Skver (Hasidic dynasty)

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Skver (also Skvir or Skwere; Yid.: סקווירא) is a Hasidic group that originated in the Ukrainian city of Skvira. The group is presently led by the Skverer Rebbe, Grand Rabbi David Twersky, a scion of the Chernobyl dynasty, and is headquartered in New Square, New York.

Contents 1 Family Tree 2 History 2.1 Reb Itzikl, founder of the dynasty 2.2 Reb Dovid'l 2.3 Reb Yakov Yosef 2.3.1 Building a Shtetl 2.4 The Present Rebbe 3 Dynasty Lineage 4 Philosophy and lifestyle 5 Important Literature 6 External links 7 See also 8 Bibliography

[edit] Family Tree

Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl (1730-1797), disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch, and author of Me'or Einayim

Rabbi Aaron of Karlin, disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch

Rabbi Dovid Leikes, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov

First Wife

Rabbi Mordechai Twersky, Maggid of Chernobyl

Second Wife

Rabbi Aaron of Chernobyl

Rabbi Moshe of Karustshov

Rabbi Yakov Yisroel of Tcherkas

Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Mekarov

Rabbi Avraham, the Maggid of Turisk

Rabbi Dovid of Tolna

Rabbi Yitzchak of Skvira

Rabbi Yochanan of Rachmestrivka

Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel

Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Shpikov

Rabbi Yisroel

Rabbi Dovid'l (1848-1919)

Rabbi Mordechai Twersky

Rabbi Shlomo Twersky

Rabbi Nachum Twersky

Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky of Kishinev

Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky (1899-1968), Previous Rebbe of Skver and founder of New Square community

Rabbi Mordechai Hager, Rebbe of Viznitz-Monsey

Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky, Rebbe of Rachmestrivka-Boro Park

Rabbi David Twersky (b. 1940), Present Rebbe of Skver and leader of New Square community

[edit] History

The first Rebbe in the town of Skvira was Rabbi Hershele, a direct descendent of the Baal Shem Tov.

[edit] Reb Itzikl, founder of the dynasty

After Reb Hershele's passing on Chol Hamoed Succos 5548 (1748) the townspeople chose Reb Itzikl, the seventh son of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl and Reb Hershele's son-in-law, as Rebbe. Legend has it that Reb Itzik'l was given the honor to lead the Atoh Hareisa prayer on the night of Sh'mini Atzeres, and his prayers moved the towspeople so, that he was immediately chosen to be the next Rebbe.

As a dynasty, Skver is considered a branch of the Chernobyl dynasty, and is therefore seen to have started with Reb Itzik'l, who was one of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl's eight sons.

Unlike his father The Chernobyler Magid, Reb Itzik'l was a reticent sort and did not deliver public discourses as was common to other Hasidic Rebbes. His successors generally did the same. The philosophy of general reticence and understatement in devotional behavior most unique to Skver can be traced to this practice.

Reb Itzikl is known in Hasidic legend as the philozof eloki, or the Godly philosoper. He is said to have studied the works of Maharal extensively. There is evidence that he also studied medieval and pre-medieval works of Jewish philosophy, in departure from the common Hasidic practice to shun philosophical studies of fundamental faith issues.

The Haskalah movement (the Jewish Enlightenment, not to be confused with the more general Age of Enlightenment), was sweeping through Eastern Europe, and Reb Itzikl frequently attempted to debate the Maskilim. A well-known tale has Reb Itzikl engaged in a fierce debate with a Maskil, and won the debate after citing an argument from Sefer Haikarim.

There are no published works by Reb Itzikl himself, although a collection of oral teachings has been published by Skverer chasidim in recent years (name needed. published by Mechon Mishkenos Yakov).

[edit] Reb Dovid'l

Rabbi Itzikl's son Reb Dovid'l succeeded his father. He was known to be an acsetic and exceedingly reticent. He once said, "Men shveigt un men shveigt, dernoch ruet men abisl un men shveigt veiter" ("We keep silent and we keep silent; then we rest a bit, and go on keeping silent").

In 1914 Rabbi Dovid'l left Skvira to Kiev due to the Bolshevik revolution, which left smaller cities and towns unsafe. He stayed in Kiev until his death in 1920. He left no published works.

[edit] Reb Yakov Yosef

Rabbi Dovidl's son, Rabbi Yakov Yosef (1900–1968), was revered as an exceptionally pious man. In 1925 he married Trana, the daughter of Rabbi Pinye of Ustilla and granddaughter of Rabbi Yisucher Dov of Belz. As a young man he lived in Belz and later adopted some of the Belzer customs. A few years later he set up court in Kalarash, Romania, and later in Yas. During World War II he lived in Bucharest.

