Showing posts with label Chassidut Gur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chassidut Gur. Show all posts

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The SEFAT EMET on Parashat TOLDOT


The sky over Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke
B"H

I was planning a much more detailed Torah Parasha but the rocket attacks on Israel became a higher priority. Especially the three people who got killed by rockets this morning: A Chabad family staying in the Negev town of Kiryat Malachi. The family living in India and involved in Chabad outreach had only come to Israel in order to give birth to their baby.

The main incident in this week's Parasha TOLDOT is Yitzchak blessing Yaakov and not Esav. Rivka (Rebecca) had told her favourite son Yaakov to wear Esav's clothes and get the blessing of the firstborn from his father. Were Rivka and Yaakov cheating ?

The SEFAT EMET (the former Gerrer Rebbe Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, 1847 - 1905) sees the "hidden G - d" all over this Parasha. G - d is hiding everywhere in this world. In any incident happening to us, everywhere we go. Most of the time we don't even realize it neither do we think about G - d being involved. How can He be involved if I am not getting the job I applied for, the husband / wife I wanted or a lottery win ? Because G - d knows what you should get and what is good for you. Thus, He acts in hidden manners in order to get you onto the right path. 

The job you really really wouldn't have turned out to be too for you in the end. Rivka knew the result in case Yitzchak was blessing Esav first. So, she had to take action and this is where G - d shows His hidden face. 

Our task is to seek for the hidden G - d in our daily lives and everywhere in this world in order to get closer to Him. The difference between G - d and us is that He sees the whole picture and we only see a small part of it.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Photos: "Mea Shearim after Rosh Hashana"

B"H

So, how was my Rosh Hashana ? Awful, as I had caught a flue virus. It all started a day before Rosh Hashana. Suddenly I felt a pain in my throat and then fever and a cough came along. Now I am still coughing and sneezing all the time but my condition is improving. At least, the fever seems to be gone.

I was staying at home and hardly did anything but rest. Now am trying to concentrate on Yom Kippur and to overcome my demand for medication and tissues.:-)

I had something to do in Mea Shearim this morning and took a few photos on the way. Here is the result:



Kapparot Announcement



It seems as if the Sukkah building is starting earlier every year. I remember that more than 13 years ago, most Jerusalemites (incl. Haredim) started building their Sukkah on Mozzae'i Yom Kippur. This year, however, plenty of Sukkot are almost finished. Not only in Mea Shearim but also in secular parts of town.



Sukkah in Yoel Street (Mea Shearim)



Kikar Supnik and Dushinsky building a gigantic Sukkah





Balcony Sukkah in Mea Shearim Street / Jerusalem



Chassidut Gur (Ger) seemed to have had a wild Rosh Hashana Se'udah and apparently dumped all the trash on the pavement across their Beit Midrash in Ge'ulah.



The Sukkah of Chassidut Gur in Sefat Emet Street

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The Spies, the Jews and the Ge’ulah


 Seen in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke
B"H  

This week’s Torah Parasha is called SHLACH LECHA (literally: send to you). G – d didn’t command Moshe sending out spies to Eretz Israel but the people wanted to know where they are going to. In the end, Moshe made up his mind and sent out the spies turning out to be a big mistake. 

The Sefat Emet (Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, a former Gerrer Rebbe who lived from 1847–1905) brings up an interesting thought in his commentary on the Parasha. He says that the Jews were not ready yet entering the land. For whatever reason but it just wasn’t their time. 

The same happens with our present exile (Galut): If the Jews really desire to return to G – d, He would bring us a speedy and immediate redemption (Ge’ulah). At first, things may seem to move slowly. Just like the Jews in the desert wandering around for 40 years. However, suddenly there could be a fast change and G – d just causes things to happen within a second. The same with Meshiach: First nothing seems to happen and suddenly everything goes so fast we would have never dreamt of. 

This is just a brief idea but I would like to mention another thought: The question is whether the Jews used their G – dgiven FREE WILL by asking to send out the spies. So, did Moshe use his FREE WILL by giving in. The spies, on the other hand, where also using their FREE WILL. Did everything just depend on the FREE WILL or was it all G – d’s plan ? Nevertheless, when using our FREE WILL we should do this with using our Chochmah (Wisdom) and not by following our own preferences in life, as this may have caused the spies to give a negative report.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A model of the SEFAT EMET's Beit Midrash








A model of the Gerrer (Gur) Beit Midrash in Gur / Poland. The original building was built by the Sefat Emet and existed until the Germans destroyed it during the Second World War. 

