Toldot Aharon on the way to the Kotel

Going towards Jaffa Gate in order to get down to the Kotel (Western Wall). Toldot Aharon or Toldot Avraham Yitzchak on Chol Ha'Moed Pessach.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe in Boro Park and Rabbi Shmuel Pappenheim attacked in Beit Shemesh

B"H

The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn visiting Boro Park / New York:

All photos HERE !

One commentator noticed that the location where the Tish is taking place is a wedding hall of Chassidut Bobov.

Whereas Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn is visiting New York, his younger brother, the Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn, is being confronted with serious problems. The celebrity of Toldot Aharon, Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Pappenheim, got attacked by his own people last Erev Shabbat. Pappenheim entered the Toldot Aharon Synagogue of Beit Shemesh and was asked to leave by a group of "extremists". However, he refused and it all ended up in beating Shmuel Pappenheim. 

Last night, the Toldot Aharon Rebbe wanted to make a decision and obviously punish those Chassidim who beat Pappenheim. They are apparently not allowed to join community activities for a couple of months.

The reason for Pappenheim being attacked was an interview he gave to the left - wing paper "HAARETZ":

Yet winds of change are blowing even among the most fanatic camp. Once, former Eda Haredit spokesman Shmuel Pappenheim was frequently dispatched to represent the official, extreme anti-Zionist line and to defend his sect, Toldot Aharon. But Pappenheim, a Beit Shemesh resident, recently came out of the closet as a sworn reformist: He is studying for a degree at Bar-Ilan University and heads an office encouraging ultra-Orthodox employment in Beit Shemesh, on top of his other public activities. 

Pappenheim thinks that in the ultra-Orthodox's clash with outsiders, the extremists on both sides are failing to see the powerful processes underway in the ultra-Orthodox mainstream: The ultra-Orthodox are irreversibly opening up, he believes. 

 "This week I spoke before a Scout troop in Jerusalem, alongside a representative of Yisrael Hofshit [Be Free Israel, an organization that works to advance religious freedom and other democratic values], who denounced ultra-Orthodox extremism," says Pappenheim. "I told her she was missing the entire point. Israel's ultra-Orthodox public has begun to understand that it needs to take its fate into its hands. There are thousands of ultra-Orthodox in the army, in academia, in the free professions. Are they telling us we're in a religious war? On the contrary. The religious public is heading toward something great, and the rabbis' attempts to stop this are like the rooster running in circles after being beheaded.

"The Sicarii are acting out of frustration, not ideology, he says. "They see society around them progressing and are frustrated. They do not really think; they just act violently for the sake of causing action and chaos.

"Pappenheim believes the rabbis' attempts to turn back time are destined to fail. "I'm not seeing any students dropping out of ultra-Orthdox colleges" due to Rabbi Elyashiv's letter, he says. "That isn't going to help anymore. Maybe this is the rabbis' job, to try to stop the flow so that 16-year-old boys know their only aim in life is to study Torah, but this process is reality."

Pappenheim himself is being smeared by wall posters declaring, "Greeks have ganged up on us!" and draws condemnations from his extremist neighbors, but as the son of an aristocratic Toldot Aharon family, he retains access to the top. 

"A married yeshiva student from Toldot Avraham Hasidut is serving in Shahar [a prestigious Israel Defense Forces technology program for married yeshiva students]. Things are happening. I told my rebbe and he asked: 'What? Do you think our married yeshiva students will also be there?' I said it could happen. He said, 'Such a thing should not come to us,' and I told him that while his role may be to prevent it, this is the process. We need to understand this and not shut our eyes. He knows this well. A month ago President [Shimon] Peres visited [Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's daughter] Adina Bar-Shalom's ultra-Orthodox college in Jerusalem. In the first row were three married yeshiva students from Toldot Aharon.

"Conflicting changes Pappenheim's remarks show that the discussion about "growing ultra-Orthdox extremism" ignores the fact that this sector, like the national religious sector, is going through conflicting processes. The public at large is now noticing the modesty revolution, which includes the segregated buses, the "Taliban" women in black cloaks, the gender segregation at the health clinics in Beit Shemesh and the advertising companies' reluctance to post outdoor ads with pictures of women in Jerusalem, but it has been going on for years.

