Belz & Vishnitz celebrate Rosh Chodesh Tish together

B"H

The Belzer Rebbe is spending his summer vacation in Telshe Stone (outside Jerusalem) where he has a house and a community. However, yesterday he went down to Bnei Brak in order to spend a Rosh Chodesh Tish together with his in - law, the Vishnitzer Rebbe. I think it is Rebbe Israel Hager and not his Rebbe - Brother Menachem Mendel. It is always hard for me to identify the two brothers, as they look similar.

Since the old Vishnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak passed away recently, the two fighting Hager - brothers made a kind of a public peace agreement. At least in public, the two Vishnitzer groups won't fight anymore. I haven't found out more details about the deal but a Vishnitzer Chassid told me that Rebbe Menachem Mendel may have been promised something in order to keep the agreement. However, I have no further details so far.

The Belzer Rebbe to the left and the Vishnitzer Rebbe on the right.

See all pictures HERE !

Simchat Beit HaSho'eva in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke
 

B"H 

Tomorrow (Monday) I am taking a bit off from blogging, as I am going on a trip to Jerusalem. Kotel (Western Wall), Old City, the tour with Yeshivat Ataret Cohanim and how they buy property from Arabs in order to turn it into something Jewish. 

It will be a busy day.:-))) 

Afterwards visitng a Rabbi in his Sukkah and then going with a friend to Mea Shearim where we get the real Sukkot feeling. Most chassidic Rebbes are holding their Simchat Beit HaSho'eva celebrations. The crowd is storming Mea Shearim and I have to see whether the most popular places, the Toldot Aharon as well as the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak, let in outsiders this Sukkot. Because it has been so packed in the years before, different chassidic groups stick to themselves and don't accept any outsiders during the Sukkot celebrations. 

Let us see if the traditional Mechitzah (gender separation) in Mea Shearim Street as well as in the local market also exists this year. The Mechitzah is run by the Toldot Aharon who want to show their stringency. 

I am going to make plenty of photos and put them into the blogs within the next few days. 

MOADIM LE'SIMCHA to everyone !!!

How do I become a member of Chassidut TOLDOT AHARON ?

B"H

When I am in my extreme mood, then I cannot stop loving the extreme. At that moment, I am willing to do anything and I am convincing myself that I just have to nullify my own will. Not being so terribly selfish and individualistic anymore but, instead, start doing something for a team or community.

I am not Ruth Blau ending up in total Mea Shearim attraction but whoever enters Mea Shearim as a newcomer does feel a special fascination. Last Shabbat I had been invited at friends and took a friend of mine with me to the meals. In Batei Hungarin we got the usual lecture against using the Internet (my chassidic hosts called it "Interchet"), against running (Chas veChalilah) over to the national religious and that I should finally make up my whatever religious mind. Afterwards my friend and I walked through the neighbourhood searching for Tishes. The Mishkenot HaRoim were on but the Ezrat Nashim was used by men. The Shomrei Emunim weren't on and we didn't see any singing and shaking Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Synagogue. The only Tish we found was in Chassidut Toldot Aharon.

I have to say that I find the present Ezrat Nashim anything but attractive. The part in the new building I don't like at all. Only TA girls on the second floor squeezing their faces onto the Mechitza. I heard that the adult women are on the thirsd floor but we couldn't find anything. My friend and me were running up and down and the only thing we found were men's toilets near the Ezrat Nashim. 

We left the new building and walked around through the Toldot Aharon backyard. How much I miss this old entrance and the former Ezrat Nashim ! The back part of it is now closed and plenty of women and girls were trying to climb onto the metal benches. We just had a brief glimpse downstairs. Rebbe David Kahn was eating his chicken soup and we started to regret why we hadn't shown up earlier. 

The Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen usually arrives later and thus we didn't see her.

Later on we walked through the Mea Shearim market and I asked my friend whether I would fit into the Toldot Aharon. On condition that I would perfectly behave and dress properly. 

"No", so the fast response of my friend. I would not fit in !

"Why not ? I can behave ?"

"You are too stubborn and not a group person at all. You are too individualistic and won't listen to everything the Rebbe decides !"

This is very true and realistically speaking I couldn't join for more than two weeks. However, I don't think that every Toldot Aharon woman is completely following anything within the group. There must be some individualists like me. Sometimes you even recognize them by the way they dress. Not rebelllious but different. I have seen quite a few women leaving their groups (Gur, Satmar, Litvishe, Chabad or even national religious) but I have never met a woman who left the Toldot Aharon. Nevertheless, once I met a runaway from the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak but this girl may be, more or less, back in the fold.

Next time I am going to the TA Tish, I will still keep on dreaming. Dreaming but suddenly turn into a group person.:-)


Link:

The TOLDOT AHARON PARASHA "Vayechi"

Tish in Toldot Avraham Yitzchak

B"H

There is one problem when Shabbat starts later in the summer: The Shabbat meal begins later and one really has to hurry in order to make Kiddush and eat in order to get to a chassidic Tish. Especially when anti - Zionist groups such as the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak or Toldot Aharon don't change their clocks to (Zionist) daylight saving.

First I went with a friend to Rabbi Mordechai Machlis' Shabbatot but we were forced to leave early in order to catch a seat at the Tish of the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn in Mea Shearim. His Tishes are, besides the Toldot Aharon, the most popular in the Mea Shearim neighbourhood and, unfortunately I have to say, many groups have discovered the Tishing.

We were lucky though that we came on time. The Rebbe had just made HaMozi and gave out his Challah (Shabbat bread) to his Chassidim. Most places at the Ezrat Nashim (women's side at a Synagogue) were still empty but it didn't take too long and a group (a whole seminary class) of modern haredi girls (a Sephardi and Ashkenazi mix) were streaming in and making a noise. Yelling at each other where to sit and the two teachers had enough do to with keeping the teenage girls quiet, as some of the Avraham Yitzchak women had expressed their dislike.

The group sat for about 15 minutes and as soon as the next group walked in, they left.

The second group consisted of national religious girls who were more quiet but had absolutely no idea where they were. They didn't know the name of the group and what a Tish is.

I have to say that the national religious have no idea about haredi life and not even about the Tishes they go to. Actually the girls were interested but their teachers unable to provide information, as they themselves had no clue what was going on.

Fortunately the girls found an Avraham Yitzchak teenage girl and she explained them a little what a Tish is about. The national religious girls even asked her what Yiddish is and why they speak it. What is a chassidic Tish and what does the Rebbe do ?

I expected their usual fight by coming up with the Zionism ideology but those girls didn't It is a real pity that national religious teachers are not able to teach anything about the haredi world. They just gossip but without knowing anything.

The group left after a while and more and more Toldot Avraham Yitzchak women were streaming in and thus filling the place up. At the other side stood a few chassidic women with Tichels (hankies) on their Sheitels (wigs). Maybe from Satmar ? However, they were Americans and visiting Mea Shearim.

Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov was totally uplifted and his Chassidim started singing. I love seeing when the Rebbe waves with his arms or, as last Erev Shabbat, hits with the spoon on the table in accordance with the rhythm of the songs. When he was singing his prayers, all Chassidim were quiet. Not the Avraham Yitzchak women and sometimes it was hearing the Rebbe.

The Rebbitzen walked in and said "Gut Schabbes" to all the guests from New York. It looked like you have to wear a Tichel in order to get a "Hello". Maybe I should wear one the next time.

However, the Rebbitzen was in a great mood and even kissed her guests. I heard that she doesn't speak English but at the Tish she did use a few English expressions.

Never mind the women, I always try concentrating on what the Rebbe and the Chassidim do. At almost every chassidic Tish, a Rebbe is greeting his Chassidim by shaking his hand into their direction. Almost individually by doing so row by row. It is very nice to see this kind of ceremony in the Avraham Yitzchak. Especially when the Chassidim wave back.