You can find today's model off Jaffa Road in Jerusalem. Near the Machane Yehudah Market on the way down to Ge'ulah. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Chassidut Gur and its Sex Takanot

B"H 

People who are interested in extreme chassidic groups always concentrate on the members of the Edah HaCharedit without realizing that one of the most secret groups is Chassidut Gur and not necessarily the Toldot Aharon. The truth is that no Gerrer Chassid will ever publish the group's Takanot. Women are not even allowed to discuss their marriage details with their friends. 

Israel's left - wing newspaper HAARETZ published an article on the gender separation in Gur:


One has to understand that Gur is not only afraid of immodesty between men and women but of potential homosexual reationships between its Chassidim. This is the reason why already teenage Chassidim have to follow strict rules in order to prevent any temptation.

One of the former Rebbes, the Beit Israel, introduced a certain Takana husband and wife have to follow. I don't have any proof for this claim but the result of this particular Takana was that Gur founded its own Beit Yaakov. In order to prepare the girls for keeping this one sexual Takana. 

My personal claim is that young Gerrer women may even be unaware of this Takana, as it actually only concerns men. As a woman you don't know that something may be missing while having sex. The male Chassidim have to keep this rule and not the women. 

Other chassidic groups do not have such a rule and due to that rule, no women from other groups would agree marrying a Gerrer Chassid. However, it is Gur's business what they are doing and, as a person from the outside, I shouldn't judge. On the other hand, Gerrer Chassidim are humans and humans tend to break rules. If there is a Gerrer Chassid who finds the right wife, they could break the sex Takana and keep quiet. If the Rebbe doesn't know - so, who would mind ?

Monday, January 23, 2012

A little GUR (Ger) Propaganda

B"H 

Chassidut GUR (Yiddish: GER) is the largest chassidic group in Israel. The Gerrer Rebbe lives in Bnei Brak but his largest Beit Midrash is located in Jerusalem. When you speak to a Gerrer Chassid and mention the Belzer, he will tell you that Gur is much more important than any Belzer or Vishnitzer in Israel.:-) 

Gur has very strict rules and too many outsiders are making the mistake by only looking at the Toldot Aharon, Satmar or any other member of the "Edah HaCharedit".The best books about Gur have been written by the Gerrer Chassid Yitzchak Alfassi who was also teaching at Tel Aviv University. 

Gur is a very closed society and it is almost impossible making the members talk about their own inner matters. Female members are not even allowed to talk to their friends about any insights on their marriage.

Today, Gur is a powerful group and the Rebbe is one of the wealthiest people in the country. Furthermore, Gur with Yaakov Litzman, is running the show of the Knesset party "Yahadut HaTorah".  

More details on GUR:

http://shearim.blogspot.com/search/label/Chassidut%20Gur 



The Gur girl's seminary "Beit Yaakov" in Bnei Brak





Photos: Miriam Woelke

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The SEFAT EMET on Parashat VAYECHI

B"H 

One of the greatest religious problems is that people fear having a relationship with God and consequently distance themselves from Him. Just as angels serve God without fear despite their lower status in comparison to God, so too human beings should take their model (walk amongst them) and not be afraid of developing a relationship with God and serving Him. This represents a wholeness that we as human beings are capable of only if we think of ourselves as walking amongst angels. (Sfas Emes, Parshat Beha'alotecha 5636)

This particular statement from the SEFAT EMET always reminds me of my own resentment of getting closer to G – d. I do have the will and carry out Mitzvot but, many times, it comes to the point that I fall back and escape from getting too close. I suppose the reason is my fear of ending up like THIS again. And this is also the reason why I live in Tel Aviv and not in Jerusalem anymore. 
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Photo: Miriam Woelke

One of my favourite Torah commentators is the Sefat Emet, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, 1847 - 1905. He gives an amazing insight into this week's Parashat Vayechi: 

"Yaakov lived in the Land of Egypt" (Gen. 47:28). 

With the quality of truth you can live even in the land of Egypt. Yaakov was truly alive there, meaning being attached to the root and source from which the life - force flows. Nothing in this world, not even suffering, should keep us away from clinging to the creator. No matter where we are. 

