Menachem Nachum Twersky: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Ukrainian rabbi}} |
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'''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> |
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[[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. |
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| ⚫ | 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> |
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| ⚫ | 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"/> |
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| ⚫ | 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 | Chernobil Hasidic Dynasty }}</ref> |
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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]]. |
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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. |
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== ''Me'or Einayim'' == |
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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> |
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''Yesamach Lev'' collects Rabbi Twersky's insights on Talmudic-[[Aggadah]]. |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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| ⚫ | He was succeeded by his son Rabbi [[Mordechai Twerski of Chernobyl|Mordechai Twerski]] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130622165149/http://jewua.org/chernobyl/ History of Jewish Community in Chernobyl] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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==Characteristic episode== |
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Menachem Nachum was once approached by a distinguished-looking person who offered to teach him secrets of Torah. Reb Nachum said, "I cannot accept your offer until I consult with my Rebbe." When he sought his Rebbe's advice, the Mezritcher Maggid replied, "It is good that you came to ask, because that person was a representative of the spiritual forces which oppose holiness." "Incidentally," the Rebbe asked his disciple, "What gave you the idea of inquiring before accepting his suggestion?" Reb Nachum answered, "When I was young, my mother died and my father remarried. My stepmother was very cruel to me. I once came home from yeshivah for lunch when she was not home and noticed that she had left some fried eggs on the stove. Not wanting to waste time, I decided to serve myself and took a portion smaller than what she would normally give me. She returned home while I was eating and abruptly struck me across the face. I began to cry, and pleaded with her, 'Why did you hit me? I took less than what I normally receive!' She replied, 'I am punishing you because alain nemt men nit — One should not take anything alone without permission.' Since that very day I learned not to take anything without permission, regardless of how good or desirable it may be."<ref>[http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/vedibarta-bam/032.htm]</ref> |
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<references/> |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1730 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1797 deaths]] |
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[[Category:People from Zhytomyr Oblast]] |
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[[Category:Jewish scholars]] |
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[[de:Nachum von Tschernobyl]] |
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[[Category:People from Volhynian Voivodeship (1569–1795)]] |
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[[yi:מאור עינים (טשערנאביל)]] |
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[[Category:Rebbes of Chernobyl]] |
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[[Category:Lithuanian Hasidic rabbis]] |
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[[Category:Ukrainian Hasidic rabbis]] |
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[[Category:Hasidic rabbis in Europe]] |
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[[Category:Students of Dov Ber of Mezeritch]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:44, 9 October 2024
Menachem Nochum Twersky[1] of Chernobyl, aka the Me'or Einayim, (born 1730, Norynsk, 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]- ^ Disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and the Magid of Mezeritch
- ^ Dynner, Glenn (2006). Men of silk: the Hasidic conquest of Polish Jewish Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-517522-6.
- ^ a b Green, Arthur (1982). Menahem Nahum of Chernobyl: Upright Practices, The Light of the Eyes. Paulist Press. ISBN 9780809123742.
- ^ url=http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/kurenets/k_pages/twersky.html
- ^ Encyclopaedia Judaica, TWERSKY, ḥasidic dynasty in the Ukraine.
- ^ "YIVO | Chernobil Hasidic Dynasty".
- ^ Book of Proverbs 15:30
- ^ Title page
