Mezhybizh: Difference between revisions

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In 5500 (1740), the [[Baal Shem Tov]] was searching for a place to settle. His disciple R' [[Nachman of Horodenka]] wrote to his brother, the town's moreh tzedek R' Yaakov Yehudah Leib, who promptly invited the Baal Shem Tov to come. The invitation was accompanied by a letter from the town's non-Jewish leadership as well, eager to raise Mezhybizh's standing by attracting so illustrious a figure.

The Baal Shem Tov heard the offer and agreed, saying: "I could have settled in [[Nemirov]]<ref>A large and important city.</ref> — where many Jews were martyred for the sanctification of G‑d's name<ref>During the Chmielnicki massacres of 5408–5409 (1648–1649), led by the Gaon Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel of Nemirov]].</ref> — but I prefer Mezhybizh, because it sits beside a river and I will have an abundance of fish for [[Shabbos]]."<ref>In the name of R' Yosef of Mezhybizh, a great-great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov through the Degel Machaneh Ephraim, a different version is told, connected to the construction of a new beis midrash in place of the old one by the government rabbi and community patron R' Berish Bilayois; a heavenly accusation arose against the town, R' Berish fell gravely ill, and the Baal Shem Tov came to heal him — and to nullify the accusation he settled in the town and established himself in the old beis midrash. See at length in the book ''Ir Mivtzar''.</ref>

The Baal Shem Tov heard the offer and agreed, saying: "I could have settled in [[Nemirov]]<ref>A large and important city.</ref> — where many Jews were martyred for the sanctification of G‑d's name<ref>During the Chmielnicki massacres of 5408–5409 (1648–1649), led by the Gaon Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel of Nemirov]].</ref> — but I prefer Mezhybizh, because it sits beside a river and I will have an abundance of fish for [[Shabbos]]."<ref>In the name of R' Yosef of Mezhybizh, a great-great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov through the [[Degel Machaneh Ephraim]], a different version is told, connected to the construction of a new beis midrash in place of the old one by the government rabbi and community patron R' Berish Bilayois; a heavenly accusation arose against the town, R' Berish fell gravely ill, and the Baal Shem Tov came to heal him — and to nullify the accusation he settled in the town and established himself in the old beis midrash. See at length in the book ''Ir Mivtzar''.</ref>

That same year,<ref>Several versions exist for the precise year of his settlement, but the figure recorded in contemporary documents is 5500 (1740).</ref> the Baal Shem Tov settled in Mezhybizh together with his daughter Marat [[Adel]], his son-in-law Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel Ashkenazi]],<ref>Their children, born in Mezhybizh over the years, included R' Moshe Chaim Ephraim — author of the [[Degel Machaneh Ephraim]] — R' [[Baruch of Mezhybizh]], and their daughter Feiga, mother of R' [[Nachman of Breslov]].</ref> his secretary R' [[Tzvi the Scribe]], and his devoted disciple R' [[Zev Volf Kitzes]]. According to the town's records, he received, in his capacity as a doctor and ''baal shem'' (a healer who worked with holy names), a rent-free apartment beside the old beis midrash where he prayed, together with complete exemption from taxes.

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Around 5547 (1787), R' [[Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov]] — author of the [[Degel Machaneh Ephraim]] and a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, who had been born and raised in Mezhybizh — returned to the town and served there as rabbi and maggid (preacher). He was deeply beloved by the community.

Because he did not hold the position of Rebbe (Chassidic master), no formal Chassidic court formed around him, and his leadership remained local. Mezhybizh did not recover its former centrality.

Because he did not hold the position of Rebbe — Chassidic master — no formal Chassidic court formed around him, and his leadership remained local. Mezhybizh did not recover its former centrality.

R' Ephraim passed away on 17 Iyar 5560 (1800).

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==The Era of the Ohev Yisrael and His Descendants==

After R' Baruch's passing, the community turned to the [[Rebbe]] R' [[Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apt]] — known as the '''Ohev Yisrael''' ("Lover of Israel"), after the title of his celebrated work — who was then residing in the city of [[Iași ~~(Jassy)~~|Jassy]], and invited him to serve as their rabbi.<ref>The Ohev Yisrael's relationship with Chabad Chassidus was somewhat strained.</ref> He accepted,<ref>It is told that upon arriving in the town he noticed that the community members appeared somewhat downcast, and he understood they feared he would not live long due to his advanced age. He said to them: "I promise you that I will serve here as rabbi for exactly thirteen years — just as the Degel Machaneh Ephraim did." And so it was.</ref> and led the community for thirteen years before his passing in 5585 (1825).~~<ref>The article's source gives the year as 5545 (1785), which appears to be a typographic error; the Ohev Yisrael is recorded in other sources as passing in 5585 (1825).</ref>~~

After R' Baruch's passing, the community turned to the [[Rebbe]] R' [[Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apt]] — known as the '''Ohev Yisrael''' ("Lover of Israel"), after the title of his celebrated work — who was then residing in the city of [[Iași|Jassy]], and invited him to serve as their rabbi.<ref>The Ohev Yisrael's relationship with Chabad Chassidus was somewhat strained.</ref> He accepted,<ref>It is told that upon arriving in the town he noticed that the community members appeared somewhat downcast, and he understood they feared he would not live long due to his advanced age. He said to them: "I promise you that I will serve here as rabbi for exactly thirteen years — just as the Degel Machaneh Ephraim did." And so it was.</ref> and led the community for thirteen years before his passing in 5585 (1825).

