Six Chassidic dynasties, going back to the Baal Shem Tov, converged in the
late 19th century Rebbe of Hornosteipel. This legacy, the foundation of his
development as a tzaddik, was expressed in numerous facets of his highly
refined personality as well as his spiritual achievements. Over a forty-year
period, Reb Mordechai Dov, known to his beloved contemporaries as Reb
Motele, earned a golden reputation as a person possessing soaring scholarly
abilities, a passionate love for every Jew and palpable sensitivity to any pain
or adversity confronting his Chassidim.
How fortunate for this generation that the RebbeÆs great-great-grandson,
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D., has dedicated his insightful literary
talents to the pleasant task of bringing this outstanding gadol hador to
the attention of todayÆs reading public. As a descendant of this renowned
dynasty, Rabbi Twerski has collected the treasures of his heritage and combined
them with family stories ù handed down through the generations ù of other famous
personages of that era. Photos from Dr. TwerskiÆs private collection ù even a
rare photo of Reb Motele himself ù are included in this absorbing anecdotal
biography.