Aharon Perlow was the third Rebbe of the Koidanov Hasidic dynasty.
Background
Perlow was born in Koidanov (present-day Dzyarzhynsk, Belarus) to Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Perlow (1818–1870), the second Koidanover Rebbe. He was the great-great-grandson of both Rabbi Mordechai of Lyakhavichy (Lechovitch) (c 1742–1810) and Rabbi Asher Perlow of Karlin.
Career
He authored several important works that became standard texts for Koidanover Hasidim to this day, including a siddur, Seder Tefilot Yisrael Or Hayashar ("The Direct Light: Order of Prayers of Israel"). Before acceding to the leadership of the Koidanover Hasidim, he was the Rav of the Koidanover shtiebel in Lechovitch. He pioneered the opening of prayer houses in different towns that followed the teachings of the Rebbes of Lechovitch, Kobryn, Slonim, and Koidanov.
He became the third Koidanover Rebbe upon the death of his father in 1870.
The new rebbe’s charismatic personality and scholarship attracted thousands of Hasidim to Koidanov. He reportedly told his Hasidim: "Whoever gives money to Hovevei Zion forfeits his reward in the world to come, despite all the charitable deeds that he may have performed and may yet perform throughout his life".
In his writings and demeanor, Rebbe Aharon embodied the "mystical-charismatic style" of the Rebbes of Karlin-Stolin, of which Koidanov is a branch. He also authored a siddur entitled Seder Tefilot Yisrael Or Hayashar ("The Direct Light: Order of Prayers of Israel"), in which he enumerated "eight mystical practices for spiritual perfection".
This siddur is still used by Koidanover Hasidim today.
Other works, including Haggadah shel Pesach Siach Avot (1991) and Zekher Tzadik (1905), were published posthumously. The present-day Koidanover Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Meir Ehrlich, is the great-grandson of the son-in-law of Rebbe Aharon.
Politics
While he supported settlement in the Land of Israel, he spoke strongly against the tenets of Zionism.