Even though he was in Egypt, he knew that the entire country was just a hiding "shell", inside which there was nothing but that divine life - force. This is why the sages say that the wicked are called dead in their lifetimes. Because they are separated from the source of life. 

Rashi says that Yaakov was about to reveal the end; the time when Meshiach is arriving. Yaakov was in his height of prophecy when he spoke to his sons before he died. But in the end, all those further prophecies were hidden from him. 

Yaakov wanted to make it clear that exile (Galut) is just a matter of hiding, and that the power within comes only from G - d. But had this been revealed, there would have been no exile at all, so it was hidden. The kabbalistic Zohar tells us that Yaakov revealed what he wanted but in a hidden way.
__________________

Source:

"The Language of Truth"
The Torah Commentary of the Sefat Emet
Translated and interpreted by Arthur Green

Link:

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

American Neturei Karta versus Gur and Belz

B"H 

The two chassidic groups Gur and Belz are members of the Knesset party "Yahadut HaTorah" and this is why the Neturei Karta is protesting. Gur and Belz would work together with Israel's Zionist government. 


The problem is that those Neturei Karta guys have no idea about what is going on in Israel !

Friday, November 11, 2011

Toldot Aharon versus Gur

B”H 

Most Mea Shearim visitors are fascinated and sometimes even overwhelmed by the ultra - Orthodox neighbourhood. By the way, Mea Shearim is not the only haredi neighbourhood in Jerusalem but probably the most famous one. 

Especially one chassidic group is getting the most attention: The TOLDOT AHARON (although their spilt - off, the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak, is not less popular and famous).   


The Toldot Aharon


One of the reasons why almost all visitors are anxious to see the Toldot Aharon may be their way of life. Furthermore, the Toldot Aharon have been in the media with positive and negative headlines. Nevertheless, they are not the most extreme in Mea Shearim !

It may be the old "Yerushalmi" dress of the Toldot Aharon causing lots of attraction. Maybe their strict internal laws "Takanot" or their way of sticking together and supporting each other in any way. The Toldot Aharon erected a kind of a shield around their yard (Chatzer) and everything external has to remain outside. According to their Takanot, members are not allowed to have friends from the outside but only from the group itself. 

This kind of "isolation" does cause the attention of the outside world and manyy people are being fascinated by that. Many among those fascinated are Ba'alei Teshuva. On the other hand, students or even university professors get the feeling to investigate and research the Toldot Aharon in order to write a publication and thus earn a reputation and money.

People think that uncovering the Toldot Aharon will get them some level of fame but they are mistaken. Women shaving their heads are not that interesting anymore and even the Belzer or other chassidic women have a bald head. 

If someone really intends to research secret chassidic groups he shouldn't choose the Toldot Aharon but Chassidut GUR. The Gerrer Chassidim are the chassidic majority in Israel and it is basically impossible to get any detailed information about what is going on inside the group. Let alone getting hold of their Takanot. Chassidut Gur has money and the Gerrer Rebbe is one of the richest people in Israel. The Gerrer Chassid, Yaakov Litzman, is a minister in Netanyahu's cabinet or generally speaking, Gur has power in Israel but, at the same time, remains a secret society.


Sunday, October 9, 2011

The OR HACHAIM bookstore in Mea Shearim

B"H

Remember the fuss between the Sikarikim and the Mea Shearim bookstore OR HACHAIM ?  The Sikarikim demanded from the shop owners who are Gerrer Chassidim, to put a modesty sign into the shopwindow. Furthermore, all English books (including ARTSCROLL editions) were supposed to disappear, as the Sikarikim suspected English books containing Zionist content. After all kinds of vandalism, the bookstore made an agreement with the Sikarikim. However, no modesty sign has been set up and the store is still selling English books. Just recently, the Sikarikim started a new attack on the shop and, later on, one of the Sikarikim, Shalom Baruch Rost, got arrested in Bnei Brak. Rost lives in Mea Shearim and seems to be known for his violence against certain bookstores. Among others, the OR HACHAIM store in his own neighbourhood. 


