive portrait of Zeide R'Motele, therefore, requires knowing something about his yichus." The author then proceeds to discuss the youth, influence, and life of his beloved great-grandfather, a man whose Torah wisdom and love for his fellow Jews knew no bounds. Chapter 16 presents brief selections and translations from the works of Zeide R'Motele's forebears while chapter 17 deals with the Torah discourses of Zeide R'Motele himself. The remaining two chapters discuss his passing and the life and passing of his son, Zeide R'Leibele, the author's grandfather. Finally, there are seven charts tracing the author's genealogy to the Baal Shem Tov and other chassidic leaders. It is fitting to conclude this review with the conclusion of the author in Chapter 1: "...they [Moses and authors of the Talmud] were so distant, so long ago, that I cannot reach out to them for all the strength that I need. But Zeide R'Motele? He is so close through all who knew him personally. I can reach out to him, and he provides all the reassurance I need. I hope he can do the same for you."