Please find the entire HAARETZ article HERE !

No peace between Toldot Aharon and Toldot Avraham Yitzchak

B”H  

The haredi site “Kikar Shabbat” is reporting about another hostile incident between the Toldot Aharon and its split – off, the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak.  Tonight,  Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn is marrying off his granddaughter to a grandson of Rabbi Me’ir Brandsdorfer z”l. Rabbi Aharon Samet, a leading member of the Toldot Aharon, came to the wedding but got attacked. Before the Chuppah was taking place, Samet was told to leave the event. Despite the incident, the Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn participated in the Simche and was dancing. 

I got hold of countless material from Toldot Aharon and the Edah Charedit but it takes time writing about it. Fortunately, I bought the Rebbe Aharon Roth book “Shomer Emunim”. My little “treasure” is an anonymous booklet from the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak how their Rebbe got cheated and how leading Toldot Aharon members forged the will of the former Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn (the father of Shmuel Yaakov and David Kahn). Maybe anyone has an idea where I can buy the Toldot Aharon booklet on the will of their former Rebbe claiming that no one was forging anything.

"Avinu ba'Shamayim" in Toldot Avraham Yitzchak

B"H

There doesn't exist a chassidic Tish in Toldot Aharon or Toldot Avraham Yitzchak without "Avinu ba'Shamayim" being sung.

Lag Ba'Omer 5771 / 2011 in Dushinsky, Edah HaCharedit, Karlin - Pinsk, Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and Zhvil

The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn lighting his bonfire in Mea Shearim / Jerusalem.

The Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn (the younger brother of the TAY Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn) lighting his bonfire in Mea Shearim / Jerusalem.

All photos from Dushinsky, the Edah, Karlin - Pinsk or Zhvil HERE !

Chasene Nadvorna - Toldot Aharon in Bnei Brak

B"H

A Nadvorna - Toldot Aharon wedding at Kiryat Nadvorna in Bnei Brak. Unfortunately, the article doesn't say whether the bride is Toldot Aharon or the Chatan. To me it looks as if a child or grandchild of a brother of the Toldot Aharon and Toldot Avraham Yitzchak got married. "Chadrei HaCharedim" has published great photos and a video:

http://www.bhol.co.il/Article.aspx?id=23352

However, when you look at the video from minute 9,27 - 9,36, you can see the Nadvorna Rebbe's coat (Kaftan) moving to the side and showing the Rebbe's underwear and knees. Has the person taking the video not paid attention

and, at least, cut it out ?

The Chatan is sitting in the middle. The Nadvorna Rebbe to the right and, look who is sitting on the left: The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn. 

The Nadvorna Rebbe, the Toldot Aharon Rebbe and Rabbi Wosner (Bnei Brak), who is somehow related to the Toldot Aharon Rebbe, was there too.

Shabbat Shalom

 

This Toldot Aharon or Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Chassid had his own private meal in a little Israeli fast food store at the Central Bus Station in Tiberias. A private moment only for himself. 

Many Chassidim from strict dynasties go a little more relaxed when they visit or move to Tiberias. The Rebbes are far away and so is the modesty police.:-)

A relaxed Shabbat to all readers.

"Shabbat Shalom - Good schabbes !"

Toldot Aharon Rebbe with Amshinov

B"H


The previous Toldot Aharon Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn (died in December 1996) with the Amshinover Rebbe. Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak was the father of Rebbe David Kahn (today's Toldot Aharon Rebbe) as well as of Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn (today's Toldot Aharon Yitzchak Rebbe)

Source: Rebbe Clips

Larry Gordon on his interview with the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe

B"H

This radio interview with Larry Gordon (Five Towns Jewish Times) was broadcasted at the end of November. I just listened to it now and found it quite interesting.

Interesting in this respect because it is always a kind of strange when Jews in the Diaspora discuss issues totally connected to Israel.