The Sikariki getting arrested


Today, I went to the bookstore with a friend and everything seems to be normal from the outside. There is still no modesty sign in the window and I walked in wearing jeans. No one said a word or even bothered. OR HACHAIM was quite full and English ARTSCROLL books were available all over the place. My friend was looking for a Sukkot Machzor but eventually bought an English edition about Rabbi Eliezer Schach. I chose the Iggeret of the Ramban and a totally frum calendar. 

It is a very nice book store with reasonable prices. Lots of Anglo Yeshiva customers as well as seminary girls. If you walk in and are looking for a specific book, one of the sales people is American and thus is able to help you in English. The service is friendly and I didn't see anything immodest going on. OR HACHAIM is simply a very nice bookstore with a great variety of Sifrei Koidesh. Nothing to worry about and I am definitely going back. 

Here are some pictures from today:



The bookstore from the outside



  
OR HACHAIM from the inside



Photos: Miriam Woelke

Links: 



Pictures of the OR HACHAIM bookstore in Mea Shearim

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Entrance to the Gerrer (Gur) Beit Midrash in Ge'ulah / Jerusalem


The men's entrance to the Gerrer (Gur) Beit Midrash in the Ge'ulah neighbourhood in Jerusalem. Location: Malchei Israel Street. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke


Monday, September 5, 2011

Pictures: The "Or HaChaim" Bookstore in Mea Shearim

B"H 

Last Friday, just a few minutes before Shabbat came in, the Sikarikim succeeded in destroying the shopwindow of the "Or HaChaim" bookstore whose owners belong to Chassidut Gur. The broken window could only be replaced after Shabbat. 

I went to Mea Shearim today and took a few photos of the bookstore. Before getting there, I purchased two books in my favourite store. Not the "Or Chaim" but a different one where the owner lets in all customers. I was wearing jeans but there was no fuss, no nothing. 

Further down in Mea Shearim Street is the location of the "Or HaChaim" store with its new shopwindows.


Mea Shearim Street towards the "Or HaChaim" bookstore.





Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Sarah Einfeld on "Wearing a Skirt"

B"H

The GUR runaway Sarah Einfeld sent me a link to her latest article on the secular Israeli news site YNET:


The text is in HEBREW only but I put the whole articles through Google and this is what came out in English:

Sarah Einfeld (see photo left) writes:

We sat in long rows. I'm friendly classroom, seminar building.

Pale faces, no views, templates informed and heavy limbs. Prayer, the rate, the rate of a giggle. Social Josepha Le tried to swing really hard in prayer. Strongest. She grimaced and put them in suits in Serial Machtam with tears. You could see clearly that even Matchmaker did not miss the heart rending scene has a term price Prepare meeting, Kingfisher on Stander wormy, wigs dancing mischievously at the thought of the wonderful house of Torah together with Joseph, it justified a woman of valor.

Dear jury, how about underwear?

Lesson, the teacher, tenderness on her face, tells us: "Dear girls. Have any job in the world. Be a woman follower. That supports and encourages a woman gives birth, spiritual and hired these worldly things will be very high in the sky! (Maod! What else! added the teacher, but I ages .)

So, I'm sure you all will be built, so loud that the role of wife and mother and respected in Israel, does not pass in silence, and now here, has been dancing here in the devil, when he sees you, so modest and kindness, but short enough not wigs. Girls expensive. Short wig is not narrow! Little wig - happy here! Shows long? Alas, A - Welcome! Natural wig? Look terrifying! Attractive design? Lion bites! Compatible internal basis scalp? You burn in hell!

And on and on favorite teacher said. Increased by moving it, I was called to the principal charges of very bitter which I've not Abcdyia. "Your socks do not match the policy seminar," she said.

"But then they write" I quoted: "40 Daner Abeim, cover the knee, hazy sky brown color and not taste rains, long hairs below as required."

"They do not", she told me. "For you 40 Daner is not good enough. That you have legs like minutes."

Degree minute legs, long thick texture color form sufficient flexibility clothes, appearance sync with policies along with the legendary law, are those associated with the majority of my childhood, a relentless pursuit. Most of my grace rash, I've spent on clothes. How I dress. What about what, how long and what, what's better than what bother the teacher, what yards the manager, what would be glad to matchmakers.

