R. Zev Volf (Velvel) Vilenker (c. 5535- c. 5621) was originally from Vilna, and became a chasid of the Alter Rebbe under the influence of his older brother, R. Moshe Vilenker. The Frierdiker Rebbe described R. Velvel as possessing “a brilliant mind, a warm heart, and an oved Hashem with complete bitul.” He lived in Vitebsk where he was a wealthy businessman, helping many of Anash to earn a living. The famous chossid R. Avraham Abba Person was married to R. Zev’s granddaughter and heard many stories from him, which he related to the Frierdiker Rebbe.
Having been drawn to Chassidus by his brother R. Moshe who was 21 years his senior, R. Velvel once said to him, "You always share with me Torah that you heard from the Alter Rebbe. Tell me once of a miracle that the Rebbe performed."
R. Moshe replied, "I'm giving you from the 'cream of oil' and you want the toenails?!"
(סה"מ אידיש ע' 310)
R. Velvel shared how he once walked by as the Alter Rebbe was learning in his room, and at that moment he felt clearly that "ein od milvado," there is nothing besides Hashem. A trace of this belief remained with him for the rest of his life.
(למען ידעו ע' 270)
R. Velvel dealt in brokering contracts and, to this end, he would travel across Russia. During his travels, he would often encouter opponents of Chassidus.
At a gathering, R. Velvel shared, "The backbone of chassidim is the feeling and preciousness for a chassidishe story, a chassidishe niggun and a closed-eyed dveikus dance." The Rebbe Rashab praised this vort.
(סה"מ תש"ט ע' 555)
R. Velvel once shared about himself, "The Rebbe's look impacted me that I shouldn't speak a word without thinking first." Whenever he could suffice with motioning, he would not speak. His words were calculated, and he used them only for necessary matters.
(אג"ק ריי"צ ח"א ע' 314)
