Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (1st)

Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, (1865 - 1948, Jerusalem, E. Israel) also known as the "Maharitz", was the first Rebbe of Dushinsky and Chief Rabbi ("Govad") of the Edah HaChareidis of Jerusalem.

He was a disciple of the author of "Shevet Sofer", one of the grandchildren of the Chassam Sofer.

After his marriage to the daughter of Rabbi Mordechai Winkler, author of "Levushei Mordechai", Rabbi Dushinsky became the Chief Rabbi in Galanta, Slovakia. In an epidemic during the First World War his first wife died childless and he subsequently remarried Esther Neuhaus, daughter of Rabbi Yoel Tzvi Neuhaus. He relocated to the town of Chust, where he assumed the position of Chief Rabbi. In 1921, a son, Yisroel Moshe was born.

In 1930, the Dushinsky family moved to the British Mandate of Palestine, settling in Jerusalem. Shortly after in 1932 came the death of the Chief Rabbi and founder of the Edah HaChareidis, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. Rabbi Dushinsky was appointed as his successor. He founded a community of Hungarian Jews in Jerusalem, affiliated with the Perushim section of the Edah HaChareidis. This community gradually developed into a Hasidic dynasty, which is today headed by his grandson, who was named after him.

Rabbi Dushinsky was known for his strong opposition to Zionism, and spoke to the newly-formed United Nations against the creation of the Zionist State.

Rabbi Dushinsky died on the the eve of Sukkos, 14th of Tishrei 1948, shortly after the founding of the State of Israel. He was succeeded by Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis as Chief Rabbi of the Edah HaChareidis, and by his son, Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Dushinsky, as leader of his Dushinsky, which would under Rabbi Yisroel Moshe's leadership turn into one of the newest Hasidic dynasties.

Publications

His Torah commentaries have been published in the "Toras Maharitz" series.

External links

* [http://www.jewsagainstzionism.com/rabbi_quotes/dushinsky.cfm Chief Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky - writings against Zionism]