Rachmastrivka is a Hasidic dynasty named after the town of Rotmistrivka, Ukraine. It is an offshoot of the Chernobyl dynasty dating back to the 19th century.
![]() Rachmastrivka Rebbe Rabbi Chai Yitzchok Twersky (far left) with the Rebbes of Chernobyl | |
Founder | |
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Rabbi Yochanan Twersky | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Israel, United States | |
Religions | |
Hasidic Judaism |
The founder of the dynasty, Rebbe Yochanan Twersky (1816-1895), was the youngest son of Rebbe Mordechai Twersky, the Maggid of Chernobyl. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Pinchos of Kalk. He died on March 29, 1895 (4 Nisan 5655) in Rachmastrivka. [1] [2]
There are currently eight rebbes, whose courts are located in Jerusalem, in Borough Park, Brooklyn, in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, in Linden, New Jersey, in Monsey, NY, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and in Spring Valley, NY. Rav Duvid is currently the Rebbe in Jerusalem, Rav Duvid Moshe Twerski is currently the Rebbe in Borough Park, Rav Yisochar Dov is currently the Rebbe in Lakewood, Rav Yehoshua is currently Rebbe in Monsey, Rav Yakov Yosef is currently Rebbe in Linden NJ, Rav Zishe is currently Rebbe in Williamsburg, Rav Menachem Nochum Twersky is currently the Rebbe in the Oak and Vine neighborhood in Lakewood, and Rav Yakov Yosef Twersky (Son of Reb Mottel, oldest son of the rabbi that died) is Rebbe in Spring Valley.
Rachmastrivka is one of the larger Hasidic groups. The two rebbes had a close relationship with no tension between them. This has continued into the next generation; the new rebbe in Jerusalem visited New York on September 14, 2006, and stayed with his uncle. [3]
Rebbe Yochanan Twersky, founder of the Rachmastrivka dynasty, was the youngest son of the Chernobler Maggid, Rebbe Mordechai Twersky. Rebbe Mordechai's father, Rebbe Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl (author of Meor Einayim), was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism.
Vizhnitz is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager. Vizhnitz is the Yiddish name of Vyzhnytsia, a town in present-day Ukraine.
Nadvorna is a Hasidic rabbinical dynasty deriving its name from the town of Nadvorna, (Nadvirna), today in Ukraine.
Skver is a Chasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twersky in the city of Skver, or Skvyra, in present-day Ukraine during the mid-19th century. Adherents of the rebbes of Skver are known as Skverer Hasidim.
Chernobyl 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. The lineage has continued to exist 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.
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Bohush is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Buhuși, Romania. The dynasty began in the mid-nineteenth century with Rabbi Yitzchok Friedman of Bohush, the eldest grandson of Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhyn, and was based in that town until 1951, when his great-grandson, Rabbi Yitzchok Friedman of Bohush-Tel Aviv, moved the dynasty to Tel Aviv. In 1987 the Bohush beis medrash was transferred to Bnei Brak, where the dynasty is led today by Rabbi Yaakov Mendel Friedman, a great-great-grandson of the first Bohusher Rebbe.
Makarov is a Hasidic dynasty founded by the Rebbe Menachem Nochum Twerski of the Chernobyl dynasty. Makarov is the Yiddish name of Makariv, a town in present-day Ukraine. To this day, the Mekarev Shul is used in the old City of Safed for Shabbat Prayers by the Yeshiva Shalom Rav.
Izhbitza-Radzin is the name of a dynasty of Hasidic rebbes. The first rebbe of this dynasty was Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner, author of Mei Hashiloach, in the city of Izhbitza. Mordechai Yosef founded his own Hasidic movement in the year 5600 (1839), leaving the court of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk.
Hornosteipel is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yaakov Yisroel Twerski. Hornosteipel is the Yiddish name of Hornostaypil, a town in present-day Ukraine.
The Trisk dynasty is a Volyn Hasidic dynasty, a branch of the Chernobyl dynasty, originating in Turiisk, Ukraine. The rebbes of the court also served in Poland, before the Second World War it was a large court of some 20,000 Hasidim (followers).
Skulen (סקולען) Hasidic dynasty was founded by Rav Eliezer Zusia Portugal. It was headed by his son, Rav Yisroel Avrohom Portugal until his death on April 1, 2019. Its name is originated from Sculeni, a town in Bessarabia where Rabbi Eliezer Zusia was born and served as rabbi.
Vien (וויען) is a Rabbinical hasidic dynasty originating in present-day Vienna. The previous rav of Vien was Rav Chaim Z. Hersh Zegelbaum of Brooklyn, New York. He was a descendant of Rav Menachem Mendel Stern (1759–1834) of Sighet, author of Derech Emunah.
Rabbi Yitzchok Friedman was founder and first Rebbe of the Boyan Hasidic dynasty. He was known as the Pachad Yitzchok.
Shpikov is a Hasidic dynasty originating in Shpykiv. The dynasty is derived from the Skver dynasty, which in turn is derived from the Chernobyl dynasty.
Mordechai Hager was the rebbe of the Hasidic sect of Vizhnitz for 46 years.