Of course, every comma clothing had its own significance. Too long skirt was also not accepted by the best man in my town clergy flowers law, because it is reminiscent of the National Service girls, Phew. Cloth handkerchief to cover their head and reminds Spanish Phew, red costume reminds them of blueberries, Phew. I knew I knew the son, more clothes that match the requirements, so I better justify more than worth living at all.

Recently I received a reprimand from a legal nice, surprisingly, rather female, who told me self-righteous tone (while wearing a pair of black trousers and wonderful sight) - why not send the child to a religious school like her father wanted? (He came to see her about 3 times a year or so and it is not so) so what? Wear a skirt to receive it! What's so bad about that?

Well, what's bad? She would not let me reply, so I'll do it here.

What's bad? Terrible to think I gave birth Atathanach evaluate people by their clothing. Slbegied imagine any mad at my child will be particularly important, than the love of others or the values ​​of companies. That you tag people as equals less than because they pants, she saw her mother (the I) trying to curry favor with the school, not by content or values, or because the occupying personality (and I have one, check out this), but, by wearing a special skirt. As if to say our house we do not something like that, troubled, for you we make a big show of the better people wearing a skirt, as we all know immediately changes the brain structure and thinking person's mind, graduate, consider responsible for the educated.

So they have my skirt a little more probably they will be in his underwear. It probably will not calm down. I am ashamed that these are the general topic of conversation and in court! Felt a deep contempt for all who claim to represent the interests of the child "instead of atoning this country where a child goes to sleep crying at night because her father had to come and come, legal experts dealing with far-reaching and important questions to the death of floral skirts and saddle taxes.

This entry probably will not my big makeover. But it's the real story. Small, composed of scraps of fabric skirts, small smiles of cornflakes with milk spilled on the carpet and left a sour smell of the soft morning air. I? Just sit quietly and write bits of pieces of madness trying to send the holy provinces intrusive hands of life.


Further Links:

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Lipa Schmeltzer: Oi How Good It Is To Be A Yid

B"H

Its the first time ever I see the Gerrer Rebbe swinging !


Thursday, March 31, 2011

The SEFAT EMET on Parashat Tazria - פרשת תזריע


The Torah commentary of the "Sefat Emet"

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

The Sefat Emet brings up a great thought on this week's Parashat Tazria. He refers to the human arrogance and it is very true what he says: Every human being should be aware of the fact that EVERYTHING in this world finds its roots in G - D. Those humans accepting this particular fact then know that it was G - d creating all existence and that there is no reason for us to be arrogant. How can anyone be arrogant when absolutely nothing belongs to him but to the Creator ?

Of course, we can claim that we work and it is us making an effort in life. When we finally reach our goals, get university degrees, professions, a new house or car, it was us earning the money and putting work into reaching the goal. On the other hand we have to realize that it was G - d creating us with the strength, intelligence and all our abilities.


The Torah commentary of the "Sefat Emet"

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Friday, January 28, 2011

Shabbat Shalom


Breslover Chassidim in Downtown Tel Aviv.

Photo: Miriam Woelke


B"H

Sometimes I need the feeling that I am still alive ! Besides religion, creativity is giving me this feeling and where in Israel do you find more creativity than in Tel Aviv ? Not always in a positive way, as Mea Shearim faints as soon as the word "Tel Aviv" appears. Argghhh, sin city. Nevertheless, anyone looking for positive actions will also find them here.

I have noticed that I still have many hits on my articles about the Gerrer runaway Sarah Einfeld and I have been thinking about calling her up in order to ask her for an update. Last night, I was checking my e - mails on Gmail and suddenly I found Sarah chatting with me. She said she is fine and still alive. Hopefully we will meet some time next week or, at least soon. It is not that I feel the urge writing about her, as I do understand her. She used her free choice and is happy with it. When we meet next time it is probably more talking about private matters than the intention of preparing an article. However, I am going to write a short follow up on her. 

"Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to everyone !


Links: 

I have never promised you a rose garden

Sarah Einfeld, a former Gerrer Chassidah

Meeting Sarah Einfeld

Friday, December 10, 2010

Thoughts on Parshat Vayigash

B"H

For some reason, I have no talent to connect to Yoseph and the Parashat dealing with him. I am always leaving out Miketz, Vayigash and Vayechi and wait until Shemot. Then I am happy again.:-)

Nevertheless, I collected two thoughts about Parashat Vayigash. One from the Baal Shem Tov and the second from the Sfat Emet (1847 - 1905, a former Gerrer Rebbe). Both great Rabbis were referring to the first word in the Parasha: "And Yehudah approached Yoseph ...." Yehudah's speech was actually quite brave because in those days, you didn't just approach the second man behind Paraoh. However, Yehudah pulled himself together and told Yoseph the truth. Yehudah was worried and how should he explain all this to his father Yaakov who still suffered from Yoseph's "death" ?