Anyway, I have two comments on the matter:

First of all, Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak is not a member of the Neturei Karta. The TAY are a member of the anti - Zionist umbrella organization "Edah HaCharedit" in Mea Shearim. The Edah consist of groups such as the Toldot Aharon, Spinka, Dushinsky, a group of followers of the Vilna Gaon, some parts of Breslov, the Mishkenot HaRoim or Satmar. The Neturei Karta is no official members of the Edah but, according to different statements, does have some influence through Satmar. However, I cannot say how far this kind of influence goes. Apparently only various high - ranking Edah Rabbis are able to do that.

The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn had an anti - Zionist upbringing by his grandfather (the Shomrei Emunim / Toldot Aharon founder Rebbe Aharon Roth, as well as by his father, the previous Toldot Aharon Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn).

The TAY Rebbe was not ONLY kicked out of the Toldot Aharon because he studied with Vishnitz in Bnei Brak. There are many reasons why the majority of the Toldot Aharon members rejected him and chose his younger brother, Rabbi David Kahn (who, by the way, studied with Satmar in New York). Of course, there was power involved. A Rebbe has power (and money) and who does not want to be the next Rebbe ?

Furthermore, many Toldot Aharon members had the feeling that Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov would change certain Takanot or ideologies of the group itself. Those members were not prepared to accept any changes and were looking for a new Rebbe keeping the old traditions.

Another point was that obviously, according to Toldot Avraham Yitzchak sources ("Nes Lehitnosses"), a few leading Toldot Aharon Rabbis (Gabbai) started an entire personal war against Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov in order to save their positions.

In the end, many reasons seemed to have come together and the majority of the Toldot Aharon members voted for Rabbi David Kahn as the new Rebbe. Thus, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov left and founded his own group.

You can listen to the interview with Larry Gordon HERE !
Move the cursor to minute 24 and listen until minute 46.
Then continue with minute 55 to the end.
Otherwise the interview is acompanied / interrupted by commercials and some further news.

Gordon's interview with the TAY Rebbe has caused lots of criticism because Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov was quoted saying that the only problem he has with the present State of Israel is that people do not keep Shabbat. This, on the other hand, caused anti - Zionists to go berserk. Later on, the TAY Rebbitzen denied that her husband did not state such an opinion.

First Chapter: "Kedusha veZniut" by Rabbi Daniel Frish

B"H

The first chapter of Rabbi Daniel Frish's book "Kedusha ve'Zniut - Holiness and Modesty" mainly deals with the commandment to get married and have children. A male has to get married in order to fulfill the first Torah commandment "Be fruitful and multiply". Those who do not marry at a certain age and, instead, waste their semen (zera), cause the Shechinah (G - d's presence) to move further away from the Jews.

A man without a wife is not called MAN.

It says in the kabbalistic Zohar that a man not fulfilling the commandment "Be fruitful and multiply" causes the Shechinah to move away from the earth. Meaning, the further G - d's presence is moving away, the more our planet is vulnerable to catastrophes such as earthquakes, Tsunamis, wars, etc.

The Mitzvah for a man to "Be fruitful and multiply" does not only apply to Jews but also to Gentiles and even to animals. The Shechinah (G - d's presence) only spreads through Neshamot (souls) which were created in the upper spiritual worlds (Beriah). Those Neshamot are being send down in a human body into our physical world. When a man does not have children, he does bring down those Neshamot into our material world (Asiah). Rabbi Frish's commentary on this subject is quite threatening because he sees a man without children on a lower level than a kosher animal. It goes without saying that there are men in this world who are unable to have children (due to various medical reasons) and those people are exempt from the Mitzvah.

Through having children, man is like G - d because he creates a new human being. The world is not only for enjoying oneself and sleep, eat and drink. Following a materialistic lifestyle is selfish and humankind was created to listen and follow its creator.

When a man is getting married, he causes the Ge'ulah (redemption) to come closer, as it says in Talmud Yevamot 62b: "There won't be a (Meshiach) ben David until all created Neshamot will be / have been brought into this world".

