Menachem Nachum Twersky
Encyclopedia
Rabbi
Menachem Nochum Twerski of Chernobyl
(born 1730, Narynsk, Volhynia
- died 1798, Chernobyl
, Ukraine
) was the founder of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty
. He was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch, and published one of the first works of Hasidic thought. His yartzeit is on 11 Cheshvan
.
. After his marriage he earned his livelihood as a teacher of young boys, while continuing his intensive studies of Torah.
With the advent of Chassidism, Rabbi Nochum became a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. After the Baal Shem Tov's passing, R' Nochum accepted the Maggid of Mezritch as his mentor. 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.
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
. The Chernobyl dynasty branched into a number of successive dynasties through Mordechai's eight sons, including those of Skver
, Rachmastrivka
, Trisk
, and Talner.
Rabbi Nochum's daughter, Malka, married Rabbi Avraham of Korostyshiv
. Their daughter, Chava, wife of Rabbi Shakhna of Pohrebysche
, was the mother of Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhin
.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Menachem Nochum Twerski of Chernobyl
Chernobyl
Chernobyl or Chornobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine, in Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city had been the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion since 1932....
(born 1730, Narynsk, Volhynia
Volhynia
Volhynia, Volynia, or Volyn is a historic region in western Ukraine located between the rivers Prypiat and Southern Bug River, to the north of Galicia and Podolia; the region is named for the former city of Volyn or Velyn, said to have been located on the Southern Bug River, whose name may come...
- died 1798, Chernobyl
Chernobyl
Chernobyl or Chornobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine, in Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city had been the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion since 1932....
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
) was the founder of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty
Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)
Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the "Meor Einayim Chernobyl is a...
. He was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch, and published one of the first works of Hasidic thought. His yartzeit is on 11 Cheshvan
Cheshvan
Marcheshvan , sometimes shortened to Cheshvan , is the second month of the civil year and the eighth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew...
.
Biography
Orphaned as a child, he was raised by his uncle Rabbi Nochum, who sent him to be educated in one of the highly acclaimed yeshivot in LithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. After his marriage he earned his livelihood as a teacher of young boys, while continuing his intensive studies of Torah.
With the advent of Chassidism, Rabbi Nochum became a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. After the Baal Shem Tov's passing, R' Nochum accepted the Maggid of Mezritch as his mentor. 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.
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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Chernobyl dynasty branched into a number of successive dynasties through Mordechai's eight sons, including those of Skver
Skver (Hasidic dynasty)
Skver is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twerski in the city of Skver . Followers of the rebbes of Skver are called Skverer hasidim....
, Rachmastrivka
Rachmastrivka (Hasidic dynasty)
Rachmastrivka is a Hasidic dynasty named after a town in Ukraine. It is an offshoot of the Chernobyl dynasty dating back to the 19th century.The founder of the dynasty, Rebbe Yochanan Twersky, was known for his humility. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Pinchos of Kalk...
, Trisk
Trisk (Hasidic dynasty)
Trisk is a Hasidic dynasty originating in Turisk, Ukraine. The first rebbe of Trisk was Grand Rabbi Avraham Twersky , son of Grand Rabbi Mordechai Twersky of Chernobyl....
, and Talner.
Rabbi Nochum's daughter, Malka, married Rabbi Avraham of Korostyshiv
Korostyshiv
Korostyshiv is a city in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. Population is 26,068 ....
. Their daughter, Chava, wife of Rabbi Shakhna of Pohrebysche
Pohrebysche
Pohrebysche is a town in Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Pohrebyschensky Raion in western Ukraine. Pohrebysche is situated near the sources of the Ros River.-Names:Pohrebysche is also known as , , -History:...
, was the mother of Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhin
Ruzhin (Hasidic dynasty)
The Ruzhin Hasidic dynasty was founded by Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn, . Today, Ruzhyn is an urban-type settlement in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. Rav Yisroel's father was the Rebbe Sholom Shachne of Prhobisht, who was a son of Rabbi Avrohom "HaMalach"...
.