His son R' Yitzchak-Meir led the community in Zinkov, near Mezhybizh. R' Yitzchak-Meir's grandson, the Rebbe R' Avraham Yehoshua Heschel,<ref>Son-in-law of R' [[Shalom Yosef Friedman]] of [[Sadigura|Sadigorer Chassidus]].</ref> returned to Mezhybizh and established his own Chassidic court there. He passed away in 5648 (1888). His son R' Shalom Yosef Yisrael succeeded him, followed by R' Shalom Yosef Yisrael's eldest son, R' Avraham Yehoshua of Mezhybizh, who after a time relocated to [[Ternopil]] and established his court there. R' Avraham Yehoshua's brother, the Rebbe R' Yitzchak Meir Heschel of Mezhybizh, then led the community, with their mother the Rebbetzin Bas Sheva remaining in the town as well. He purchased his ancestor the Ohev Yisrael's beis midrash from his cousins, and courageously defended the synagogue against government seizure. When the authorities ultimately ordered all Jews to vacate the building, R' Yitzchak Meir transferred his leadership to Odessa, operating under difficult conditions. He eventually emigrated to the Holy Land and established his beis midrash, called "Ohev Yisrael," in Haifa.

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In Menachem Av 5701 (August 1941), the Russian army withdrew from Mezhybizh and German forces occupied the town. Ukrainian nationalists immediately began attacking the Jewish population, and the Baal Shem Tov's beis midrash was destroyed to its foundations. The beis midrash standing today is a reconstruction of the original.

[[File:בית כנסת הבעל שם טוב במז'יבוז'.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The reconstructed synagogue of the Baal Shem Tov in Mezhybizh (Menachem Av 5771 / 2011)]]

For thirteen months, the Jews of Mezhybizh endured unimaginable suffering. They were confined to a ghetto surrounded by high, tangled barbed wire, with fifteen to twenty people crowded into a single room. The town's young men were sent to forced labor, and many perished.

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[[Category:Ukraine]]

[[Category:History of Chassidus]]

[[Category: Baal Shem Tov]]

[[Category:Baal Shem Tov]]

