Rabbi Avraham Brandwein Bio

Rav Avraham Brandwein, the Admor of Stretten, is a direct descendent of the famous first Admor of Stretten. His family tree includes almost all the great chassidic masters including the Maggid of Mezritsch, Elimelech of Lizhensk and Levy Yitschak of Berditshev. Born in Israel in 1945, Rav Brandwein is the seventh generation in his family to live in Israel. His family originally settled in Tsfat, the city of Kabbalists.

His father, Rav Yehudah Tzvi, z"l (of blessed memory), was a famous Admor in Israel and a great scholar of Kabbalah. Rav Yehuda Tzvi was a student of Rav Yehuda Leib Ashlag, z"l. Rav Ashlag translated the whole Zohar into Hebrew from the original Aramaic and authored the "Sulam," a commentary on the Zohar which earned him the title "Ba'al HaSulam." He also wrote several books. In addition, Rav Ashlag reedited the "Etz Chayim" which is the definitive Lurianic work on essence and cosmology. To this he added a commentary transposing the somewhat abstract notion of "receptacle" (Kli) into the experientially more accessible term "desire" (Ratzon) in all its many permutations. This work is known as the "Talmud Esser Sphirot."

Rav Brandwein served in the Israel Defense Forces in artillery and was among the soldiers that crossed the Suez Canal into Egypt during the Yom Kippur war. Since 1985 he has taught Torah and Chassidut throughout Israel. A widely respected scholar, he has edited more than twenty volumes of classical Kabbalistic texts. A soft spoken, gentle man of great inner strength, hundreds of people turn to him every year for spiritual guidance and support.

Rav Brandwein was ordained as a Rabbi by G'dolim representing the entire Orthodox community in Israel and also holds an M.A. He has integrated Charedi life with active participation in the life of the modern state. Rav Brandwein has served as a rabbi in the Absorption and Immigration Department of the Jewish Agency providing spiritual assistance to many new immigrants. He is known for his openness to people from all walks of life.

Rav Brandwein established a yeshiva in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem where he teaches Kabbalah. He is known for the depth and clarity of his teachings and has brought many Jews back to Torah.

For More Information Contact:

-Israel: Devor@ USA.net
-Jerusalem: Kol Yehuda Yeshiva, 011-972-545-20359
-USA: Zohara M. Hieronimus zohara@kblh.net 410-367-7300