Rather early, at 12.45am in the morning, we left. The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Tish usually runs until late. At least until 2.30am and finishes with the Rebbe and his Chassidim jumping up and down to a certain melody. Nevertheless, we were too tired and I wish I wouldn't work that much during the week and not be so terribly tired on Erev Shabbat.

Tish in Toldot AvrahamYitzchak

Purim in Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. Rebbe Shmuel Yaakov Kahn is sitting in the center.

B"H

The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe is returning from his trip to Canada today and will be giving a Tish this upcoming Erev Shabbat ! His Tish is the most lively and popular in Mea Shearim. No. 2 are the Toldot Aharon.

Tish in Belz

B"H


Last Erev Shabbat (Friday night) I did something which I usually don't do: I took two people with me to the Belzer Tish in Jerusalem. First we went to the Shabbat meal of Rabbi Mordechai Machlis. Unfortunately we had to leave earlier in order to walk to the great Synagogue of Chassidut Belz in Jerusalem's Kiryat Belz.

It was a nice walk. Plenty of Chassidim were in the streets in going for their evening walk. Bar Ilan Street was crowded and so was the area around the Chernobyl and the Satmar Synagogue on the in front of the junction Kiryat Belz - Kiryat Zanz.
The Belzer like it posh and so is their neighbourhood. Clean and organized. By the way, Kiryat Vishnitz in Bnei Brak looks the same.


From far away, the Belzer great Beit Mirdrash is shining and the closer you get, the more impressive it becomes. Just like the old Synagogue in Belz but much bigger. Seven thousand people have space in the new Synagogue.


The Tish is not taking place inside the Synagogue but nearby on a ground floor. When we arrived, the Belzer Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeach was just making "Kiddush - Blessing over the wine". The Ezrat Nashim (women's side) was not yet packed but soon after it was. The Belzer Rebbitzen always sits on her little stage almost above the Rebbe. She loves to wear high hats and this time she wore a huge blue hat.


The Belzer Chassidim are organized and everything at the Tish is arranged. There are benches at the Ezrat Nashim but when you want to see something, you need to stand up.


When the Rebbe makes Kiddush, he puts his Tallit (prayer shawl) over his head and his Streimel. This alone looks very impressive. Afterwwards, for "Washing the hands and HaMozi", he takes off the Tallit.


Before making Kiddush, he is always involved in silent prayer and the Chassidim have to be quiet. Their Rebbe is like a king and if anyone dares to talk then you can here and threatening "Sha Sha - Silence, silence". The men's side was packed. Including many guests, as the Belzer Tish is quite popular among Israeli groups touring haredi areas on Erev Shabbat.


We only stayed for an hour (the Belzer Tish usually lasts for two hours) because we almost fell asleep. Tishing on a Friday night after a week full of work is not that easy. It is then when you feel how exhausted you are from the week. However, each of us enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole evening.


Next Shabbat I will be back in Mea Shearim !

The Belzer Synagogue in Jerusalem

 

Chassidic Tish in Toldot Aharon

B"H


There are people who do call me a fan of Chassidut Toldot Aharon. Although I have no intentions of becoming a member of the group, I do respect them very much and always love to go to their Synagogue or Tishes with Rebbe David Kahn.


I was invited in Mea Shearim last Shabbat and after the meal, quite late, I decided to go to a chassidic Tish. Despite being death tired, I went to the Synagogue of Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak but there was nothing. Unfortunately.
Outside the building I met two Israeli seminary girls who had the same idea and we were disappointed. Maybe next Shabbat, Toldot Avraham Yitzchak will offer a Tish.


The girls and I decided to walk over to the Toldot Aharon and, as soon as we entered the alleyway leading to the Ezrat Nashim (women's entrance) we realized that everything looked empty and abandoned. We asked a Toldot Aharon woman and she told us that there actually was a Tish going on.


I was totally surprised seeing the Ezrat Nashim that empty. We found a place; squeezed into some national religious girl's group visiting the Tish for half an hour or so but then got some great seats among the women. It looked like Mea Shearim was still tired from the major Pessach celebrations and most women were probably already in bed. Not even the Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen was there when her husband ate his chicken soup.


Slowly, slowly, more and more Chassidim walked in but the Ezrat Nashim remained rather empty. Suddenly a women completely dressed in white and obviously not a Toldot Aharon member walked up to the girls and me. She had passed around little notes to any woman taking it. Now it was our turn. I asked the woman if she was handing out Tehillim (Psalms) and she nodded. Anyone should say a special section of Psalms on a certain day of the week. "For our kidnapped soldiers and other people in distress". She actually mentioned the sentenced Satmar Chassidim (smuggling drugs) in Japan as well.
I was surprised and asked her if she was from Toldot Aharon but she said NO. However, also the Toldot Aharon do pray for Gilad Shalit and other kidnapped soldiers, she stressed.
She asked me to choose a day and handed me a little note with different numbers of Psalms. I have to admit that I appreciate all her efforts.


The two girls left after a while and I stayed until the end at about 1:45am. An hour before the Tish ended, the Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen arrived at the Tish and was standing right next to me at the glass Mechitzah (separation to the men's side). We said "Gut Schabbes" to each other and talked for a while.


It was a nice Tish but I almost overslept the next day.

Shabbat Vayakel - Pekudei in Mea Shearim

B"H

The Shabbat meal at Rabbi Machlis home was very nice. Not too many guests (only the usual 60 or 70 people) and a great atmosphere. Afterwards I went down from Maalot Dafna to Mea Shearim. First to Shmuel HaNavi Street where Chassidut Dushinsky is located but everything was quiet. You could have called it a warm summer night in the middle of March and couples were going for a walk outside. There was simply no Tish going on.


At first, I was planning to jump over to the Kaliver Rebbe or Ruzhin - Boyan but I was too tired to walk. In the end I just made it through Mea Shearim where neither the Mishkenot HaRoim, Toldot Avraham Yitzchak nor the Toldot Aharon had anything going on. At least I had a good walk after the Shabbat meal.

I spoke to an Amshinover Chassid and was told that their Rebbe was suffering a heart attack about a week ago.

Mea Shearim, Neturei Karta and a "spiritual" chassidic Tish

B"H

"So, what did you actually get from the Tish last night ?" I was asked this question from someone in Mea Shearim and it made me think. The night before I had been invited into the neighbourhood; by two different families but only made it to one. Both would have been anti - Zionist and what I learned from the family I spend the first Shabbat meal with was that I shouldn't say "Hebrew" but "Lashon HaKoidesh - the Holy Tongue".

I also learned that many Mea Shearim inhabitants don't like the Neturei Karta at all. Neither group - Rabbo Yoelish Kroisz as well as Rabbi Israel Hirsh. The anti - Zionist difference between the Neturei Karta and the rest of the anti - Zionist groups / directions in Mea Shearim is that the NK prefers the Arabs ruling over Israel whereas the rest wants any non - Jews but NOT Arabs.

On the other hand, I was told that the NK actually does quite a lot of Chesed and does provide lots of help for the needy.

After the meal on Erev Shabbat I went to the Tish of the Toldot Aharon Rebbe and stayed there until it ended (approx. 1am in the morning).

What I gained from the Tish ?

First of all, I enjoyed the space at the new TA Synagogue. The kids mainly stay on the second floor of the Ezrat Nashim (women's side) and most women place themselves on the first floor. But not only.

Although the new building provides more space, it was still crowded last Friday night. I ended up standing next to the Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen who was busy talking to a haredi female visitor. Next to us stood a TA woman I know and we had a short conversation about different chassidic groups and their Tishes.

For more than two hours I stood next to the glass Mechitzah and enjoyed myself. The Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn had already made Kiddush and was just about to start his main cause. I would not say that he was in such a great mood and the Tish went rather quiet and relaxed. Rebbe David is definitely not as "lively" as his brother who is the Rebbe of the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak.