Singles only have half of the body because they are not complete (with their soul mate).

_________________________

This all sounds very frightening but, nevertheless, as humans, we run against all kinds of laws and commandments. In the Jewish religious world it is more than common that people get married at a young age. Haredim sometimes even earlier than national religious Jews.

I have nothing against a marriage but one has to find the right match. I am not just running around in order to catch someone and have children in order to fulfill the Mitzvah (although the Mitzvah applies to men only). The older you get, the higher your expectations of a future spouse. When you are young, well, what do you want ? Maybe someone studying Torah or men dream of an "Eshet Chayil - Righteous Woman".

It is not that easy to fulfill this Mitzvah; especially when you did not get married as a teenager. But even if, divorce is always possible.

I may have this Hollywood mentality with love and things but in my eyes, a marriage has to be a successful one and then you think of children. My parents were divorced and I know how it is growing up in a home falling apart. So, I think twice and even three times before I ever get married

Does the Mitzvah "Be fruitfull and multiply" above happiness and love ? Maybe the Toldot Aharon (and later Toldot Avraham Yitzchak) Rabbi Daniel Frish may have thought this way. In his circles, people, of course, do not give too much about love but more about a common goal. You get used to each other and build a family. You have children and they make your life.

Nevertheless, when I read all his opinions and even the definitions in the Talmud, my "selfishness" is coming out and telling me about LOVE. And, like Hollywood, I do believe in it.

Rabbi Daniel Frish and his book "Kedusha and Zniut"

B"H

Rabbi Daniel Frish used to be a Toldot Aharon Chassid before he split off together with the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn. Rabbi Frish was, what we would call, more than extreme and many Toldot Aharon Chassidim were wondering why he went to the more "open" group of Avraham Yitzchak. Rabbi Frish responded that before the previous Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn (the father of the two present TA and TAY Rebbes) passed away, he had promised him to take care of his older son Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov.

Many people are asking for the Toldot Aharon Takanot and some of them, actually the very first ones by Rebbe Aharon Roth, were published in one of the books of the Toldot Aharon. However, the entire Takanot book remains closed to the wider public.

Furthermore people wonder how the strict Toldot Aharon Takanot for a marriage, modesty and intimate relations look like. A "secret" book young couples receive shortly before they get married.

This modesty book should also not be such a secret. I assume that it is the modesty book written by Rabbi Daniel Frish "Kedusha veZniut - Holiness and Modesty". Among others, Rabbi Frish wrote in his book about the male Mitzvah of "being fruitful and multiply",  about the fight against the Yetzer, the time of intimate relations between husband and wife, how a person should behave in bed, about women's modesty and clothing and about Shidduchim (blind dates).

The Rabbi's views sound very extreme to the outside world but consider that those rules were basically written for the Toldot Aharon and they, on the other hand, consider themselves as someone special and thus on a higher level.

Rebbe Aharon Roth (Rata)

B"H

A detailed description of the Toldot Aharon and their ideology.
Some English words look a little odd and seem to be abbreviations.

http://www.2all.co.il/Web/Sites/shomreybrit/PAGE14.asp

The Celebrations start

B"H

Walking through Mea Shearim last night was more than interesting. First of all, I noticed the new Toldot Aharon Synagogue right next to their old one. The new building looks really posh I have to say. It is also supposed to be bigger, as, within the past years, the group grew. The Toldot Aharon are quite popular among Baalei Teshuva (born Jews who become religious later on in their lives). For whatever reason, many newly religious prefer looking for something extreme and join, for instance, the Toldot Aharon or Satmar.

Furthermore, the group grew within itself. Married couples have plenty of children. Due to their growth, the Toldot Aharon needed a larger Synagogue and here it is. As it looks at the moment, it may be ready or almost ready soon.

