Why was Rav Zalman Levine — a disciple of European roshei yeshivah, and the only son of the “Malach” who created a spiritual revolution in 1920s America — hiding in Albany?
I’ ve passed by Albany so many times the midpoint between New York and Montreal. I’ve davened Shacharis there and enjoyed coffee and a good schmooze with the locals after davening.
But always I missed the real story.
Then several years ago I wrote an article about one of the most intriguing figures in American Orthodox life of the last century the Malach.
His real name was Rav Chaim Avrohom Dov Ber Hakohein Levine: the title referred to his ascetic otherworldly ways but what made him unique was what he did in his angel-like state.
He combined the influence of very different mentors: the intensity and depth of Chabad chassidus fueled his davening while the penetratingly analytical method of Rav Chaim Brisker guided him in learning.
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