My mind didn't go to any spiritual heights but I rather looked around and thought about how a newcomer into the group would feel. The issue of acceptance arose. Not that I am seriously planning to join any group and my thoughts were just wandering around. How could a newcomer possibly fit into the closed structure of the group ? How would his life be when he decides to give up his former life ? How can someone suddenly decide to put his fate into the hands of a Rebbe and a group ?

Instead of dreaming and being overwhelmed by the chassidic feeling I a kind of compared reality (the daily life) and the imagination of the people from the outside visiting the Tish. 

Maybe this way I also gained a lot.

Tish in Belz

B"H

This is a true story about enjoying the Friday night Kiddush (blessing over the wine on Shabbat) too much.

I was in Jerusalem and eating at a friend's place. When it came to making Kiddush, she announced that we have to make it over white wine, as she doesn't have any red one. Eventually she found a bottle of grape juice in the fridge turning out to be sweet red wine. I enjoyed the Kiddush so much, due to the great wine called "Ginossar", that I lost my mind. A little bit but not much.

Finally we decided to go to the Tish of the Belzer Rebbe and I was planning a shortcut. Not so easy with a mind full of red wine.
We passed the Boyaner Synagogue, went straight ahead until we got to Yirmeyahu Street. I saw the TNUVA building (which isn't TNUVA anymore but belongs to Chassidut Gur) and was confused. I thought that Bar Ilan Street would be a little further down.
I stood in the middle of the road and started to get my thoughts together. In the meantime, my friend was bugging me to find the right way. I told her "to leave me alone, as I am drunk". Not drunk but just putting some order into my orientation.

At that very moment, a Chassid passed by. He looking like a Vishnitzer in his black Bekishe (long black shiny Shabbat coat), the Streimel (fur hat) and his white sox. He stopped and asked in some sort of American English what we are looking for.
"Bar Ilan", I said.
"Oh, further down", he replied.
I think that I looked a little confused, as I still thought how we could have ended up in Bar Ilan Street so fast.
"Where are you going", the Chassid continued.
"Belz".
"Just straight and then you will see it. Schabbes".

My friend jumped on me and said that next time we are searching for something I should just stand in the middle of the street and yell that I am drunk. Then we would definitely find someone to help us.

In fact, we should be grateful to this Chassid helping us finding a great shortcut. We got to Belz so fast, that we even arrived before the Tish started. Only one woman was sitting at the Ezrat Nashim (women's side). First I didn't notice it but then I saw this stage set up at the Ezrat Nashim. Two chairs were standing on it and the whole thing was surrounded by a fence.
This was where the Belzer Rebbitzen is usually sitting.

After a few minutes she walked in. Wearing a wig and a white Tichel on top.
The Rebbitzen comes from a very famous family. Her father is the old Vishnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, the two present Vishnitzer Rebbes of Bnei Brak are her brothers. One of her sisters is married to the Skverer Rebbe and another one to Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum from Satmar.

The Rebbitzen sat down on one of the chairs on the stage and soon her husband appeared downstairs. It is always an amazing to watch the Belzer Chassidim when their Rebbe is approaching the hall. Someone whistles and everyone just runs up to their places. A Chassid told me that each of them has his firm place.
It is just like a King is walking in.
It may sound trivial but I really do like the Belzer shiny black shoes on Shabbat. No one else has such shiny shoes as a Belzer Chassid.

Usually the Rebbe begins with longs prayers while he is standing at his place. Then he sits down and makes Kiddush. Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeach eats a whole meal and I am always waiting for the Challot from our bakery to show up. But, obviously, he eats them at home.
Our bakery has the Belzer kashrut certificate (Badatz Belz) and many times, we make the Challot (Shabbat breads) for the Rebbe. Always without yeast !

I like Belz but they are too organized for me. Everything is almost overdone in a certain way. How the Challot are being cut, how the slices are placed on top and next to each other. How the fruit is placed on the trays. Everything is so much in order. We enjoyed ourselves very much but left when the Rebbe began eating his soup.

The way back was easy to find (for a change) but, unfortunately, next week, the Rebbe won't be in Jerusalem but in Telshe Stone (I think it was Telshe Stone).




The Belzer Beit Midrash in Jerusalem.
Altogether it has space for 7000 people.
The chairs are sold for a lifetime to Belzer Chassidim. One chair costs 5000 US Dollar and whoever doesn't have the money in cash, can pay in installments.

"Botte" in Vishnitz

Vishnitzer Chassidim in Bnei Brak

B"H

Almost subject number one in Israeli haredi forums is the Chatzer of Rabbi Israel Hager in Bnei Brak. True or not, there are claims that more and more Vishnitzer Chassidim run over to Rabbi Israel's brother and competitor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager. People state that, so far, approx. 30 Bnei Braker Chassidim changed sides and this seems to be more interesting than the Botte last Erev Shabbat.

At about 11pm, I went to the Tish of the Vishnitzer Rebbe Israel Hager and thought that I would be too late. Too late always means no more space at the Ezrat Nashim (wome's side) or, for sure, no view at the men's section. Already in the surroundding streets near Malchei Israel in Ge'ulah (Jerusalem), plenty of Chassidim were on the move. Almost entirely men and I already had my doubts if there would be a women's section at all.

The Tish (Botte) took place right across the Ruzhin - Boyan Synagogue and I saw a gate where countless Chassidim with their Streimels entered. A woman showed me the sign with an arrow leading to the Ezrat Nashim on the other side of the building. It turned out that the men were outside underneath a blue tent roof whereas the women were standing inside behind the windows watching the Chassidim.

The Ezrat Nashim was a narrow alleyway and most places at the windows were, of course, taken. Right at the beginning I stood on some steps leading down the alleyway and from there I had an amazing view. Hundreds of Chassidim, mostly wearing black coats and white sox, were standing downstairs on their metal benches. A large table (Tish) was placed in the middle were the elderly rabbis sat. Behind were two groups of white plastic chairs and all the rest tried to climb up the metal benches. This wasn't that easy anymore, as it was packed and every time, a Chassid tried to squeeze in, the whole row was moving back and forth.
Some youngsters shipped in a table in order to stand on it and see something. As soon as they put down the table, other Chassidim had jumped up already. A boy brought in a chair, placed it on the table and stood on it. A elderly Chassid stood on the middle table and yelled at everyone to move.

A rock star concert is nothing compared to a Tish of a chassidic rebbe of a large chassidic group. I don't know the Hagers but last Friday night, Rebbe Israel seemed to be the superstar. He, on the other hand, walked in late; at about 11.20pm. In the meantime, another Vishnitzer woman was seriously trying to steal my great place. First, she was squeezing her daughters Gitty and Liby into our row and then she crawled in herself. Another woman behind me just leaned onto my back and I had to bend down even more. I am tall and the windows were low. Gitty was standing on my foot and her mother's wig (Sheitel) was right in my face. When the Rebbe walked in, Gitty's mother got really excited and I saw nothing but a wig.

Rebbe Israel took his seat right below us. He banged his left hand on the table and the Chassidim started their Niggunim (songs).
Many times People had told me about the great Vishnitzer songs but what I heard that night didn't push me off the ground. How could that happen anyway with Gitty standing on my foot ?

I only stayed for the first 30 minutes and then left. I desperately needed to stretch my bones because more and more women leaned against me or pushed. The guys downstairs were even more squeezed in and outside I saw more and more Chassidim just arriving.

However, I have to say that seeing all this hundreds of Chassidim from upstairs was an unbelievable feeling. Overwhelming ! No one can say that there is no spirituality. Besides the pushing and my flat foot.

I promised myself to rather see the Vishnitzer Rebbes in Bnei Brak. I heard that especially Rebbe Israel has a huge Synagogue with two floors of Ezrat Nashim. Hopefully there will be more space and no Sheitel in my face.


Sitting: Rebbe Moshe Yehoshua Hager and his son Rabbi Israel (standing left).