Turning into Mea Shearim Street, I noticed that again, the street is divided. The Edah HaCharedit is arranging the Mechitzah every Sukkot. At the local celebrations on Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days), the street is officially divided into genders every night. When you enter from Shivtei Israel Street, men walk on the right and women on the left side. The women's side is separated through a metal fence covered with white plastic which, from far away, looks like sheets.

Right in front of the Great Breslover Synagogue (across the Toldot Aharon), the Toldot Aharon set up a "modesty bridge". Just as they did last year but this time the bridge has covered side parts also looking like hanging sheets. However, it is the same white plastic covering the fence.

When you are female and planning to go to the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak on Chol HaMoed, you cannot pass the street in front of Breslov but have to walk around; either through the market or around the market - hence, in front of the Slonim building entering Avraham Yitzchak from the back.

Almost the same took place last year and I heard a rumour spreading that the Toldot Aharon set up the bridge on purpose. Women walk through the bridge - on the bottom and men walk over the top. However, women have to keep on going on Mea Shearim Street and only men are allowed to make the turn into the street in front of Breslov (leading into the Mea Shearim market).

Last year it was said that the Toldot Aharon started the whole bridge issue last year because they wanted to avoid that too many people go over to the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. Call it a kind of competition or even "revenge".

But I have to admit that I don't know for sure if this rumour was true !

In general, it looks like Mea Shearim is getting more and more extreme. Modesty signs almost everywhere and many shops only let in customers dressed modestly. Pashkevilim (news posters) warn against immodest behaviour during Sukkot, as celebrating too much would lead to loose one's common sense. I expect that soon the Edah will not allow Christians walking around in the area. Thousands of Christians are in Jerusalem at the moment, as they are having a special parade this Tuesday. Many of them may walk around downtown and may come to Mea Shearim in order to missionize, as it happened in the past.

And, by the way, Christians have nothing to do at haredi celebrations anyway.

How about several Rebbes ?

B"H

After the Lelover Rebbe passed away on Yom Kippur, the group is considering to have three Admorim (Rebbes) taking over leadership. If this should really be the case, I regard the decision as very positive and other chassidic groups should take Lelov as an example. Instead of fighting after a chassidic Rebbe dies, the sons should find a solution everyone can live with. A common decision not destroying the group.

Unfortunately, a split has occured in many chassidic groups lately. Just mentioning Satmar, Toldot Aharon, Bobov or Vishnitz (Bnei Brak).

I once wrote about the argument that there actually is something positive in a group's split. This way members who wouldn't agree to the new Rebbe have the chance to follow the split - off. Lets look at the Toldot Aharon. When they split after Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn passed away 13 years ago, those Chassidim who wanted to be more "modern" joined the split - off Toldot Avraham Yitzchak under the leadership of Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn. Today, many conservative Chassidim such as the strict followers of the Chatam Sofer consider the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak as "having left the way". Meaning that the group became too modern. At least compared to the Toldot Aharon standards.

In Avraham Yitzchak, for instance, members are not forced signing the Takanot (internal laws). What I also noticed is that there are women who do not shave their hair entirely but keep it longer under the head cover. Furthermore, Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov met with the Belzer Chassid Israel Eichler some years ago. Satmar got very upset about the meeting and complained that "Reb Yankele has caused Satmar great pain".

Chassidut Belz left the "Edah HaCharedit" in the early 80ies and is considered as a traitor by many Edah groups. We also see this in the two different existing Hechsherim (kosher certificates). Belz does not eat anything with the Hechsher of the Edah HaCharedit and vice versa. Call it "political" or "revenge" but it does exist.

Every group member is still an individual and sometimes, although born into the group, does not always fit in. Thus a split is giving those members a new opportunity starting something new.

This would be the best argument in favour of splitting a chassidic group.

However, I still think that Lelov is a great example in showing that several chassidic leaders are able to work together and not only against each other.

The age of the two Kahn (Rebbe) Brothers

B"H

Someone asked me how old the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe is and I don't find the comment anymore.

So, I am giving the answer separately:

Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn from the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak

Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn, the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe, is about two years older than his brother Rebbe David Kahn from the Toldot Aharon.

