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{{Short description|Ukrainian rabbi}}
Rabbi '''Menachem Nachum Twerski''' of [[Chernobyl]], was the founder of the [[Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)|Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty]]. Born in [[Garinsk]] [[Volhynia]] in [[1730]] and died in [[Chernobyl]], [[Ukraine]] in [[1797]]. Menachem Nachum was a disciple of the [[Baal Shem Tov]] and the [[Maggid of Mezritch]], and published one of the first works of Hasidic thought.
'''Menachem Nochum Twersky'''<ref>[http://www.zchor.org/baal/dynasties.htm Disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and the Magid of Mezeritch]</ref> of Chernobyl, aka the Me'or Einayim, (born 1730, {{ill|Norynsk|uk|Норинськ}}, [[Volhynia]] - died 1787, [[Chernobyl]], [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]) was a Ukrainian [[rabbi]], and the founder of the [[Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)|Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty]].<ref name="Dynner">{{cite book|author-link1=Glenn Dynner|last=Dynner|first=Glenn|title=Men of silk: the Hasidic conquest of Polish Jewish Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVtp3s8CtScC&q=menahem+nahum&pg=PA238|year=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-517522-6}}</ref> He was a disciple of the [[Baal Shem Tov]] and the [[Maggid of Mezritch]], and published one of the first works of Hasidic thought.<ref name="Green">{{cite book|last=Green|first=Arthur|title=Menahem Nahum of Chernobyl: Upright Practices, The Light of the Eyes|year=1982|publisher=Paulist Press |isbn=9780809123742|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qz4CGp0bbHEC&pg=PR5}}</ref> He is considered one of the pioneers of the Hasidic movement.{{fact|date=July 2019}}<ref>url=http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/kurenets/k_pages/twersky.html</ref>


==Biography==
Orphaned as a child, he was raised by his uncle Rabbi Nachum, who sent him to be educated in one of the highly acclaimed yeshivot in [[Lithuania]]. After his marriage he earned his livelihood as a teacher of young boys, while continuing his intensive studies of Torah.
Orphaned as a child, Twersky was raised by his uncle Rabbi Nochum, who sent him to be educated in one of the highly acclaimed yeshivot in [[Lithuania]]. After his marriage he earned his livelihood as a teacher of young boys, while continuing his intensive studies of [[Torah]].<ref>Encyclopaedia Judaica, TWERSKY, ḥasidic dynasty in the Ukraine.</ref>


With advent of Chassidism, Rabbi Nachum became a disciple of the [[Baal Shem Tov]], the founder of [[Hasidism]]. After the Baal Shem Tov's passing, R' Nachum accepted the [[Maggid of Mezritch]] as his mentor.
With the advent of [[Chassidism]], Twersky became a disciple of the [[Baal Shem Tov]], the founder of Hasidism. After the Baal Shem Tov's death, Twersky accepted the [[Maggid of Mezritch]] as his mentor. His book ''Me'or Einayim'' (Light of the Eyes) was published after his death and contains a collection of his homilies concerning the weekly Torah portions and selections of the [[Talmud]]. The book gained widespread acceptance as one of the major works of Hasidic thought.<ref name="Green"/>


He was succeeded as the Maggid of Chernobyl by his son Rabbi [[Mordechai Twerski of Chernobyl|Mordechai Twerski]]. The surname would become known as '''Twersky''' in the [[United States]]. Seven of Mordechai's eight sons became rebbes, including those of [[Skver (Hasidic dynasty)|Skver]], [[Rachmastrivka (Hasidic dynasty)|Rachmastrivka]], [[Trisk (Hasidic dynasty)|Trisk]], and [[Talner (Hasidic dynasty)|Talner]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Chernobil_Hasidic_Dynasty | title=YIVO &#124; Chernobil Hasidic Dynasty }}</ref>
His book ''Me'or Einayim'' (Light of the Eyes) was published later in his life, and contains a collection of his teachings on the weekly Torah portions and selections of the Talmud. The book gained widespread acceptance as one of the major works of Hasidic thought.