Purim in Tel Aviv

B"H

I am still in Jerusalem but half on my way back to Tel Aviv where Purim already starts tonight. This morning I totally forgot that there is a fast (Taanit Esther) and was already wondering why all the religious bakery customers stared at me in a funny way when they walked into the store while I was sitting there eating and having coffee.

Tonight I am going to Chabad in Tel Aviv to hear the Megillah and tomorrow night I am planning to visit the chassidic Tishes in Bnei Brak. I even try to go to Machnovke, the arch - enemy of Belz. But, as I said to a Belzer Chassid, I am going there in order to write about the Machnovke celebrations. I do that with all kinds of chassidic or orthodox groups and I am not getting involved in internal fights such as the two Satmarer Rebbes or Belz and Machnovke. I do write about the backgrond but I am not on either side.

On Wednesday I will be back in Jersalem for the local Shushan Purim celebrations and Rabbi Mordechai Machlise's party in Maalot Dafna. Later on, there are Tishes in Mea Shearim including the Neturei Karta. I am going to join the Tishes (not the Neturei Karta :-)) and hopefully have lots to tell afterwards.

PURIM SAMEACH to all of You !!!

Toldot Aharon, Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and the Mishkenot HaRoim

B"H

Last Erev Shabbat (Friday night) I went, as usual, to Rabbi Mordechai Machlis for dinner. I was an hour too early because I had been for "Kabbalat Shabbat" at the Karlin - Stolin Synagogue in Mea Shearim. Surprisingly, the Karliner Rebbe wasn't there. He lives in the Jerusalem outskirt of Givat Ze'ev and only comes sometimes to his Jerusalem Synagogue over Shabbat. However, I was still surprised that he didn't show up, as it was Shabbat Chanukkah. Especially then most Rebbes are with their groups in Jerusalem in order to celebrate.

The Machlis meal was very nice. Almost every Shabbat it is so unbelievable crowded but last Friday night, there weren't too many people. Someone mentioned that due to Shabbat Chanukkah, many people are invited elsewhere. And it wasn't only Shabbat Chanukkah but also Rosh Chodesh Tevet (the beginning of the new Jewish month of Tevet). Such a Kedusha (holiness) and I really felt like doing something and not just let the Shabbat pass. Of course, this high Kedusha was also a topic at the Machlis table and although the stove of the family broke down in the afternoon before Shabbat had started, they managed to cook a great meal.

Afterwards I went to three different chassidic Tishes.
First to the Toldot Aharon in Mea Shearim where is was totally packed. No wonder … Chanukkah, Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh together. Not only that the Toldot Aharon women occupied all the metal benches; more and more groups with mostly national religious or yound haredi seminary girls walked in. Those girls usually stay for 10 - 20 minutes and then move on to the next Tish somewhere else.

It was so packed that I didn't succeed in getting even close to the Mechitzah (glass windows) in order to look downstairs to the Rebbe and his Chassidim. Then one of the Toldot Aharon women turned around, saw me, and lifted me up on the metal bench. Suddenly I had a great view and the women said that we are here to see something. We talked for a little while and I asked her if she knew if the Rebbitzen is giving her regular class this week. Last week, it was canceled due to Chanukkah. The women didn't know but pointed over where the Rebbitzen was standing. In the end, I decided not to climb over all those women just in order to ask the Rebbitzen herself. I will find out in a different way.
Rebbe David Kahn ran his Tish as usual but upstairs in the Ezrat Nashim (women's section) it was boiling hot. Obviously someone had really turned on the heating system too much and there was hardly any air to breathe. I would have loved to stay until the end but decided to continue breathing but also seeing something more.

My next stop were the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak in the Mea Shearim market. The same picture: Packed but at least not too hot.

My third stop were the Mishkenot HaRoim. The Mishkenot HaRoim are not a chassidic group but rather an organization although they have a Rebbe. They are part of the Edah HaCharedit and known for their extreme anti – Zionism. Some Haredim even call them "zealots". Unfortunately, I came too late for their Tish. Rebbe Chaim Rabinovitz just said "Gut Shabbes" to everyone and was about to go home. Some other Chassidim were already cleaning up the tables. A little later, I met the Rebbe and about 40 Chassidim outside when then accompanied him to his home.

Toldos Aharon Rebbe's Shabbos in Boro Park, Brooklyn

B"H

The Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn gave a huge Tish in Boro Park / NY last Shabbat.

Here is a Tish report written by one of the Shearim readers who chose to remain unanymous.
__________________



Sitting to the far right: The Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn.


With great excitement and anticipation, the North American Hasidim and other admirers of the Toldos Aharon Rebbe from Jerusalem welcomed the Rebbe to New York this week for a short visit. The Rebbe comes to America during this season every year. The purpose is two-fold: to conduct Shabbos gatherings for his followers in the large Hasidic Jewish communities in the New York area, and to preside over the yearly American fundraising dinner for his Toldos Aharon institutions in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh. The Rebbe also visits the homes of many wealthy supporters of Toldos Aharon in order to solicit donations. The visit is usually a month long. Last year the Rebbe spent one Shabbos each in Monsey, Williamsburg, Montreal, and South Fallsburg in upstate New York.

This year the Rebbe's visit is shorter, because he will be returning to New York in a few months for the wedding of a grandchild. He will then conduct his yearly "Shabbos in Williamsburg," the Brooklyn neighborhood in which most of his North American-based followers and supporters live. The Rebbe's present visit, however, is only two weeks long, and he planned one Shabbos in Boro Park (Brooklyn's largest Hasidic neighborhood) and in Monsey, where the Rebbe lived for many years before returning to Jerusalem to assume his father's leadership position as Toldos Aharon Rebbe.

The Rebbe arrived in America last Sunday in Newark Airport and spent the week in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood visiting supporters and attending a variety of Hasidic functions. He also attended an important wedding in the Satmar community in Boro Park. The video of the Rebbe dancing can be found at:





I have been connected with the Toldos Aharon Hasidim for about 8-9 years and have many friends among the Hasidim both in America and in Israel, and when I visit Jerusalem I always spend Shabbos in that community and attend the Toldos Aharon Rebbe's Tish. I am not Hasidic, but I have great respect for the Hasidic community, and I have been warmly received by many Hasidim, especially in Toldos Aharon. Toldos Aharon is very close to my heart because of its purity, its zealotry, and its staunch preservation of tradition, especially those associated with the city of Jerusalem. Every year, I spend at least one Shabbos with the Rebbe when he comes to America.

I made arrangements for meals and a place to sleep with a family in Boro Park that I've known for many years. They have an entire floor of their home for guests, so spending Shabbos there is very comfortable. I went with a friend of mine who is learning in yeshiva (I am currently working) who has also had contact with Toldos Aharon and is an admirer of the Rebbe.

Friday evening, the Hasidim of Toldos Aharon rented out a hall for the Rebbe to conduct the Shabbos tefillos (prayers). Mincha and Kabolas Shabbos were held in Menorah Hall on 14th Avenue. Since Mincha was not scheduled until 45 minutes after candle lighting time (very late), my friend and I prayed instead with our host family's synagogue and decided to see the Toldos Aharon Rebbe later that night at the Tish. The Tish was scheduled to begin at 9pm, but anyone who has ever been to a Hasidic Tish before knows that the time is very approximate. We got to the Tish early (around 9:15) so we could secure a good place to stand on the "parenches" (the bleachers set up on either side of the long table down the center of the room, at the head of which is the dais where the Rebbe and other dignitaries sit). The Tish took place in the auditorium of a Hasidic girls school, the Beis Esther hall of the Sanz-Kloisenberger Hasidim. The hall is not very large, and I do not know why the Rebbe's Hasidim did not pick a more substantial venue. However, the small size of the room does lend itself to a warmer atmosphere where everyone is somewhat close to the Rebbe and can clearly hear and see him.

