Tish with Chassidut Belz in Jerusalem

B"H

Most Tishes we have been so far were different. In fact, each chassidic Tish and group is different but Belz is even more different. So far, we only went to Tishes in Mea Shearim and two of the groups are members of the anti - Zionist umbrella organization Edah HaCharedit. Except for the Slonim and Kretchnif where we were last.

However, Chassidut Belz is a member of the Agudat Israel whose Knesset party is called Yahadut HaTorah. More than twenty years ago, Belz used to be a member of the Edah but left due to financial reasons. After the Second World War, Belz was a small Chassidut. Most former members they had lost in the Holocaust and it was a miracle that the former Belzer rebbe (the father of the present rebbe) escaped and survived. When Belz left the Edah HaCharedit and joined the Agudah, they needed financial support from the Israeli government. Since, Belz and the Edah have been at war or let's put it this way: They are not best buddies any more.

Personally, I like Belz very much although I also write a lot about the Edah and its members. Since the two rebbes of Toldot Aharon and Toldot Avraham Yitzchak are still on holiday and not too many other Tishes are taking place in Mea Shearim this August, my friend and I went to the Belze Tish.

Chassidut Belz has its own neighbourhood in Jerusalem which is called Kiryat Belz and is located next to Kiryat Mattersdorf. After a more than an hour walk we finally arrived and were facing our usual problem: Finding the women's entrance. The Rebbe's Tish doesn't take place in the synagogue itself but next door in a cellar. We were asking our way through and, this time, also men answered us.
When we walked into the women's section everything was still empty. Downstairs were a few chassidim walking around. The only exciting thing was the air condition and we were very lucky that we brought some coats with us. The Tish was supposed to start at 11pm and only last for two hours. Well, if it had been for longer I definitely would have turned into an ice cube.

Within the next ten minutes, the whole building was packed. Hundreds of chassidim were downstairs and also the women's section became crowded. Suddenly we heard a "Schschsch" and the chassidim were running to their places. Never before I have seen people getting so excited. Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeach was on his way and it was silent. A few minutes later he entered the room through his private entrance. He wore the usual Belz clothes, a Streimel and a long Tallit. The Belzer Rebbe is not too tall but heavy. He stopped in front of the huge table and started praying. I have to say that he is very energetic and charismatic.
Everybody in the room was quiet and minutes later the Rebbe made Kiddush, Netillat Yadaim and then he sat down. The Challot were divided among his chassidim. Names were read from a list and the slices were handed to those people.

Five people were standing next to the Rebbe and helping him with anything. Someone even moved his chair. The helpers were constantly busy and I admired them for their energy. Rebbe Rokeach ate Gefillte Fish, chicken soup, chicken, sweet carrots and rice. The usual Tish food. After he finished eating, he started shaking hands of chassidim and children and said LeChaim to each row where people were sitting. It always makes a positive impression on me when a rebbe is addressing his chassidim personally. What I also liked were the songs they were singing. I can really recommend the Belze Tish and there is only one negative point. It is a little far away and a long walk. However, we will definitely go back.