 Friedman was a direct descendant through the male line of Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch (the Maggid of Mezritch) (1704–1772), the main disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.He was the great-grandson of the Maggid of Mezritch, the grandson of Rabbi Avrohom HaMalach (1740–1777), and the son of Sholom Shachne, Rebbe of Prohobisht (1769–1802).His maternal grandfather was Rabbi Nochum of Chernobyl, a close associate of the Baal Shem Tov.