Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)
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Chernobyl is a Chassidic dynasty that was founded by the Rebbe Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl. It originated in the Ukrainian town of Chernobyl (of nuclear accident fame).
The first Rebbe was a student of the Baal Shem Tov and his pupil the Maggid of Mezritch. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Chassidic movement. His book Me'or Einayim (literally "Light of One's Eyes), comprising insights on the weekly portions of the Torah, reflects his proclivity to Kabbalah. It has gained widespread acceptance as one of the major works of chassidic ideology.
The first Rebbe was succeeded by his son Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl. Throughout his life Rabbi Mordechai collected large amounts of money for charity, but before his death he regretted not collecting even more than he did. His thoughts, sermons and discourses were published in his book Likutei Torah, which was praised for its holiness by other Chassidic leaders. Throughout his teachings R' Mordechai stressed the importance of pure speech and pure thought as a condition for a proper prayer connection. He also spoke of including all of the souls of Yisrael in one's prayer, even evil people. By doing so, evil people will stand a better chance of repenting (teshuvah).
Rebbe Mordechai of Chernobyl was succeeded by his son Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl, as his succesor in Chernobyl. All of Rebbe Mordechai's sons became Grand Rebbes in different cities.
The Chernobyl Dynasty Includes the following Rebbes: the Rebbes of Chernobyl, Tcherkass, Trisk, Tolna, Korestchov, Makarov, Skver, Rachmastrivka, Malin, Hornosteipl, Machnavka, Azarnetz, and several others.
Chernobyl Chassidism as a movement survived the ravages of the Holocaust, although many of its members perished. There are many scions of the Chernobyl Dynasty alive today. Generally, anyone with the last name Twersky (also spelled twerski) is likely to be a descendant of the Chernobyl dynasty.
Among the famous scions of the Chernobyl dynasty are:
- Grand Rabbi David Twersky, Skverer Rebbe of New Square, NY - The largest Hasidic sect coming from Chernobyl today is Skver, which is based today in the New York State town of New Square under the leadership of the Rebbe of the related Skverer Chassidic dynasty;
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Twersky, ZT"L, the Chernobyler Rebbe of Boro Park;
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- Rabbi Shlomo Twersky, son of Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Twersky (the last Chernobyler Rebbe to actually serve in Chernobyl), Rabbi of "Beis Chernobyl" in Lawrence, New York;
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- Rabbi Zvi Twersky - Rosh Mesivta of Yeshivas Mercaz Hatorah in Talpiot, Jerusalem, son of Rabbi Shlomo Twersky of Lawrence, NY;
- Rabbi Yeshaya Twersky, The Chernobyler Rebbe of Boro Park;
- The Chernobyler Rebbe of Bnei Brak;
- The Chernobyler Rebbe of Ashdod;
- Rabbi Chaim Twersky, Chernoblyer Rav; formerly Rabbi of Maimonides Hospital Brooklyn New York;
- Grand Rabbi Michael Twersky, the Hornesteipler Rebbe of Milwaukee;
- Grand Rabbi Mordechai Twersky, the Hornesteipler-Denver Rebbe of Flatbush;
- Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, noted author and psychiatrist;
- Mr. Shlomo Twerski, Esq., son of Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski - tax Partner in the law firm of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.
- Rabbi Aaron Twerski, Esq., Dean of Hofstra Law School;
- Rabbi Dovid Twersky, The Rachmastrivka Rebbe of Jerusalem;
- Rabbi Chai Yitzchok Twersky, The Rachmastrivka Rebbe of Boro Park;
- Rabbi Weinberg The Tolner Rebbe of Jerusalem;
- Rabbi Amitai Twersky The Tolner Rebbe of Ashdod ;
- Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Eichenstien The Trisker Rebbe of Jerusalem;
- The Trisker Rebbe of London;
- Grand Rabbi Michel Twersky, the Skwerer Rebbe of Boro Park;
- Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky (Professor Isadore Twersky) ZT"L, the Tolner Rebbe of Boston and a professor and head of the Judaic Studies Department at Harvard University;
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- Rabbi Mayer Twersky, son of Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky of Boston, Rosh Yeshiva of Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University;
- Rabbi Moshe Twersky, son of Rabbi Yitzhak Twersky of Boston, Rosh Mesivta of Yeshivas Toras Moshe in Jerusalem, Israel.
- Grand Rabbi Yitzhak Aharon Korff, grandson of Rebbe Yaakov Yisroel Korff, Zvhil–Mezbuz Rebbe of Boston.