Rebbe David Kahn from the Toldot Aharon

Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov should be about 67 years old and his brother 65 years old.
Actually Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov looks older but he is not that old. The same with his brother Rebbe David. When I look at pictures of him showing him very close, he does look older than he really is. However, he moves fast. Full of enthusiasm when he enters his Tish.

Amshinov & Toldot Aharon

B"H

A rare video was published here

http://www.haredim.co.il/ViewArticleSurfers.aspx?itmID=1816

showing the Amshinover Rebbe with the previous Toldot Aharon Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn. Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak was the father of the present Toldot Aharon as well of the present Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe.

Looking for Author of an "Anti - Toldot Aharon" Book

B"H

By accident, if there are accidents in this world, I found an interesting book describing the split of the Toldot Aharon after their previous Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kahn, passed away. About 13 years ago.

There is no author mentioned and the editor is as follows:

3219 Yoonge St. Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario
M4N - 2L3
Canada

Furthermore, there is a phone and fax number.

The book is called:

ספר נס להתנוסס

Basically the small book with only about 81 pages is showing the will of Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak Kahn and trying to prove that certain people (the names are mentioned in the book) of the Toldot Aharon had a special interest in appointing the present Rebbe, Rabbi David Kahn, as the new Toldot Aharon Rebbe.

These people were "doing their best" in trying to influence the old weak Rebbe but the Rebbe himself didn't give in and wanted his oldest son, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kahn, as his successor. Therefore, these particular people were forging the will of Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak.

In fact, there are handwritten pages from the will showing crossed out sentences being replaced by new contents. The author of the book claims that the opponents of Rebbe David Kahn are the true followers of Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak and want to bring about justice. Furthermore, they sent the pages of the will to several handwriting consultants and those consultants proved that the additions made in the will are fakes. Not written by Rebbe Avraham Yitzchak but by strangers.

I would like to get in touch with the author of this book and keep it confidential. My intention is only to ask him a few questions, as some facts he is giving are contradictory. And why should all this be of such a great interest today, as the majority of the Toldot Aharon members voted for Rabbi David Kahn as their new Rebbe ?

I suppose that someone from the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak may be the author and if he is willing to answer some brief questions, I would be glad.

miriamwoelke@gmail.com

As I said, I would keep it strictly confidential !

Picture of the Day

Haredi protest in Jerusalem

A Toldot Aharon (or Toldot Avraham Yitzchak) Chassid is escaping from the "Zionist" police.

No Gentile Hair in Jewish Wigs

B"H

The main litvishe Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv and the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi and present spiritual leader of the Sephardi - haredi SHASS party, Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, are against married women (including divorcees and widows) wearing wigs. The two Rabbis simply don't like the Sheitel (wig) and now they made a new decree where a wig worn by a Jewish woman should not include Gentile hair.

The hair covering by Sheitels has been causing countless discussions and disputes. Chassidut Breslov chose the easiest way out: Their women simply don't wear wigs at all.

Rabbi Eliyashiv and Rabbi Yosef also claimed that women shaving their hair off are totally wrong. It shouldn't be this way.
However, what kind of chassidic women are still shaving off their hair today ? The Toldot Aharon have it in their Takanot and in their group it is a MUST. The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak see the issue a little less important, and I myself saw a few Avraham Yitzchak women with hair under their Shabbat hair cover. You can see it well when it is dark but some light shines into a room.
Furthermore, some followers of the Chatam Sofer shave it off but who else ? Women belonging to bigger groups such as Belz, Vishnitz or Satmar wear a wig (with a white "Tichel" on Shabbat).

The Toldot Aharon are famous for showing hatred against wig stores in the Mea Shearim - Ge'ulah neighbourhood and some stores were even burned down in the past. I am not accusing the Toldot Aharon in particular but whoever carries such a wig hatred inside of himself apparently did it.

Another issue is Gentile hair (mostly wigs Made in India) in Jewish wigs. Have the Indians done any idol worship with the hair before they manufactured it ?
At many places such wigs are banned and now the two famous Rabbis followed suit.