The Rebbe arrived to the Tish around 9:45pm. He was wearing a tallis and his silvery-white stripped Jerusalem-style "bekitshe." With his white beard, sleek black shtreimel, and shiny bekitshe, the Rebbe had a very regal appearance. He immediately began to recite the prayers for the Friday night Shabbos meal, singing "Ribon Kol HaOlomim." The prayers before Kiddush were very lengthy and accompanied by the stirring, and very distinctive, melodies of the Toldos Aharon community. The Rebbe made the blessing over a fragrant item using myrtle branches, as is a common Hasidic custom on Friday night, and then in a loud voice, recited Kiddush. The wine for Kiddush was poured from an ornate silver decanter. Someone then brought a bowl over which the Rebbe ceremonially washed his hands in preparation for "Motzi" over the challahs. As is typical, very large loafs of challah had been prepared for the Rebbe. After the Rebbe made the blessing over the bread, the challah was cut into smaller pieces and then distributed to the Hasidim in the room, all of whom were clamoring for some of the Rebbe's "shirayim" (bits of the food over which the Rebbe has made a blessing).

Meanwhile the small Beis Esther hall was packed to the gills with people. The long table down the center of the room was reserved for respected members of the community – Toldos Aharon Hasidim (who had traveled from far and wide to be with the Rebbe, more than handful accompanying the Rebbe from Israel and others coming from Canada and Monsey) as well as other Hasidim and many "Litvishe" (non-Hasidic) individuals who financially support the Toldos Aharon institutions. On the bleachers set up on either side were younger Hasidim as well as visitors. Non-Hasidim came into the tish throughout the night, distinguished by the Borsalino hats marking them as "Litvishe," ultra-Orthodox Jews associated more with the yeshiva world than with the Hasidic world, although the distinction is sometimes somewhat blurred. In the back of the room, part of the hall had been reserved for a section for ladies. Two layers of sheets were hung from the ceiling as a "mechitzah" (separation), and I'm not sure how easily the women could see through this barrier. They could definitely hear the Rebbe, however, and I think there were small openings in the sheets through which they may have been able to see.

The Tish attracted a very large crowd, and there were simply not enough bleachers to hold everyone. My friend and I were crammed in from every direction. The heat was unbearable. I don't think there was any fan or air conditioning, and all the bodies crammed together made for a very uncomfortable situation. Thankfully, every so often a bottle of seltzer water would make the rounds, and we were able to refresh ourselves. Moving around was very difficult, however, and when we went to visit a friend that we noticed on the other side of the room, it took a long time for us to be able to push through the crowd.

After the Rebbe began his meal, he was brought out the successive courses that are traditionally served during the Sabbath meal: soup, two types of fish, meat, carrots (tsimmes), and farfel. After the Rebbe tasted each of these dishes, the remaining food was divided up into small portions and sent around the room on smaller plates so that Hasidim could take from the Rebbe's "shirayim." There was also singing between courses, and the Rebbe spoke in Yiddish about the weekly Torah portion (this week was Vayeiro) and also spoke about the importance of singing to God (repeatedly discussing the verse "Tov L'Hodos Lashem, ulezamer l'shimchoh elyon"). The highlights of the evening were the heart-piercing singing of the Shabbos songs "Koh Echsoif" and "Koh Ribon Olam," during both of which the assembled crowd sang with special emotion. Watching the Rebbe during the singing of the zmiros (Shabbos songs) was a special privilege. He and his son sitting next to him (who lives in Monsey, New York and is the rabbi of Toldos Aharon there) both seemed to be in a different place, almost in an unearthly realm, seeming to achieve a state of dveykus (clinging to God), their ecstasy and holiness so palpable.

After bentching (the blessing after the meal), there was a "Peiros Tish" with a beautiful platter of fruit before the Rebbe. Fruit was then distributed to all present. My friend and I had to leave at some point during the Peiros Tish since we were exhausted and the heat of all the bodies pressed together was too much for us to handle for too long.

The next morning, the Shabbos prayers were held in Menorah Hall beginning at 9am. Toldos Aharon is known for having extremely long services, and the Hasidim take care to say every word carefully with concentration. The recitation of "Pesukei D'Zimrah" lasts an hour or more, which is very special and unusual. Before Torah reading, a small adhoc Kiddush was held in the kitchen of the catering hall because "chatzos" (the middle of the day) was approaching and since it is forbidden to fast on Shabbos, a person should make Kiddush and eat something before this time so that he does not have the status of someone who is fasting. The Rebbe then "leined" (read from the Torah), and a large crowd assembled around him to hear his reading. After the morning prayers were finished, Hasidim lined up to say "Gut Shabbos" to the Rebbe and perhaps to receive a blessing. Next, a catered lunch was held in the Menorah Hall for all guests, with the Rebbe conducting the meal. My friend and I returned to our hosts for lunch, however.

In the afternoon, almost immediately after lunch because Shabbos is very short during this season, we returned to the Beis Esther Hall for the Mincha service and the Tish for the Third Meal of the Shabbos (Shalosh Seudos Tish). As we were waiting for the Tish to begin, we spoke for a few minutes with the Rebbe's son that lives in Monsey. He is very tall and thin, with the gaunt face of a "kanoi" (zealot). While we spoke to him he was smiling continuously in an expression of pure "simcha" (joy). He has an otherworldly persona, as if he is totally removed from the secular world and all sorts of physicality, only concerned with spirituality. He asked us where we lived and what we did, and tried to encourage us in our Torah learning, saying "Ashrei Mi She'amolo BaTorah" (Happy is the one who toils in learning Torah).

In Toldos Aharon, the Tish on Shabbos afternoon (into the conclusion of Shabbos) is especially beautiful because almost all the lights are turned out in the hall. In the near darkness, you have hundreds of Hasidim singing with the Rebbe the stirring, holy songs associated with that Tish.

At a certain point during the tish, I noticed that through the sheets separating the women's section, I could see the silhouettes of mens' hats. There were several Hasidic boys playing in the section. Since there were no women there, I decided to try to go through the back entrance to the hall to enter the women's section to see what their visibility would have been like. It turns out, however, that these boys climbed through a crack in the mechitza to get there, and that in fact the door to the women's section was closed. I went outside to find a way in, and spoke to a woman there from Monroe (in upstate New York) whose son I know and is very active in Toldos Aharon, and she was very upset because the ladies had been locked out and were unable to enter the Tish to hear the Rebbe's famous talk given at the Third Meal. I do not know why the door to the ladies' section had been locked, but it does not seem to have been done to exclude the ladies, since the effort had been made to construct a section for them. There was probably a miscommunication with the owners of the hall.

Back inside the hall, the Tish continued, and the Rebbe gave a lengthy discourse in Yiddish. At the end of the evening, the Rebbe made a public Havdalah (ceremony for the conclusion of Shabbos). All in all, an extremely beautiful Shabbos with the Toldos Aharon Rebbe in Boro Park! Many Hasidim were able to spend a Shabbos "b'tzeil rabeini," in the "shadow" of their Rebbe, and many non-Hasidic admirers also came during the various Tishen and Tefillos to be close to the Rebbe and to observe his holy conduct. I am unable to attend the upcoming Shabbos in Monsey, but it promises to be very beautiful as well. A special tent will be erected for the weekend in the courtyard of the Toldos Aharon synagogue there. I am anxiously awaiting the Rebbe's next visit to the United States at the end of January, for a wedding and also for the Shabbos in Williamsburg.



Toldot Aharon Chassidim in Mea Shearim / Jerusalem

"Do you see the Rebbe ?"

The Satmarer Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum


B"H

"Do you see the Rebbe ?"

This was the most popular question at the Tish of the Satmarer Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum in Bnei Brak last Erev Shabbat.

But first, a few short details about the history of Chassidut Satmar:

Today, unfortunately, Satmar is divided into two groups. One group follows Rebbe Zalman Leib Teitelbaum and the other half follows his brother, Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum. Rebbe Zalman Leib has his headquarter in Williamsburgh / NY whereas Rebbe Aharon rules in Kiryat Yoel (a Satmar town near New York). The two groups living in New York sometimes face clashes with each other. The Chassidim of the two different Rebbes in Israel, however, get along without fighting each other although in Jerusalem, there are two different Satmarer Synagogues.


