Harav Hatzaddik Rav Asher Perlow of Stolin xy` 'x w''dxd ;oilehqn aelxt known as ,xy` iax xrqiexb xrc Rav Asher is nicknamed Der Alter or Groiser Stoliner, among Karliner chassidim, to differentiate between him and his grandson who bears the same name Rav Asher of Stolin. This This also applies to Rav Aaron Hagadol, as his grandson was also Rav Aaron of Karlin, the author of Beis Aron. Rav Asher was born in 1759 to Rabbi Aaron Hagadol of Karlin and his mother Leah. His father,was from the top students of the Magid of Mezritch. He passed away suddenly at the age of 36 and left his son Rav Asher a orphan. Rav Asher was raised by his father's disciple, Harav Rav Shlomo of Karlin, who succeeded Rav Aaron as the second Rebbe of Karlin. Rav Asher learnt a lot by Rav Shlomo, and said that his pure and clear Emunah in Hashem, he achieved through Rav Shlomo. He also learned chassidus from Rav Baruch of Mezibuzh, the grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, and Rav Yisrael, the Kozhnitzer Magid. Following Rav Shlomo's passing in 1792, the Chassidim handed the reins to Rav Asher and crowned his as Rebbe, and he was the third Rebbe in Karlin dynasty. He married the widow of Rav Aharon HaShosek (The Silent) of Zelichov, and he had his son HaRav Aaron who was the fourth Rebbe in Karlin.
Rav Asher did not settle in Karlin, which was under the reign of the misnagdim at the time. Instead, he settled in Zelichov, which was a bastion of chassidus. However, the former chassidim of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who was once Rav in Zelichov, didn’t take to Rav Asher; his derech didn’t suit them. He therefore left for Stolin, which was not far from Karlin, where he established his court. From then on, Karlin-Stolin became the famed twin cities of this dynasty. Under his leadership the number of chassidim grew dramatically, and his wide influence extended over Polesia and Volhynia.
When Harav Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi the Baal HaTanya was jailed for the first time, in 1799, Rav Asher as well as Rav Mordechai of Lechovitch were also imprisoned. The latter two Lithuanian tzaddikim were set free on the fifth day of Chanukah, therefore, the chassidim of both Karlin-Stolin and Lechovitch commemorate that day as a Yom Tov, much as the 19th day of Kislev, the date of Rav Shneur Zalman’s release, is celebrated by Chabad. He Passed away on the 26th day of Tishrei, 5587 (1827) and was laid to rest in Karlin beside his father. A joint ohel was erected over both graves. He was succeeded by his son, Rav Aaron, author of the Beis Aron. His daughter Perel married Rav Aaron, the son of Rav Mordechai of Lechovitch. Rav Mordechai, attended the wedding of his son in Karlin and passed away then, and he was buried in a ohel near the graves of Rav Aaron and Rav Asher in Karlin.
Rav Asher was known for his Avodas in Tefilah and he inherited the screaming by davening from his Rebbe Rav Shlomo. This Avodah went over to Rav Shlomo’s’s other students as Lechovitch, Strettin and Strelisk. Rav Asher said he has chassidim, simple people who attained Ruach Hakodesh from their screaming by Davening. He was a powerful and sweet Baal Tefilah. Harav Dovid the Magid of Stepin vowed then, that when Moshiach will come, He and the seven shepherds with him will send Rav Asher as the Baal Tefila for Mussaf
Rabbi Asher of Stolin Earns Money Because He Despises It
Rabbi Asher of Stolin visited a shtetl (town) where there was a maggid (preacher) who came to give a sermon on the Sabbath. The entire town donated to the Stoliner, but the maggid was barely successful. Later, the shtadt magid (town magid) and R. Asher’l met, and the maggid asked, “Can you help me understand? Why did you receive so much money despite speaking very little, while I received so little despite my long sermon?” The Stoliner replied, “Comprehend! I despise money. When I speak, I impart these feelings to my listeners, which is why they give me their money. On the other hand, you continue to intently bear in mind the money. As a result, when you preach, you instill in the listeners the same feeling, causing them to develop an attachment to their own money and do not give it away.”
Only One Thing Really Bothers Me
Once, during the Viduy of Al Chet, the confessions of Yom Kippur, Rav Asher cried out as he said the words “And on the sin that we sinned before You!” He cried out, “So what if they have to roast us in the fires of Gehinnom for our sins? So what?! That is the will of Hashem! Only one thing truly bothers me, just one thing! That ‘we sinned before You.’ Oy vey! Before Whom did I sin? Before Whom am I guilty? To You! Only to You!”
