# Yitzchok Friedman

Rabbi Yitzchok Friedman (1850 – 11 March 1917) was the founder and first Rebbe of the Boyan Hasidic dynasty. He was known as the Pachad Yitzchok (Dread of Isaac).

## Early life

Yitzchok Friedman was the eldest son of Rabbi Avrohom Yaakov Friedman (1820–1883), the first Sadigura Rebbe, and his wife Miriam. He was the grandson of Rabbi Yisroel of Ruzhin (1797–1851), founder of the Ruzhin dynasty.
At the age of 15, he married Malka Twersky, daughter of Rabbi Yochanan Twersky, the Rachmastrivka Rebbe. They had four sons and one daughter.

## Founding of Boyaner Hasidism

Upon his father's death in 1883, Rabbi Yitzchok and his younger brother, Rabbi Yisrael (1852–1907), jointly assumed leadership of their father's Hasidim. Although they were content with this arrangement, many of the Sadigura Hasidim preferred to have only one Rebbe. As a result, in 1887 the brothers agreed to draw lots to determine who would stay in Sadigura and who would move out; Rabbi Yisrael drew the lot to remain as the second Sadigerer Rebbe. Therefore, Rabbi Yitzchok moved to the neighboring town of Boiany (Boyan) and established his court there, becoming the first Boyaner Rebbe.
Under Yitzchok's leadership, the town of Boiany became a Hasidic center with a synagogue and four prayer houses. Boyaner communities were established in neighboring towns and in Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Safed. He encouraged Dov Ber Horenstein, one of his wealthy Hasidim who was childless, to build houses in Jerusalem as a memorial for himself. The neighborhood founded by Dov Ber Horenstein was formed near what is now known as Geula.
Friedman was known for his piety and humility. He presented a regal demeanor to the public and lived in a palatial home, reflecting the Ruzhin tradition founded by his grandfather, Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. He was revered by his Hasidim, and formed close relationships with them. He was also known for his Torah knowledge and his love for the Land of Israel; he inherited the title of Nasi (president) of Kolel Vohlin in the Land of Israel from his father, taking on the responsibility of coordinating all funds sent for the welfare of the Orthodox community there.

## Final years and succession

At the beginning of World War I, the Russian army occupied Boiany and the Jewish neighborhood was completely destroyed. The Boyaner Rebbe and his family fled to Vienna. In 1916, the Rabbe became deathly ill, but recovered. On 11 March 1917 (17 Adar 5677), he became ill again and called for his wife and children to bid them farewell. On his death bed, he began singing a nigun (song) of deveikut (attachment to God). While singing, he died. The Boyaner Rebbi was buried in the Vienna Jewish cemetery. His eldest son, Rabbi Menachem Nachum (1869–1936), was buried in the same locationohel after his death.
After the war, Yitzchok's four sons each moved to a different country to establish their courts. Rabbi Menachem Nachum, his eldest son, became the Boyaner Rebbe in Chernowitz, Bukovina. Afterwards, Rabbi Menachem Nachum's son-in-law, Rabbi Moshenu (1841–1943), became the Boyaner Rebbe in Kraków. Then, Yitzchok's second son, Rabbi Yisroel (1878–1951), became the Boyaner Rebbe in Leipzig, Germany. His third son, Rabbi Avrohom Yaakov (1884–1941), became the Boyaner Rebbe in Lemberg. His fourth son, Rabbi Mordechai Shlomo (1891–1971), became the Boyaner Rebbe in New York. After the latter's death, the Boyaner dynasty was without a leader until 1984, when Rabbi Mordechai Shlomo's grandson, Rabbi Nachum Dov Brayer (born 1959), was crowned Boyaner Rebbe. Rabbi Nachum Dov Brayer continues as Boyaner Rebbe.
The dynasty is now headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel, where Nachum Dov Brayer resides.