More details here:

A View Insights into Chassidut Satmar


Due to a wedding celebration, the Satmarer Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum came to Israel last week. As Satmar is extremely anti – Zionist, Rebbe Aharon has never prayed at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem but only on Mount Scopus facing the Kotel. His reason is that it was the Zionist army freeing the Kotel in 1967 but not G – d.

I am not sure if the news that the Satmarer Rebbe is coming to Bnei Brak was so widely spread. Probably among Haredim but not too much in the secular press. Or even not at all.
As you can surely imagine the Satmarer Rebbes wouldn't meet with Israeli politicians or give interviews to the Zionist press. However, I got the information from two different Chassidim (Vishnitz and Karlin – Stolin).

Some people may ask if I am having a special connection to Satmar. The answer is: "Sometimes definitely".
Years ago, I was close to some Satmarer families in Mea Shearim and this has left a small influence. Not the anti – Zionist ideas but definitely further ideologies. However, when I knew theses families, the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, was still alive and I couldn't imagine Satmar being split.

Those who don't know Israel too well:
Bnei Brak is an almost entirely haredi town near Tel Aviv. In some areas you can still find some secular as well as the national religious; if you walk up the main road Rabbi Akivah and turn into the streets Rashi, Chazon Ish or Kahaneman, you will find an almost entirely chassidic population. Let alone Kiryat Vishnitz, on top of Chazon Ish and then all the way up to the right. I walked all the way from Tel Aviv, passed Ramat Gan and then entered Bnei Brak. As I arrived quite early, I enjoyed my walk through Rashi where the Chabad Synagogue is located. Right next to Rashi Street, you can find the Shomrei Emunim Synagogue. Parallel is the Chazon Ish with Seret – Vishnitz, Dushinsky, Bobov, Ashlag and some further synagogues. When you are in the middle of the Chazon Ish, turn to your left and you will see Kiryat Yoel with its Satmar population. It is easy to find when you know some Satmarer Rebbes and literature. The main road leading into Kiryat Yoel is Yismach Moshe Street.

Because I was early, I decided to rest on a bench or somewhere. Well, just sitting on one of the benches as a woman might give a wrong impression and therefore I went up Chazon Ish where there is a huge playground with benches and some trees. It is nice to sit there where you can find other women as well watching their kids playing. The good thing about Bnei Brak is that you don't see any Christians walking around on Erev Shabbat. The town has enough of Christian missionaries looking evily for victims; even for little children. And thus, Bnei Brak has developed its own laws how to deal with missionaries.

I have to admit that I fell asleep on the bench, but only briefly. Then I decided to make my way to Satmar. Just before I would fall asleep again.

I had no idea in which synagogue the Rebbe would give his Tish and at what time he is supposed to start. I would ask and find out. Nevertheless, when I walked up the Yismach Moshe, I saw a great synagogue (I already knew from before) with shining light on the front wall. There were posters all over Kiryat Yoel welcoming the Rebbe. I have to add that Bnei Brak is full of the followers of Rebbe Aharon whereas his brothers followers are mostly located in Mea Shearim.

About a hundered Chassidim had already gathered in front of the synagogue and some women stood at the side. I went up to the women and asked if there is an Ezrat Nashim (women's section) at the Tish. I think that they were rather surprised when someone like me came and wanted to see their Rebbe. The women were all dressed up and wore their traditional Tichel (hanky) on top of their wigs. Those women I spoke to were extremely friendly and welcoming. They told me to hurry, as the place was already packed.



Satmar women in New York


Generally I got the impression that the Satmarer in Bnei Brak are much more open then in Mea Shearim. Is this a little influence from Tel Aviv ?

That night, all Satmarer women were helpful and very easy to talk to. The Ezrat Nashim was on the back of the building and we climbed up lots of stairs. First, I ended up entering a little tiny dark room (like a storage room) where some women and kids anxiously looked through the wooden Mechitzah. "Do you see him, do you see the Rebbe ?" were all of them asking each other. I inquired if this is he only Ezrat Nashim and was already shocked. "No, no, they said, just go upstairs and you will find more".

Generally, the whole synagogue was not built for a Satmarer Tish and doesn't have any capacities. And when is the Rebbe coming from America at all ? Not too many times.
When you go to Belz or the Toldot Aharon in Jerusalem, there are capacities but Satmar in Bnei Brak was basically overrun.

I entered the second Ezrat Nashim. A big one consisting of two rooms. One room in the back was so crowded that you couldn't even enter it. There was no way in getting in. I stayed in the front room where girls and women had already taken their position behind the wooden Mechitzah. Standing, hanging, whatever you want. If you wanted to look down into the men's section, you had to make a real sportive effort.

To my great surprise, I found a free spot. How could that be ? Luck ? I looked down into the men's section and I cannot describe my impression. The whole synagogue was full of mostly Satmarer Chassidim. There was nothing else to see anymore. Not even one piece of floor.
It was like a full sea consisting of Streimels and Bekishe (shiny black chassidic coat for Shabbat and festivals). The view was impressing and I have never seen such a thing before although I have been to many Tishes. But this was just unbelievable.

The negative point was that from my position, I couldn't see the stage which was set up for the Rebbe. Everyone was standing on the benches and even on the top layer of the bench; there where people lay their books while sitting on the bench.
I moved to the side and stood on a bench behind two women and some teenage girls. The stage was directly underneath but we couldn't really see it. We were all moving to the right and the left but only saw the huge room full of Chassidim which was already incredible. The men couldn't move either. If someone dared to, the whole group around him had to move with him. They all seemed to hang together like clusters. I just wondered what would happen if someone had to go to the bathroom.

Everyone was anxiously waiting for the Rebbe to enter and, from time to time, the Chassidim made a loud "Sssshhhh" in order to get some silence into the room. The women were climbing on top of each other and whoever entered after 9pm, didn't have a chance. As far as I saw, I was one of the only real outsiders. The men's section was full of Satmarer and some other Chassidim. There was no sign of national religious or anyone else. The same at the Ezrat Nashim. Only haredi women and girls.

Then the Rebbe walked in and the men seated near the large table in the middle stood up. The Chassidim immediately began to sing. The women's Mechitzot (separation walls to the men's side) were moving all over the place and ours fell apart. Everyone was just climbing all over the place in order to see the Rebbe.
Me and another girl lifted up the Mechitzah piece which hadn't totally fallen down but was severly out of its place now. No problem, no one seemed to care. The men only stared at the Rebbe and no one noticed any broken Mechitzot. I was almost squeezed over the bench and had to hold on to the Mechitzah which didn't really exist anymore. One girl next to me put her head over the entire Mechitzah and saw everything.

When some women kept on stepping on my feet, I decided to do it just like the girl. Stand on the wooden board on top of the bench. Don't worry, I didn't step on any books !

The door swung open and many Satmarer women turned around. Wow, some Toldot Aharon women, mostly dressed in their traditional white aprons, marched in. They looked like an army and immediately stormed to the Mechitzah in order to take a look at the Satmarer Rebbe. I knew one of the Toldot Aharon women and she spotted me out right away.
"Your Rebbe is in Boro Park", I said.
"Oh, you are really into all this", she replied with a smile.
She climbed up beside me but couldn't see anything. Then she disappeared and hopefull I will see her at the next Toldot Aharon Tish where we can discuss our Satmarer experience.

The Rebbe started his Kiddush (blessing over the wine).
I saw his hand holding the cup.
Well, this was something.
"Do you see the Rebbe from your position ?" Some of the women asked.
I was stupid to say YES because at the same moment, all of them jumped into my position on the very top of the bench and I was squeezed in again.
However, I finally saw the Rebbe washing his hands and eating his Challah. Some Challah was divided among the Chassidim.
Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum really takes his time and while he was eating his Challah, the Chassidim were silent and watching him.