Purim in Mea Shearim

View over Jerusalem from the roof of the Ruzhin - Boyan Synagogue

B"H

Whereas other places had already stopped celebrating Purim, Jerusalem is adding a second day called "Shushan Purim". Usually Mea Shearim has huge celebrations including chassidic Tishes with all the Rebbes. All places are open what many outsiders don't know. And my friend and I were lucky, as not too many Israeli tourists ran to the Tishes as on Sukkot. The streets were not divided and everyone was able to manage; men and women.

The Tishes started at sunset and our first stop were the Toldot Aharon where it was packed as usual. However, we were able to climb up one of the metal benches and get a glimpse at Rebbe David Kahn and his Chassidim. Usually the Rebbe is very serious and organized but last Shushan Purim was the first time I saw him looking a little different. His Peyes (side curls) were almost upside down and he looked as if he hadn't slept the whole night.

We already wanted to leave as a younger Toldot Aharon woman came up to me and said that she had noticed me many times at the Tishes. According to her words, she noticed everything going on and I told her that she can ask whatever she wants. No, she didn't want to ask anything but kept on saying that obviously I am curious about the group. In a positive way.
As she used the expression "curious" over and over, I told her that I am also writing on the Internet about chassidic groups. Who my readers would be, she asked.
Haredim, secular, Gentiles, whatever, I responded.
This was the end of our conversation and she just left.
The situation was just strange to me because when you come up to someone you ask questions but my friend claimed that we don't really fit into any category. We regularly come to the Tishes but are neither seminary girls nor anything haredi or whatever. Actually we don't belong to any group and don't intend to join one of them.

Whoever has an idea why the woman came up to ask is welcomed to write a comment !

Anyway, our next stop were the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak not too far away. The other Kahn brother, Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov, still looked pretty quiet and ate. His choir / band was a slightly out of tune but maybe it got better later on.


The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak







Next stop: The Neturei Karta.
The Neturei Karta has a beautiful Synagogue but there wasn't a real Purim celebration. Instead a few drunk guys were running up and down on a table.

The Neturei Karta Synagogue in Mea Shearim





Next stop: The Mishkenot HaRoim
The best band; swinging and really loud but full of joy.
Rebbe Chaim Rabinovitch was sitting in the middle and people could come up and talk to him.

The Mishkenot HaRoim with Rebbe Chaim Rabinovitch









Next stop: Stropkov
All women there were glued onto the Mechitzah (separation between men and women), and there was no way of pushing ourselves through. So we left and went to the Shomrei Emunim.
The Shomrei Emuni had a pleasant surprise, as they had set up a bigger screen on the Ezrat Nashim. Thus, the women were able to watch the Rebbe and his Chassidim closely. The screen was a great idea !

Next stop: Karlin - Stolin
A less pleasant surprise did we experience at Karlin - Stolin, as they had covered the tent where the Chassidim were celebrating outside with curtains. In order to see something, we and some other women went down and stood next to the tent. After a while a Chassid and a Karliner woman came up to us and told us to stand further away.
Further away behind the curtain.

Karlin - Stolin


We left, as we are not "behind a curtain fans" and went to Kretchnif. The Kretchnifer Synagogue was almost empty but we saw the Rebbe dancing which was very nice to see. I love to see him dancing, as he has a very special way of doing so.

Our last stop was Ruzhin - Boyan, and they were the best that night. Hundreds of Chassidim and women upstairs were there and as a special surprise they had a few Chassidim standing on the huge table in the middle, right in front of the Boyaner Rebbe. The Chassidim held up a Chuppah and it looked like a wedding celebration. I asked one of the Boyaner women what was going on and she told me that every time they are thinking about different ways of entertainment.
The dancing, the Rebbe, the Chuppah ceremony, everything was very nice to see and when we left, I was finished and could hardly move my legs anymore.


Modesty sign in the Mea Shearim Market. Customers should only enter the store when they wear modest clothes !
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The pictures were all taken by my friend !