Rabbi Yisrael Dov Odesser

Rabbi Israel Odesser was born in Tiberias to a family of Karlin Hasidim. He tells that as a child, he discovered the book Hishtapchut HaNefesh (Outpouring of the Soul) without a cover and had no idea who the author was. He became deeply enthusiastic about it, studied it regularly, and began to implement its teachings—especially the practice of hitbodedut (personal secluded prayer).

 

After his Bar Mitzvah, he enrolled in the “Or Torah” yeshiva near the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess, at the outskirts of Tiberias, and continued studying the book. One day, a Hasid saw him learning from it and told him that the book was one of the works of Breslov Hasidut, which at the time were banned. After an argument, the Hasid took the book from him. This event led Rabbi Yisroel to seek a deeper connection with Breslov Hasidut.

 

At the age of 17, he met Rabbi Yisroel Halperin ("Karduner"), a Breslov Hasid from Safed who had come to Tiberias, and he became his spiritual guide. It was during this period that Rabbi Yisroel Dov Odesser discovered the Petek HaGeulah (“Letter of Redemption”) after a public fast on the 17th of Tammuz, which he did not observe properly—being accustomed to fasting due to his extreme poverty, he had forgotten about the public fast, felt weak, and ate. No one knew about it, and this became the sign of the letter—that Heaven knew he had eaten, and still he merited to receive a letter of encouragement from Rebbe Nachman, from the World Above.

 

The letter remained hidden, and he revealed it only at the age of 94, declaring that the time had come to unveil it, and that its purpose and essence were to strengthen the entire people of Israel.

 

Rabbi Yisroel became a devoted Breslov Hasid and lived in the home of Rabbi Yisroel Karduner, who also helped him get married. He lived near Rabbi Mordechai Chaim of Slonim, a leader of the Slonim Hasidut, who welcomed him and helped him obtain a home—despite the general opposition of the Slonim community toward Breslov Hasidut.

 

Later, Rabbi Yisroel Odesser moved to Jerusalem to learn from the elders of Breslov, and after some time, he returned again to Tiberias. Over the years, a circle of disciples gathered around him and studied under his guidance.

 

Rabbi Yisroel Odesser corresponded with Zalman Shazar, President of Israel, and 32 of his letters to him were later compiled in the book Avi HaNachal.

 

Today, he is buried on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.

 

After his passing, his disciples established a publishing house called Keren Rabbi Yisroel Dov Odesser, named in his honor, which prints and distributes his writings along with other Breslov texts. In 1999 (5759), some of his followers established the settlement Avi HaNachal in his name, located in the eastern Gush Etzion area, on the edge of the Judean Desert.