Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kalisch, “the Silent Rebbe” of Worky (Worka), was born in 1819 to Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak, the founder of the Worky dynasty. He was a disciple of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. Even while his father was still alive, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Worky headed and guided a small group, which included some of the greatest chassidim. Rabbi Menachem Mendel synthesized the warm-hearted ways of the Chassidut of Worky with the sharp-edged Chassidut of Kotzk. His group of chassidim was called “the Lion Group.” After his father’s passing on 22 Nissan 5608 (1848), Rabbi Menachem Mendel refused to succeed him as Rebbe. Rebbe Shraga Feivel of Geritza was appointed to the position, but he passed away after half a year, on Sukkot 5609. Only then, as per the instructions of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Worky agreed to succeed his father, and officially became the Rebbe from Worky. Rabbi Menachem Mendel spoke very little and even his words of Torah were succinct. He fell ill on Pesach 5628 and after Shavu’ot, he was taken to Warsaw, where he passed away a few days later, on the 16th of Sivan 5628 (1868).
Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Worky: Lean on Me
