Today, the 22nd of Shvat, was the 151st anniversary of the death of the Kotzker Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgenstern, famous for his search for truth – and for closing himself in his room for the last 20 years of his life in its pursuit.
The Kotzker, as he was known, was among the original students of the "Holy Jew" from Peshischa, and later studied with Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, among those who reinforced the spiritual strength of the young but growing Hassidic movement. He became an Admor, a Grand Hassidic Rabbi, at age 40 upon the death of his teacher Rabbi Simcha Bunim.
He was uncompromising in his demands for perfection from himself and his students. Some of his students, led by Rebbe Mordechai Yosef Leiner, felt his methods were too austere and parted ways with him.
"There is nothing so whole as a broken heart" is one of the many sayings of the Kotzker Rebbe. He further told his students, "I want you not to sin not because it's forbidden, but because you have no time to sin."
During his last 20 years, he left his room only rarely to speak with his students or family members; he received his food – a daily portion of bread and soup – through a hole in the door. He is said to have uttered, upon his death, "Death is actually no big deal; it's just like walking from one room to a better one."
Various Hassidic streams trace their roots to the Kotzker Rebbe, including Ger, founded by his brother-in-law and student-colleague Rabbi Yitzchak Meir (the Hidushei HaRim); Sochatchov, founded by his son-in-law, the Avnei Nezer; Amshinov; and the students of his grandson Rabbi Yisrael of Pilov, known as the "Zionist Rebbe," who supported the attempt to settle the Land of Israel.