photographs by Nino Shaye Weiss
Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twerski, Chernobyl-Loiev Rebbe of Bnei Brak, son of Rebbe Meshulam Zusha of Chernobyl-Loiev and brother of Grand Rabbi Yeshaya Twerski, Chernobyl-Loiev Rebbe of Boro Park, son of Rebbe Meshulam Zusha of Chernobyl-Loiev.
Chernobyl (Yiddish: טשערנאָביל) is a Hasidic dynasty that was founded by Grand Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky, known by the name of his work as the Meor Einayim. The dynasty is named after the northern Ukrainian town of Chernobyl, where Rabbi Nachum served as the maggid (lit. '[communal] preacher’). The attribution of Chernobyl Hasidism continued from the second generation of Hasidic Judaism to the present day. Chernobyl is considered one of the famous courts of the Hasidic movement. The lineage has existed to this day, although not always with the name Chernobyl. Today there are several rebbes named Chernobyl. The central court is in Bnei Brak, headed by Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky.
The name “Chernobyl dynasty” is also used as a general term for the sects of the descendants of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl; the dynasties of Chernobyl, Skver, Trisk, Rachmastrivka, Hornosteipel, and in the past even the dynasties of Machnovka (today this court practices Belz customary), Makarov and Shpikov and the dynasties that branched out of these dynasties.
[Wikipedia “Chernobyl (Hasidic dynasty)“] 1
Chernobler Rebbe Tells Chossid: Take My Picture So You Can Make Parnassah
A chossid of the Chernobler Rebbe complained to his manhig about the difficulties he’s experiencing in making living.
The Rebbe asked the chossid what his profession is. The chossid said that he is a professional photographer, but that there is little demand for this type of work in the chareidi community.
The Rebbe’s response demonstrates the righteousness of the leader who changed his habit to help the livelihood of his chossid.
The Rebbe, who is known, like other admorim including the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, to shun having his picture taken, told the chossid, “Take my picture. Maybe it can help you make a living.”
The chossid explained to the Rebbe that a proper picture is taken in a studio with the appropriate lighting and background.
The Rebbe, whose every minute is so precious, joined his chossid at a studio for an hour, allowing his follower to take his picture so he can sell it and make some money.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
[Yair Alpert on Matzav.com Israel: Chernobler Rebbe Tells Chossid: Take My Picture So You Can Make Parnassah] 2
So, a decade after the facts, here’s a selection of the photographs I took back then in our Bnei Brak photo studio.
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