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 In 5500 (1740), the [[Baal Shem Tov]] was searching for a place to settle. His disciple R' [[Nachman of Horodenka]] wrote to his brother, the town's moreh tzedek R' Yaakov Yehudah Leib, who promptly invited the Baal Shem Tov to come. The invitation was accompanied by a letter from the town's non-Jewish leadership as well, eager to raise Mezhybizh's standing by attracting so illustrious a figure.
-The Baal Shem Tov heard the offer and agreed, saying: "I could have settled in [[Nemirov]]<ref>A large and important city.</ref> — where many Jews were martyred for the sanctification of G‑d's name<ref>During the Chmielnicki massacres of 5408–5409 (1648–1649), led by the Gaon Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel of Nemirov]].</ref> — but I prefer Mezhybizh, because it sits beside a river and I will have an abundance of fish for [[Shabbos]]."<ref>In the name of R' Yosef of Mezhybizh, a great-great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov through the Degel Machaneh Ephraim, a different version is told, connected to the construction of a new beis midrash in place of the old one by the government rabbi and community patron R' Berish Bilayois; a heavenly accusation arose against the town, R' Berish fell gravely ill, and the Baal Shem Tov came to heal him — and to nullify the accusation he settled in the town and established himself in the old beis midrash. See at length in the book ''Ir Mivtzar''.</ref>
+The Baal Shem Tov heard the offer and agreed, saying: "I could have settled in [[Nemirov]]<ref>A large and important city.</ref> — where many Jews were martyred for the sanctification of G‑d's name<ref>During the Chmielnicki massacres of 5408–5409 (1648–1649), led by the Gaon Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel of Nemirov]].</ref> — but I prefer Mezhybizh, because it sits beside a river and I will have an abundance of fish for [[Shabbos]]."<ref>In the name of R' Yosef of Mezhybizh, a great-great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov through the [[Degel Machaneh Ephraim]], a different version is told, connected to the construction of a new beis midrash in place of the old one by the government rabbi and community patron R' Berish Bilayois; a heavenly accusation arose against the town, R' Berish fell gravely ill, and the Baal Shem Tov came to heal him — and to nullify the accusation he settled in the town and established himself in the old beis midrash. See at length in the book ''Ir Mivtzar''.</ref>
 That same year,<ref>Several versions exist for the precise year of his settlement, but the figure recorded in contemporary documents is 5500 (1740).</ref> the Baal Shem Tov settled in Mezhybizh together with his daughter Marat [[Adel]], his son-in-law Rabbi [[Yechiel Michel Ashkenazi]],<ref>Their children, born in Mezhybizh over the years, included R' Moshe Chaim Ephraim — author of the [[Degel Machaneh Ephraim]] — R' [[Baruch of Mezhybizh]], and their daughter Feiga, mother of R' [[Nachman of Breslov]].</ref> his secretary R' [[Tzvi the Scribe]], and his devoted disciple R' [[Zev Volf Kitzes]]. According to the town's records, he received, in his capacity as a doctor and ''baal shem'' (a healer who worked with holy names), a rent-free apartment beside the old beis midrash where he prayed, together with complete exemption from taxes.
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 Around 5547 (1787), R' [[Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov]] — author of the [[Degel Machaneh Ephraim]] and a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, who had been born and raised in Mezhybizh — returned to the town and served there as rabbi and maggid (preacher). He was deeply beloved by the community.
-Because he did not hold the position of Rebbe (Chassidic master), no formal Chassidic court formed around him, and his leadership remained local. Mezhybizh did not recover its former centrality.
+Because he did not hold the position of Rebbe — Chassidic master — no formal Chassidic court formed around him, and his leadership remained local. Mezhybizh did not recover its former centrality.
 R' Ephraim passed away on 17 Iyar 5560 (1800).
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ==The Era of the Ohev Yisrael and His Descendants==
-After R' Baruch's passing, the community turned to the [[Rebbe]] R' [[Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apt]] — known as the '''Ohev Yisrael''' ("Lover of Israel"), after the title of his celebrated work — who was then residing in the city of [[Iași (Jassy)|Jassy]], and invited him to serve as their rabbi.<ref>The Ohev Yisrael's relationship with Chabad Chassidus was somewhat strained.</ref> He accepted,<ref>It is told that upon arriving in the town he noticed that the community members appeared somewhat downcast, and he understood they feared he would not live long due to his advanced age. He said to them: "I promise you that I will serve here as rabbi for exactly thirteen years — just as the Degel Machaneh Ephraim did." And so it was.</ref> and led the community for thirteen years before his passing in 5585 (1825).<ref>The article's source gives the year as 5545 (1785), which appears to be a typographic error; the Ohev Yisrael is recorded in other sources as passing in 5585 (1825).</ref>
+After R' Baruch's passing, the community turned to the [[Rebbe]] R' [[Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apt]] — known as the '''Ohev Yisrael''' ("Lover of Israel"), after the title of his celebrated work — who was then residing in the city of [[Iași|Jassy]], and invited him to serve as their rabbi.<ref>The Ohev Yisrael's relationship with Chabad Chassidus was somewhat strained.</ref> He accepted,<ref>It is told that upon arriving in the town he noticed that the community members appeared somewhat downcast, and he understood they feared he would not live long due to his advanced age. He said to them: "I promise you that I will serve here as rabbi for exactly thirteen years — just as the Degel Machaneh Ephraim did." And so it was.</ref> and led the community for thirteen years before his passing in 5585 (1825).
 His son R' Yitzchak-Meir led the community in Zinkov, near Mezhybizh. R' Yitzchak-Meir's grandson, the Rebbe R' Avraham Yehoshua Heschel,<ref>Son-in-law of R' [[Shalom Yosef Friedman]] of [[Sadigura|Sadigorer Chassidus]].</ref> returned to Mezhybizh and established his own Chassidic court there. He passed away in 5648 (1888). His son R' Shalom Yosef Yisrael succeeded him, followed by R' Shalom Yosef Yisrael's eldest son, R' Avraham Yehoshua of Mezhybizh, who after a time relocated to [[Ternopil]] and established his court there. R' Avraham Yehoshua's brother, the Rebbe R' Yitzchak Meir Heschel of Mezhybizh, then led the community, with their mother the Rebbetzin Bas Sheva remaining in the town as well. He purchased his ancestor the Ohev Yisrael's beis midrash from his cousins, and courageously defended the synagogue against government seizure. When the authorities ultimately ordered all Jews to vacate the building, R' Yitzchak Meir transferred his leadership to Odessa, operating under difficult conditions. He eventually emigrated to the Holy Land and established his beis midrash, called "Ohev Yisrael," in Haifa.
@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 In Menachem Av 5701 (August 1941), the Russian army withdrew from Mezhybizh and German forces occupied the town. Ukrainian nationalists immediately began attacking the Jewish population, and the Baal Shem Tov's beis midrash was destroyed to its foundations. The beis midrash standing today is a reconstruction of the original.
+[[File:בית כנסת הבעל שם טוב במז'יבוז'.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The reconstructed synagogue of the Baal Shem Tov in Mezhybizh (Menachem Av 5771 / 2011)]]
 For thirteen months, the Jews of Mezhybizh endured unimaginable suffering. They were confined to a ghetto surrounded by high, tangled barbed wire, with fifteen to twenty people crowded into a single room. The town's young men were sent to forced labor, and many perished.
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 [[Category:Ukraine]]
 [[Category:History of Chassidus]]
-[[Category: Baal Shem Tov]]
+[[Category:Baal Shem Tov]]