The Baal Shem Tov says that in every sorrow, we still find a holy spark. In every sorrow we find G - d but we have to look for Him, as He is disguising Himself. G - d is in every little thing in this world. He fills out the whole world and there is nothing without Him.

What we have to do when something negative is happening or about to happen, we have to pray because G - d is the only one who can change His decree. Who is able to turn bad into good.

The Sfat Emet wrote that Yehudah found his EMET ! Each person is responsible for his soul. Meaning bringing the soul back to the creator. The Sfat Emet compares Yehudah's truth with true repentance. A Jew who sinned is still a Jew and always able to regret and return to G - d. What we have to do is realizing our potential within us. The best day for doing so is Shabbat.

With these great words and ideas I wish you all a great Shabbat, Shabbat Shalom and Gut Schabbes !"

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The SEFAT EMET on CHANUKKAH

B"H

The Sefat Emet (a previous Gerrer Rebbe Yehudah Aryeh Alter) is providing us with a few Chanukkah insights:

Generally speaking, Chanukkah is seen as a time of renewal. When the Jews fought the idol - worshipping Greeks, "Klal Israel - all Jews" found a closer connection to its / their national ties. The miracle of the Menorah was a demonstration of G - d's pleasure and a rededication of the Second Temple.

Every individual Jew perceiving the Chanukkah miracle enjoys the annual opportunity to start fresh, to begin anew. The Second Temple was defiled but a miracle happened. So, too, every Jew, no matter how much he has gone astray, can return to his heritage every Chanukkah.

The light of Torah is unable to fully penetrate certain souls even on Shabbat. These Jews who are not inspired by the weekly Shabbat are spiritually moved by the yearly observance of Chanukkah. A certain spark, an inner purity, always remains burning bright in the heart of every Jew. This spark, knows as the "Nekudah HaPnimit", constrained all year from permeating the Jewish psyche, is liberated on Chanukkah through the power of "Hallel veHoda'ah", praise and gratitude for the miracles that occurred at this time.

The same progress of renewal and growth that occurred at the time of the Chanukkah miracle will also occur prior to Meshiach's arrival. Certainly, Meshiach's arrival will hasten this progress. Despite our shortcomings, when the Final redemption (Ge'ulah) will occur, a radical transformation will take place. Meaning, we will gain spiritual perfection.

Chanukkah also serves as an ideal occasion to teach once again the need for conscientious observance of the Mitzvot. The previous generation, heavenly influenced by Hellenistic values, had become lax in its commitment.

By observing Chanukkah, Israel not only prepares for Meshiach's arrival, but also for the festivals associated with that era. The Midrash (Yalkut Yeshayahu) relates that during the messianic era, the Jews will visit the Third Temple very Rosh Chodesh (beginning of the new Jewish month). In preparation for these future festivals, G - d initiated the contemporary holiday of Chanukkah.
________________________

Source:

"Days of Joy"
Ideas and Insights of the
Sefat Emet on Chanukkah and Purim

Author: Rabbi Yosef Stern

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

EMET (TRUTH) in Chassidut Gur

B"H

Many chassidic groups have chosen a special concept they particularly like to emphasize. For instance, in Satmar it is Chesed (kindness), in Vishnitz it is "Ahavat Israel" - the love to Eretz Israel in connection with the Torah - and in Gur (Yiddish: Ger) it is EMET (TRUTH).

I spoke to a Gerrer Chassid yesterday and asked him about the concept. What does it actually mean EMET ? To what kind of a TRUTH are they referring to ?

Besides from somebody not telling the truth, EMET has the following meaning:

A Gerrer Chassid (as every other Jew as well) should be honest and truthful with himself. If he wants to get closer to G - d, so he should do the approach in a serious truthful matter and not just do a little here and a little there. The concept of TRUTH stands for a sincere relationship with G - d and oneself searching for such a relationship.