I could see the Rebbe who was only a few meters below. He wore a white coat and a Streimel. I cannot help it but he made a real royal impression on me. Not that I am too much into the zaddik ideology, however, there was something in his way of sitting there.



Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum in his white coat (caftan).

He somehow reflected royalty and Kavod (honour).
It was extremely hard for me to stand on top of the bench and leaning over. I was right on the edge.
Some Russian Gentiles working at the synagogue walked into the Ezrat Nashim and brought in some boxes of mineral water. A welcomed gesture, as we were all thirsty and dried out.

I couldn't manage anymore and decided to leave. I had seen the Rebbe but it was just too crowded for me. Usually I don't mind being squeezed in but this was just too much. If I had stayed longer I should have either cut off half of my feet or learned how to fly. I climbed down and the girl next to me said that I just cannot leave now. I told her that I would and she couldn't believe it. I would have really loved to stay until the end. Afterwards I regretted my decision.
I had a few drinks and went to the Nadvorna Tish up Chazon Ish Street.
Outside the Satmar Synagogue was chaos. Some Toldot Aharon Chassidim had arrived and others stood in front of the synagogue but there was no entrance anymore. The only solution is that the Satmarer Rebbes have to come to Israel more often.

I arrived at Nadvorna and there it was crowded but, as the Ezrat Nashim is as almost as huge as in Belz, there was enough place to get a good place behind the Mechitzah. Still under the impression of the amazing view and seeing Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum, I wasn't able to concentrate on the Nadvorna Tish anymore. Suddenly someone from Satmar walked in. It may have been Rebbe Aharon's son or someone else. In Nadvorna, the Chassidim were happy to see him. The Rebbe shook the guys hand and offered him a seat at the top of the Tish.

Also here, I didn't stay until the end and walked back to Tel Aviv. Quite a walk and I was totally finished that on the next day, I only woke up at 10am.

Nevertheless, it was a great experience !

Satmar Tish in Bnei Brak

B"H

Actually I wanted to go to Jerusalem this Shabbat. Seeing some friends and going to some chassidic Tishes in Mea Shearim. Last night, however, I got the information that one of my favourite groups won't have a Tish this Shabbat. A Tish yes, but in Boro Park and not in Jerusalem.

The Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn is in New York and having a big event in Boro Park tonight. Next Shabbat, he will be in Monsey.
So, New Yorkers, go to his Tish and enjoy.

I must admit that this information upset me, as I had been looking forward to the Toldot Aharon Tish. "Well, I thought, maybe I should still go to Jerusalem, see friends and go to Avraham Yitzchak. I also haven't been to Kretchnif for quite a while. Or how about Belz ?

Okay, still plenty of possibilities where to go.
On the other hand, I didn't feel very comfortable with all of this. And this morning, I rather spontaneously made up my mind.
Although I would love to see some friends, I am staying home in Tel Aviv. No Mea Shearim or Belz but I am going to Bnei Brak where the Satmarer Rebbe Aharon Teitelbaum is giving a great Tish tonight.

It doesn't happen too often that one of the Satmarer Rebbes is visiting Israel and, now I am taking another chance. More than a year ago, Rebbe Aharon was in Jerusalem in order to lay the cornerstone for his new Kiryat Yoel. He gave a Tish at "Supnik" (Kikar Shabbat in Ge'ulah / Mea Shearim). Right in front of the offices of the Edah HaCharedit and the Dushinsky school. I went and luckily, the huge tent set up had an Ezrat Nashim (women's section). Unfortunately, it was so packed that no one succeeded in seeing anything. The guys walked in and straight out. No space.
The women climed up the walls in order to take a glimpse over the Mechitzah. I have no idea if any of them finally succeeded. Rebbe Aharon was the Superstar that night. Thousands of different Chassidim, Litvishe, National religious and other came to see him.

Tonight, I am having another try in Bnei Brak. I suppose that the place will be packed again but whatever, the atmosphere alone is incredible. And if it is too crowded, I can still move over to Lelov, Bohush or Nadvorna.

Anyway I am happy with my decision but next Shabbat, I am definitely going to spend in Jerusalem.

Shabbat Shalom - Gut Shabbes to everyone !!!


August 1997 / 5768: The Satmarer Rebbe in Jerusalem




Links:

Chassidut Satmar

Dialog

Toldot Aharon Chassidim in their Shabbat or festive clothes.


B"H

Last Erev Shabbat (Friday night), I went to the chassidic Tish of the Toldot Aharon. Usually the group is referred to as extreme and when I went to their great Synagogue in Mea Shearim, I experienced the following:

When I came to the Tish at about 11pm, most seats and places to stand were taken. The Ezrat Nashim (women's side) was totally packed and all the metal benches were occupied. While searching for an available place in order to look downstairs into the men's section and watch the Chassidim and Rebbe David Kahn, I got into the second room of the Ezrat Nashim. There I met three young American girls who tried to squeeze themselves onto the metal bench and look downstairs. I knew one of the girls and soon they decided to leave and let me have their place instead. I jumped onto the metal bench and had an unbelievable view downstairs. Rebbe Kahn was eating his chicken soup and the Chassidim around him were singing.

I didn't even have the time to make myself comfortable and was only standing for not even half a minute, as a woman right beside me started involving me in a conversation. She was in her 60ies and according to her head cover I rather suspected her being from Chassidut Dushinsky. Not that she wore a wig and a Tichel (hanky). She wore a white head cover as most Toldot Aharon women on Shabbat but something was different. It wasn't the usual head cover and to me it looked liked this woman was a visitor as well.
Then we had the following dialog:

She: Which language do you speak ?
Me: Whatever you want. Hebrew, English and some Yiddish. She: Where are you from ?
Me: Israel
She: But where are you from originally ?
Me: Germany
She: Where do you live ?
Me: Mostly Tel Aviv.
She: Oh, you are going back to Tel Aviv tonight ?
Me: No, it is Shabbat. And actually I am in Jerusalem for a few more days and not only for Shabbat.
She: Oh, you are religious ?
Me: Yes. At least I am doing my best.

Then she investigated about my family and where they come from, and how I got to the Toldot Aharon at all. I, on the other hand, used the opportunity to ask her some questions in return.

Me: And what about you ? Were you born here or in Hungary (the origin of Toldot Aharon is in Hungary) ?
She: No, I am also from Germany.
Me: From Germany ? Wow, just a few months ago when I came for Shacharit here I met a Toldot Aharon member whose family was from Germany as well. Are you also from Munich ?
She: No. (She told me the exact place but, so far, I don't want to mention it).
She: How do you know about the Toldot Aharon ?
Me: I have acquaintances who are members of the Chatam Sofer group. And their daughter got married to someone who joined the Toldot Aharon. And what about you ? Are you a member here or a visitor ?

The last question I asked twice and all I got was that the woman nodded. She neither said yes or not and I could only assume that she was a member.
In the meantime, quite a few women had gathered around us.

However, somehow I had the feeling that the woman was not a group member which later turned out to be wrong.
She: And what are you doing in your life ? You work ?
Me: Yes, I sometimes teach Judaism but I mostly write chassidic articles (and other subjects) for my sites and different communities.

I told her the truth about what I am doing because I cannot stand anymore not telling anyone at Toldot Aharon. I already had told the truth at all the other chassidic group and don't keep it as a secret that I write.