Twersky's daughter, Malka, married Rabbi Avraham of [[Korostyshiv]]. Their daughter, Chava, wife of Rabbi [[Sholom Shachne of Prohobisht]], was the mother of Rabbi [[Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin|Yisroel Friedman]] of [[Ruzhin (Hasidic dynasty)|Ruzhin]].
He was succeeded by his son Rabbi [[Mordechai Twerski of Chernobyl|Mordechai Twerski]], who succeeded him as the Maggid of Chernobyl. The Chernobyl dynasty branched into a number of successive dynasties through Mordechai's eight sons, including those of [[Skver (Hasidic dynasty)|Skver]], [[Rachmastrivka (Hasidic dynasty)|Rachmastrivka ]], [[Trisk (Hasidic dynasty)|Trisk]], and [[Tolna (Hasidic dynasty)|Tolna]].
== ''Me'or Einayim'' ==
Twersky's homilies were later collected in the books ''Me'or Einayim'' and ''Yesamach Lev'' ({{lit|The light of the eyes makes the heart happy}}<ref>[[Book of Proverbs]] 15:30</ref>); They are often published together. They have gained widespread acceptance as major works and foundations of [[Hasidic philosophy|Hasidic ideology]]. ''Me'or Einayim'' comprises Hasidic insights on the [[weekly Torah portion]] and [[Jewish holidays]], influenced by [[Kabbalah]]; it was edited by his student Eliyah.<ref> [https://seforimcenter.com/showScannedImages.aspx?pfile=10331.gif Title page]</ref>
''Yesamach Lev'' collects Rabbi Twersky's insights on Talmudic-[[Aggadah]].


==References==
[[Category:Hasidic rebbes|Twersky, Menachem Nachum]]
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Chernobyl Hasidism]]

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130622165149/http://jewua.org/chernobyl/ History of Jewish Community in Chernobyl]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Twersky, Menachem Nachum}}
[[Category:1730 births]]
[[Category:1797 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Zhytomyr Oblast]]
[[Category:Jewish scholars]]
[[Category:People from Volhynian Voivodeship (1569–1795)]]
[[Category:Rebbes of Chernobyl]]
[[Category:Lithuanian Hasidic rabbis]]
[[Category:Ukrainian Hasidic rabbis]]
[[Category:Hasidic rabbis in Europe]]
[[Category:Students of Dov Ber of Mezeritch]]

Latest revision as of 15:44, 9 October 2024

Menachem Nochum Twersky[1] of Chernobyl, aka the Me'or Einayim, (born 1730, Norynsk [uk], Volhynia - died 1787, Chernobyl, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth) was a Ukrainian rabbi, and the founder of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty.[2] He was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch, and published one of the first works of Hasidic thought.[3] He is considered one of the pioneers of the Hasidic movement.[citation needed][4]

Biography

[edit]

Orphaned as a child, Twersky was raised by his uncle Rabbi Nochum, who sent him to be educated in one of the highly acclaimed yeshivot in Lithuania. After his marriage he earned his livelihood as a teacher of young boys, while continuing his intensive studies of Torah.[5]

With the advent of Chassidism, Twersky became a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. After the Baal Shem Tov's death, Twersky accepted the Maggid of Mezritch as his mentor. His book Me'or Einayim (Light of the Eyes) was published after his death and contains a collection of his homilies concerning the weekly Torah portions and selections of the Talmud. The book gained widespread acceptance as one of the major works of Hasidic thought.[3]

He was succeeded as the Maggid of Chernobyl by his son Rabbi Mordechai Twerski. The surname would become known as Twersky in the United States. Seven of Mordechai's eight sons became rebbes, including those of Skver, Rachmastrivka, Trisk, and Talner.[6]

Twersky's daughter, Malka, married Rabbi Avraham of Korostyshiv. Their daughter, Chava, wife of Rabbi Sholom Shachne of Prohobisht, was the mother of Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhin.

Me'or Einayim

[edit]

Twersky's homilies were later collected in the books Me'or Einayim and Yesamach Lev (lit.'The light of the eyes makes the heart happy'[7]); They are often published together. They have gained widespread acceptance as major works and foundations of Hasidic ideology. Me'or Einayim comprises Hasidic insights on the weekly Torah portion and Jewish holidays, influenced by Kabbalah; it was edited by his student Eliyah.[8] Yesamach Lev collects Rabbi Twersky's insights on Talmudic-Aggadah.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and the Magid of Mezeritch
  2. ^ Dynner, Glenn (2006). Men of silk: the Hasidic conquest of Polish Jewish Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-517522-6.
  3. ^ a b Green, Arthur (1982). Menahem Nahum of Chernobyl: Upright Practices, The Light of the Eyes. Paulist Press. ISBN 9780809123742.
  4. ^ url=http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/kurenets/k_pages/twersky.html
  5. ^ Encyclopaedia Judaica, TWERSKY, ḥasidic dynasty in the Ukraine.
  6. ^ "YIVO | Chernobil Hasidic Dynasty".
  7. ^ Book of Proverbs 15:30
  8. ^ Title page
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