Mordechai Twersky
Mordechai Tverskyy (1770–1837), known as the Maggid of Chornobyl, was a Ukrainian rabbi. He was the son of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Tverskyy of Chornobyl and the second rebbe of the Chornobyl Hasidic dynasty. (The family surname originally comes from Tiberias, as in Lake Tiberias). All of his sons served as rebbes, from whom several branches of Hasidism emerged today, including thousands of Chasidim, including Skver, Chornobyl and Rakhmastrivka.
Mordechai Twersky | |
|---|---|
 The tziun (mausoleum) of the Maggid of Chornobyl | |
| Title | Chornobyler Maggid |
| Personal | |
| Born | Mordechai Tverskyy 1770 |
| Died | 1837 (20 Iyar 5597) |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Spouse | Chaya Soro (daughter of Aharon of Karlin), Feygele (daughter of Dovid Leikes) |
| Children | Aaron Tverskyy of Chornobyl Moshe Tverskyy of Korostyshiv Yaakov Yisroel Tverskyy of Cherkasy Malka, Menachem Nochum Tverskyy of Makariv Avrohom Tverskyy of Trisk Dovid Tverskyy of Talne Yitschok Tverskyy of Skvira Yochonon Tverskyy of Rakhmastrivka Chana Chaya Tverskyy |
| Parents |
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| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Menachem Nachum Tverskyy |
| Successor | Aaron Tverskyy of Chornobyl |
| Began | 1798 |
| Ended | 1837 |
| Main work | Likutei Tora |
| Buried | Hnativka, near Kyiv |
| Dynasty | Chornobyl |
Biography
Tverskyy was born in Chornobyl to Sarah and Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chornobyl, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezhyrichi and author of the book "Me'or Einayim".
Tverskyy married Chaya Sara the daughter of Rabbi Aharon of Karlin; after her death he married Faiga the daughter of Rabbi Dovid Leykes who was a student of the Baal Shem Tov. He had eight sons and one daughter. His sons became prominent rebbes and were a part of the effort in spreading Chasidus throughout Ukraine.
Rabbi Mordechai had many Hasidim and many towns appointed him as their "Magid Meisharim". Among his students are Rabbi Yisrael Dov of Vilednik and Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritsch.
According to Hasidic thought, Tverskyy was in charge of sustaining all the Tzadikim Nistarim (hidden tzaddikim) in his generation. Throughout his life Tverskyy collected large amounts of charity, and before his death he regretted not collecting even more than he did.
His thoughts, sermons and discourses were published in his book Likutei Torah, which was praised by other famous Chassidic leaders. In 2001, the book was reprinted in a revised edition, with the addition of index, called "Likutei Torah Ha-Shalem".
Throughout his teachings, Tverskyy stressed the importance of pure speech and pure thought as a condition for a proper prayer connection. He also spoke of including all Jewish souls in one's prayer, even evil people. By doing so, evil people will stand a better chance of repenting (teshuvah).
His nephew (grandson of his brother-in-law Rabbi Avraham of Korostyshiv) Rabbi Yisrael of Rizhin named one of his sons Mordechai, while Rabbi Mordechai of Chornobyl was still alive, apparently in contradiction to Ashkenazi Jewish tradition which does not name children after living relatives. Asked about this, Rabbi Yisrael replied: "Our uncle from Chornobyl is already a few years above this world, as if he is not in this world." Tverskyy died a few years later in May 1837,[1] exactly at the same date that Mordechai (Rabbi Mordechai Fayvush of Husyatyn) was born, on the 35th day of the Sefiras Haomer.
While still alive, Tverskyy prepared his place of rest on the outskirts of the village of Hnativka (also known as Anatevka), near Kyiv. He selected such a place: "because there is no house of idol worship, and the sound of impure bells won't disturb my rest in the grave". Indeed, his gravesite overlooks pastoral hills and the river.
Throughout his life Rabbi Mordechai collected large amounts of money for tzedakah (charity), but before his death he regretted not collecting even more than he did. His thoughts, sermons and discourses were published in his book Likutei Torah, which was praised for its holiness by other Hasidic leaders. Throughout his teachings, Rabbi Mordechai stressed the importance of pure speech and pure thought as a condition for a proper prayer connection. He also spoke of including all Jewish souls in one's prayer, even evil people. By doing so, evil people will stand a better chance of repenting (teshuvah).
All of Rebbe Mordechai's eight sons became rebbes in different cities.
References
- החסידות (in Hebrew) (2nd ed.). 1977. p. 64.
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