Mashpia
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Mashpia (Heb. משפיע) lit. "giver," i.e., "Spiritual guide," pl. Mashpi'im (Heb. משפיעים) is a title that refers to a rabbi or rebbetzin (then called mashpioh) who has an official position of spiritual mentor within a yeshiva or girls' seminary belonging to the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement.
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[edit] Definition
Although counterparts to the Mashpia exist in other Hasidic and non-Hasidic movements (such as the Mashgiach ruchani), this term is exclusive to the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, because this mentoring role is significantly different from the approach of other groups. It refers specifically to one whose communal service as a spiritual mentor includes providing:
- personal guidance in matters of decent interpersonal conduct and fine character traits;
- inspiration to strive ever higher in one's spiritual growth, through intensive Torah study and observance of Mitzvos, particularly according to the Chabad Hasidic tradition;
- answers to those seeking clarification on matters of Hasidic philosophy, customs, and general conduct according to the Chabad-Lubavitch school of thought; and
- personally-tailored advice on how to advance in the uniquely Chabad discipline of avodas ha'tefilah, lit. "the service of prayer." This discipline involves lengthy meditation on sublime Hasidic concepts before and during the course of prayer.
The nature of the Mashpia's role is alluded to in the preface to the Tanya, the classic text of Hasidic philosophy written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the first Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. It is discussed in numerous public talks delivered by Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. In particular, he instructed that one should approach one's Mashpia regularly to be examined and evaluated.
There is a distinction to be drawn between a Rav, i.e., a personal mentor and adviser, and a Mashpia. Although the two terms are similar and are often used interchangably, the latter term usually refers to someone knowledgeable and scholarly, who holds some official communal position. The former term, however, refers to an individual who is chosen simply as an objective outsider to offer advice and guidance. This person need not be otherwise qualified.
[edit] Famous Mashpi'im
[edit] Mashpi'im of Old
- Reb Michoel der Alter, d. (Lubavitch, Russia)
- Reb Zev Wolf Levitin, d. (Lubavitch, Russia)
- Reb Shmuel Groinem Esterman, d. (Lubavitch, Russia)
- Reb Shilem Kuratin, d. (Lubavitch, Russia)
- Reb Itche Der Masmid, d. (travelling Mashpia in pre-WWII Europe]]
- Reb Zalman Moshe HaYitzchaki, d. (Nevel, Russia)
- Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, d. (Kfar Chabad)
- Reb Shmuel Levitin, d. (Russia; Crown Heights)
- Reb Mendel Futerfas, d. (Russia; Kfar Chabad)
- Reb Nissan Neminov, d. (Brunoy, France)
- Reb Zalman Serebryanski, d. (Melbourne, Australia)
[edit] Mashpi'im of Today
- Reb Yoel Kahn (Crown Heights, NY)
- Reb Volf Greenglass (Montreal, Canada)
- Reb Meilech Tzvibel (Morristown, NJ)
- Reb Zalman Gopin (Kfar Chabad, the Land of Israel)
- Reb Itche Meir Gurary (Montreal, Canada)
- Reb Boruch Lesches (Sydney, Australia; Monsey, NY)
- Reb Fitche Ofen (Yerushalayim/Tsfas, the Land of Israel)
- Reb Shloime Zarchi (Crown Heights, NY)
- Reb Barel Lipsker (Crown Heights, NY)
- Reb Avrohom Lipskier (Seagate, NY)
- Reb Avrohom Boruch Pevzner (Yerushalayim, the Land of Israel)
- Reb Zushe Alperovitch (Kiryat Gat, the Land of Israel)
- Reb Yosef Yitzchak Segal (Migdal Ha'Emek, the Land of Israel)
- Reb Sholom Charitonov (Crown Heights, NY)
- Reb Shloma Majesky (Crown Heights, NY)
- Reb Ya'akov Winner (Melbourne, Australia)
- Reb Simcha Werner (Monsey, NY)
- Reb Yossi Jacobson (Crown Heights, NY)
- Reb Moshe Horenshtein (Tzfat, the Land of Israel)
- Reb Yossi Gurary (Detroit, Michinan)
- Reb Noam Wagner (Johannesburg, S. Africa)
- Rabbi Shapiro (Los Angeles, CA)
[edit] Mashpi'ois
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, in a historically unprecedented initiative, also encouraged women and girls to assume a similar role of providing guidance, referring to such a woman with the feminine Hebrew form of Mashpia, Mashpi'oh (Heb. משפיעה) pl. Mashpi'os (Heb. משפיעות).
[edit] Famous Mashpi'os
- d. Nechama Greisman (Crown Heights, NY)
- Miriam Swerdlow (Crown Heights, NY)
- Chana Rochel Shusterman (LA, CA)
- Shimona Tzukernik (Crown Heights, NY)
- Chaya Teldon (Long Island, NY)
- Rishe Deitsch (Crown Heights, NY)
