The first Bobover Rebbe, was Harav Shlomo Halberstam (1847–1905), son of Rabbi Mayer Noson (1827-1855), son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz (1793-1876). Rav Shlomo became an orphan at age eight, and lived with his grandfather, the Divrei Chaim, for most of his early life. Rabbi Ben Tzion Halberstam, (1874–1941) author of Kedushas Tzion was the second Rebbe of Bobov and started the Bobover Yeshiva, which was originally situated in the town of Bobov itself. However, under his guidance, the court grew in numbers, with Chassidishe Bachurim flocking to Bobov. Subsequently, as many as sixty branches of the yeshiva under the name Etz Chaim were established throughout Galicia.
During World War II, the Rebbe himself was murdered in the Holocaust, together with his family members and thousands of his followers. A few hundred Chassidim survived, and the Rebbe's son, Harav Shlomo Halberstam, took it upon himself to rebuild Bobov. (1908–2000)
In the village of Kaminka, located near Kshanov, Chrzanów, in Galicia, a commotion erupted when a farmer named Roman Bielevsky was discovered dead. This incident raised immediate concerns for Mr. Balad, the proprietor of a Jewish inn, who had recently had a confrontation with the farmer. During that altercation, the farmer had assaulted Mr. Balad, subjecting him to severe insults and physical harm. Although Mr. Balad was innocent, this did not prevent his subsequent imprisonment, and a harsh judgment ahead.
Mr. Balad's young son acted swiftly, making his way to Harav Ben Tzion Halberstam, the Kedushas Tzion of Bobov. There, he confided in the Rebbe, expressing his deep fears for his father's safety, and shedding tears over the grave peril that loomed over him. He also informed the Rebbe that the farmer had three opponents who had long been threatening his life, and he feared that his father would disregard these warnings. It was evident to him that one of these enemies might be responsible for the farmer's demise, but he was uncertain how to prove this.
The Rebbe contemplated the situation and instructed the boy to return home promptly, ensuring he arrived before the farmer's body was buried. He advised the boy to approach the police and request that they delay the burial, as he had a method, provided by the Rebbe, to ascertain the identity of the farmer's killer. The police held the Rebbe in high regard, and they quickly summoned the police investigator to discuss the Rebbe's suggestion. The boy relayed that the Rebbe proposed that, given the existence of three potential suspects, the police should bring the deceased farmer to the courthouse. He should also summon his father along with the three enemies of the deceased, asking each of them to extend their hand towards the farmer's body. The individual who withdrew his hand peacefully would not be the murderer, while the one whose hand remained extended would be indicated as the killer!
Due to the esteemed reputation of the Rebbe throughout Galicia, and his considerable influence across various societal levels, including among non-Jews, the investigating judge, following a brief consultation with the police, accepted the Rebbe's proposal. The body was transferred to the courthouse, and presented to the four individuals, with an order that everyone must shake the hand of the deceased. Whoever is able to return the hand peacefully, signifies their innocence, while failure to do so indicates guilt as the murderer. Everyone expressed their readiness to participate.
When asked who would like to be the first, Mr. Balad proclaimed his innocence, extended his hand, shook the hand of the deceased, and safely withdrew it. However, when it was the turn of the third adversary, Mr. Joseph Falnik, to shake the hand of the deceased, he began to tremble and was fearful of doing so. The police compelled him, and as soon as he grasped the hand of the deceased, he screamed in terror, and immediately confessed to having had a quarrel with the farmer regarding the boundaries of their fields, which had not been resolved, leading him to kill the farmer in a fit of revenge on the road.
An uproar ensued, and the judge admired the wisdom of Bobover Rov for identifying the guilty party and exonerating the innocent. The adversary Mr. Falnik was taken into custody, while the homeowner, Mr. Balad, was released. The story rapidly spread throughout the country. The Rebbe's wisdom was instrumental in unraveling the murder mystery, and liberating a Jew from the grave danger that loomed over him without any wrongdoing. The Jewish newspaper Der Isrelit reported on the incident as simple wisdom, but the Chassidim recognized it as a great miracle of Bobover Rov.
(Israelit Frankfurt Tammuz 1929 reprinted in the Sefer Arzei Halevanon page 167)