Me: At the moment, I am gathering material in order to write about the "Kastner Case".
She: When you write about Kastner this means you write about the Holocaust ?
Me: Not necessarily. In fact, I hardly write about the Holocaust, and now only due to Kastner.
She: What do you think about Kastner ?
Me: There are very different opinions and I am only able to quote from others, as I wasn't there. Among others, about the Satmarer Rebbe on the train.
She: Do you know people who were involved ?
Me: I am planning to interview a Holocaust survivor from Hungary.
She: Considering that you are an outsider, you know a lot about all these chassidic matters.
She: What do you think about the Toldot Aharon ?
Me: Usually I am going to many different Tishes in the area and also to Belz. I have been to Bnei Brak as well and saw the Nadvorna Tish. And by the way, I got a great picture of the Nadvorna Rebbe together with the Toldot Aharon Rebbe sitting together at one table in Saalbach / Austria where they were on vacation.
She: Where did you get the picture from ?
Me: From the Internet.

Then we had a short break and suddenly a woman went up to the woman I spoke to. I knew the second woman because I have spoken to her quite a few times. I turned around and sat down one row after the two women who now started their conversation.

While I turned around, I heard the second woman saying:

"Gut Shabbes, Rebbitzen !"

I almost fainted and I realized that the woman I had spoken to for twenty minutes was the Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen. And I had even asked her if she was a member here. Hopefully she and her husband, the Rebbe, didn't have a great laugh afterwards at home.

Several other women walked up to the Rebbitzen and got blessings or advice. When the Tish was almost over and I left, the Rebbitzen turned around and said to me" "Gut Shabbes".

Just a few weeks ago, Rabbi Mordechai Machlis had told a similar story at a Shabbat meal. He once went to the Chassidut Gur in order to see the Gerrer Rebbe. However, another guy was always walking up and down and the Rabbi couldn't really see the Rebbe. Later outside, a Gerrer Chassid asked if he had seen the Rebbe and Rabbi Machlis answered that this other guy was disturbing his few. "You fool, the Chassid said, this guy was the Rebbe and not just a guy".

When I heard the story, I thought that this could never ever happen to me. However, I was totally wrong and at Toldot Aharon I spoke very openly with a woman who later turned out to be the Rebbitzen.
I have to admit that the Rebbitzen is not easy to interview. Maybe because she is shy or she because she doesn't know the stranger. Maybe she is curious and wants to know who is coming to the Tish.
She is very nice, modest and humbled. So humbled that one just doesn't know that she is the Rebbitzen.


Remark:
The Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen comes from Chassidut Sidichov in New York. When she told me that she is from Germany I would have never guessed who she is. Maybe someone knows if she was born in a German DP – Camp or left Germany before the war started. Then she probably got to New York.

Guest Posting by Yisroel - Voices of the Admurim and Ben-Zion Halberstam of Bobov

B"H

I have always been very anxious to know how it is to visit a chassidic Tish in New York and, as I am not there myself, I am very grateful that Yisroel is willing to write some guest postings on the subject.

This is his first guest posting and I hope that the readers of SHEARIM enjoy it !
_________________


Voices of the Admurim and Ben-Zion Halberstam of Bobov:

It would be hard to argue that there is a sweeter voice among the Rebbes of today than that of Ben-Zion Halberstam. Just to introduce myself, my name is Yisroel, and I'm a ba'al teshuvah living in New York. I'm an avid reader of shearim. I work as a chazzan, and over the past three years or so I have taken to a love to chassidus.

It began in a shtiebel in Lakewood, New Jersey, where I had been visiting for shabbos. As soon as Lechu Neranena began I was transported. Never before had I heard people daven out loud. I knew of modern orthodox shuls, the very litvishe shuls of Lakewood where chas veshalom one would even sing lecha dodi too loud, and the conservative shuls. Here for the first time people were not only saying the words out loud, but exclaiming the words! Singing them out from lechu neranena until es menuchasi. Every word was said with passion and intensity. When we got to lecha dodi, and I heard my first chassidishe niggun I felt like I had come home. Everyone sang, the little kids sang.

It was this experience that finally led me to examine the words I had been saying for a few years working as a chazzan, and davening occasionally during the week. Finally, I delved deeper into the davening, and found new meaning. Ever since this first experience of davening with chassidim I have used virtually every one of my weeks off as a chazzan to visit chassidic communities for shabbos. I have never found greater religious inspiration than in the chassidic niggunim I continue to discover and in the time I spend in such communities as Satmar, Skver, Bobov, Belz, and Stolin.

For chol hamoed Sukkos I attended the tisch at Bobov, 48th st. Waiting and waiting in the sukkah for some time I decided to wander into the shul only to discover that there was a pre-tisch taking place inside. The shul was pakced to capacity (perhaps almost 1,000 people), and the women's galleries were full, as well. The interesting thing about Bobov is that if one looks up to the second and third floors, one can see the women in full view if they are standing, and they usually are. There is no glass window, no peephole to look through, no hole in the floor (and I spotted a very dangerous one in one shul, which a crowd of women were to gather around, and try to get a gaze of what was going on with the men). Bobov seems to be a bit more liberal with these things. The singing and dancing on the forenches (bleachers) was intense and very moving. I managed to push my was to the front to get on line to shake the Rebbe's hand. He gave me a gut yontif, a warm smile, and even followed my gaze as I walked away.

Soon the tisch in the beautiful Bobov Sukkah began, and there was lots of food to go around. In fact I was very full from the kugel and salads by the time the Rebbe arrived. The Rebbe began by singing shir hamaalos three times, and as is the Bobov custom, the chassidim interject a melody after every few lines that the Rebbe sings. Everyone sings right on cue. That's the one thing that I realized about Bobov after going to a couple of tischen. There's no real degree of spontenaity. Everything seems to be set in stone, every niggun, every note at its proper time. But the set up is wonderful, and listening the the Rebbe's voice as he sang shir hamaalos I was completely transported. For the first time I heard him with a microphone (he has a very small voice without it), and the sweetness rang out. I imagined bright colors coming from his lips accompanying these sweet sounds. Of all the admurim I have not heard sweeter. The other Rebbe, Mordechai Dovid Unger is not too far behind. He seems to put a little more stress on the words as he enunciates them. Some might call it more kavanah, but whatever it is, it is a sweet voice in itself.

Another unusually beautiful voice is that of the Kaliver Rebbe. Yes, it's a bit frail, but it is very unique. He seems to be greatly respected, and was even asked to sing some songs at the big Belzer Bar-Mitzvah last year. Another favorite is Rav Gerstner, a chassidishe Rabbi, but I don't seem to have any more information on him. If anyone could tell me more about him it would be greatly appreciated. On the DVD bechatzrot kadsheinu he seems to be treated like a gadol. He too has an unusually sweet voice. I've heard him sing the famous song Ilan, and make a few brachos.

But back to the tisch at Bobov. The sukkah was packed beyond capacity, and finally the violinists took the stage behind the Rebbe as is the Bobov custom every year. About a dozen violinists played some famous songs such as kol rinah (in which the crowd tried to join in, but were shushed), and some other songs, not known to me. Again people tried to join in, but were shushed immediately. The playing was nice. In classical standards they really could have used some work, but for the occasion it was a delight. Certainly about ten grades better than the Kretchnifer Rebbe's playing or the Zutchka Rebbe's (I believe) playing at Chanukah, as is their custom. I believe that the Rebbe of Premishalem plays as well, and seems to have taken a few extra lessons than the other admurim.

Bobov has an interesting custom when they have people from out of town (perhaps it's done in other places, but I haven't seen it). They pass out large bottles of beer, coors light, and each bottle is designated for a particular person from out of town. The gabbai will scream out "Yossele Green aus London," and the bottle will go all around the room until it gets to Yossele Green from London." He then shares it with the people around him. The same is done with some of the sheerayim. "Yosef Baum aus Bnei Brak," and it will go around until it finds him. Somehow I ended up with a good deal of beer that ended up in front of me, and I drank my share until I was almost buzzed. The singing continued, the Rebbe spoke for about twenty five minutes, and all in all it was a wonderful tonight. The Bobover tisch is an experience, but for me personally never seems to reach the intensity of a Skverer or Stoliner tisch, my two most memorable experiences. In the coming weeks I will be going to Satmar and Skver, and look forward to writing again.