After the war Rabbi Yakov Yosef came to the U.S. Disappointed with American materialism and decadence, he was immediately overcome by a desire to create a rural community far from the hustle and bustle of New York life. It is said that soon after he arriving on American shores he said to his followers, "If I weren't so embarrassed, I'd turn around and head back immediately."

After spending a few years in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where his home and synagogue became a beacon for many who sought his counsel, he established a community in what was then rural Rockland County, New York, and named it New Square. Establishing the village and its institutions became his life's work. It was the first such shtetl in America, and was later emulated by a number of other groups.

[edit] Building a Shtetl

In 1956, with a handful of followers, Rabbi Yakov Yosef moved to New Square, New York, the first Hasidic Shtetl in America.

[edit] The Present Rebbe

After Reb Yakov Yosef's death in 1968, his son, David Twerski, took over the community's leadership. The community grew to new prominenece under his guidance. Aside from its headquarters in New Square and its branches in New York City, the group maintains institutions in Canada, Europe, and Israel.

[edit] Dynasty Lineage

• Grand Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov — founder of Hasidism.

1. Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl — author of Meor Einayim and Yesamach Lev; disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.
2. Grand Rabbi Mordechai Twersky — also known as the Chernobyler Magid (Preacher of Chernobyl); son of the Meor Einayim; author of Keser Torah.
3. Grand Rabbi Yitzchok (Itzikl) Twersky of Skver — son of the Magid of Chernobyl; son-in-law of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Skver, a direct descendant of the Baal Shem Tov.
4. Grand Rabbi David (Duvid'l) Twersky of Skver (1848-1919)— son of Rebbe Itzik'l.
5. Grand Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Twerski of Skver (1899-1968) — Rebbe of New Square; son of Rebbe Duvid'l; son-in-law of Rebbe Pinchas Twersky of Austelo (1880-1943).
6. Grand Rabbi David Twersky of Skver — present Rebbe of New Square and Grand Rabbi of the Skverer Hasidim (Skver sect) worldwide; son of Rebbe Yaakov Yosef.

There is also a related dynasty Skver Boro Park in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn. It is led by Rabbi Mechel Twersky, Grand Rebbe of Skver-Boro Park; son of the late Rabbi David Twersky, previous Rebbe of Skver-Boro Park, who is a cousin of the Skverer Rebbe.

[edit] Philosophy and lifestyle

Skverer Hasidism stresses Torah study, prayer, and abstention from excessive earthly pleasures in order to achieve purity of heart and mind. To that end, the Village of New Square was established, where residents are sheltered from influences deemed decadent.

A central part of the lifestyle is the attachment to the Rebbe. As with most Hasidic groups today, the Rebbe's position is generally attained through his lineage. However, to be accepted by the masses, the Rebbe is expected to display behaviors such as humility, love for fellow Jews, and general devotion to God's service. The Rebbe, as tzadik or righteous person, is seen as a conduit to God for the masses.

Modes of dress for Skverer hasidim are generally similar to those of other Hasidic groups, especially that of Vizhnitz, Belz, and Klausenberg. Weekday attire for men consists of long coats called rekels and wide-brimmmed, felt hats. On Shabbos (the Sabbath), holidays, and special occasions the men wear long black coats made of silk (or imitation silk made from polyester) called bekishes. Married men also wear fur hats called shtreimels, and knee-high leather boots known as shtievel.

Married women wears wigs, generally with an additional covering over it, such as a hat or kerchief, and wear modest clothing with wrist-length sleeves, fully covered necklines, and stockings.

Although all Haredim and Hasidim stress fealty to established traditions, for Skverer Hasidism it is stressed excessively, and is a cornerstone of their philosophy. (See Talk)

[edit] Important Literature

• Meor Eynayim by the first Rebbe of Chernobyl, Rebbe Menachem Nachum Twersky.
• Toldos Yaakov Yosef, by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Hakohen of Polnoye, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov;
• Ohr ha-Chaim ("the light of life"), by Rabbi Haim Ben-Attar. (Traditionally studied on Friday nights (on the eve of the Sabbath). The book is especially treasured by Skverer hasidim.

[edit] External links

• Videos of the Skverrer Rebbe's visit to Queens, NY, in 2005
• Skverrer Rebbe's visit to LA

[edit] See also

• New Square, New York
• List of Hasidic dynasties
• Skwer (Skver) Boro Park

[edit] Bibliography

• Yachas Chernobyl V'Ruzhin, by David Aaron Twerski of Zurik
• Reb Itzik'l Skverer, by Leibel Surkis, New Square, NY, 1997
• B'kdusha Shel Mahla, Biography of Rabbi Yakov Yosef (Twerski) of Skver, by Mechon Mishkenos Yakov, 2005