יום חמישי י"ח באדר ב תשפ"ד 28/03/2024
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  • The Mission Continues

    As in the past so it remains today - we were and still are under the selfsame commitment to adhere to the directions of the Gedolei Yisrael, who stand guard against breaches of purity threatening our camp. When we were required to ask – we asked. When we were instructed to depart – we left. The moment we are summoned back to raise the flag, every other consideration is pushed to the side and we answer: We are ready!

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בראי היום

  • Harav Yisrael Friedman zy”a, the Rebbe of Husyatin

    מוטי, ויקיפדיה העברית

    The ancestral chain of Harav Yisrael Friedman, the founder of the Husyatin chassidic court, originates with the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Husyatin chassidus has its roots in Galicia and eventually came to Tel Aviv, during the turbulent years between the two World Wars.

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  • Maccabi'im Gravesite

    In honour of Chanukah, we will discuss a fascinating, ongoing investigation attempting to establish the place of burial of Mattisyahu Kohen Gadol and his family.

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Reflections

The Chassidic Dynasty of Buhush

Founded by the great master Rebbe Yitzchak Friedman zt’l as an offshoot of the royal house of Ruzhin, the Chassidic Court of Buhush represents a crowning glory to the world of Chassid

Motti Meringer 09/08/2009 12:00
After the passing of the saintly Admor, Rebbe Yisrael Friedman zt’l of Ruzhin, his sons and grandsons continued the chain of leadership and established many Chassidic courts. His sons Rebbe Shalom Yosef zt’l and Rebbe Avraham Yaakov zt’l held court in Sadigur, the town where their holy father served before them. Rebbe Menachem Nachum zt’l served in Shtefenesht, Rebbe Dovid Moshe zt’l in Tchortkov and Rebbe Mordechai Shraga Feivush zt’l established his own court in Huseitin. A number of other courts, including Boyan and Vasloi, were also founded by descendents of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin.

One of the grandchildren of the Ruzhiner was Rebbe Yitzchak Friedman zt’l, the first Rebbe in the dynasty of Buhush. Rebbe Yitzchak was a son of the eldest son of Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin – Rav Shalom Yosef Friedman zt’l. When Rebbe Yitzchak was only seventeen years of age his father tragically passed away, after which the boy moved into the home of his grandfather – his mother’s father in the town of Putik, which is situated near the city Czaranowitz.

Rebbe Yitzchak began to serve as Rebbe whilst still in his grandfather’s hometown, Putik, and later moved his court to Ismail. Eventually he set down roots in the town of Buhush, Romania, after which the dynasty is named.

An illuminating story surrounds the arrival of the holy Rebbe Yitzchak in the town of Buhush. When the townspeople heard that this great Tzaddik was to settle there, they were jubilant and planned to erect a large study hall in the center of the town, as befitting a Rebbe from the distinguished line of Ruzhin. After finalizing the plans with the contractors, they realized that without a permit from the Poritz – the local squire - they could not begin to build. At the time the town Buhush was under the jurisdiction of a Poritz named Moldovski, an evil character who was the cause of much trouble to the Jews under his domain. Apprehensively, the Askanim (activists) of the town arrived at Moldovski’s mansion and requested an audience. Entering a luxuriously appointed lounge they presented him with their request; the Poritz took one look at the plans and declared that not for any price in the world would a study house such as this be built in the town of Buhush.
The Askanim tried to convince the Poritz that the building would draw more Jews to the town which would in turn fill his coffers; they even resorted to bribery in the hope that it would blind his eyes to his own hatred – but to no avail. When the Askanim saw that the stubborn Poritz wouldn’t budge, they left the mansion and returned home in low spirits. They told Rebbe Yitzchak what had transpired, and he turned to them and said – “Don’t worry; with G-d’s help the matter will be resolved”.

Those present wondered at the Rebbe’s cryptic remark, and their puzzlement only increased a few days later during a crucial meeting between the heads of the community. They had convened to discuss ideas with regards to obtaining the elusive permit, and suddenly Rebbe Yitzchak entered the room and asked: is anyone here familiar with Poritz Moldovski? A wealthy merchant arose and affirmed that he was, indeed, well acquainted with the Poritz and his ways. Rebbe Yitzchak turned to the merchant and asked if the Poritz enjoyed hunting. The merchant replied that he was not aware that the Poritz was particularly enamored of the sport. Rebbe Yitzchak asked, perhaps he enjoys drinking? Does he crave intoxicating drinks? To which the merchant again replied in the negative. Rebbe Yitzchak probed further - what then does the Poritz enjoy? Perhaps card games, gambling? At this the merchant excitedly recalled that indeed, the Poritz was a well known gambler and addicted to the game. Hearing this response the Rebbe smiled and turned to leave the room, remarking to the small gathering - If so, go home in peace… Hashem will help.

Whilst the assembled were left to wonder over the Rebbe’s enigmatic words, events were taking shape that would reveal in but a few days the prophetic nature of the Rebbe’s words. An old friend of the Poritz – likewise a Poritz by the name of Jabozonski – decided to pay him a visit. The two old friends sat and dined together, until Jabozonski declared utter exhaustion due his long and tedious journey, and requested to retire. Contrary to all standards of etiquette, Moldovski insisted that his guest indulge him in a game of cards. Jabozonski felt unable to refuse his host, and the two squires began to play.

In a game of gambling, the players wager on a certain sum of money, which the winner receives. Moldovski and Jabozonski sat across from each other, with the money placed before them on the table. In the first game Poritz Moldovski lost the money to his friend; and in the second round he lost again. So it was game after game - Moldovski lost and tried again, until the sum he owed had accumulated alarmingly. The guest, Jabozonski, felt bad about the situation whereby he was impoverishing his host, and suggested they stop the game. But Moldovski’s pride was hurt and he stubbornly insisted on another game, in the hope that with the next round his luck would shine on him again.

But the next game brought no relief, nor the one after. With his cash supply depleted, Moldovski began bartering his possessions – first he lost his fields, then his vast holdings and finally he bet on his mansion and lost that too. Left with nothing else to barter, the proud Moldovski was forced to quit the game and face the realization that he was now an impoverished pauper. His entire assets now belonged to the Poritz Jabozonski, and he himself was left penniless.
The new Poritz was kind to the Jews on his estate, and now that he held authority over the land the Askanim of Buhush hurried to request permission once again for the longed for building for their Rebbe. Jabozonski agreed, and a glorious house of study was erected in Buhush which became a beacon of Torah for all the Jews of the region. Only then did the people understand the Rebbe’s mysterious remarks and his unusual obsession with the habits of the Poritz. The Beis Medrash survived the ravages of the holocaust, and remains standing until today together with the adjacent cemetery, where Rebbe Yitzchak lies buried with his descendents - the subsequent Rebbes of Buhush.

Rebbe Yitzchak of Buhush passed away on the 10th of Elul 5656 (1896) and his position at the helm of Buhush Chassidus was filled by his four sons: Rebbe Shalom Yosef Friedman of Buhush who lived in the town of Shpikov, Ukraine; Rebbe Moshe Yehuda Leib Friedman who founded the court of Peshkan; and in the town of Buhush itself presided Rebbe Yisrael (the ‘Pe’er Yisrael) and Rebbe Menachem Mendel.

In the year 5680 (1920) after Rebbe Shalom Yosef of Shpikov passed on, his son Rebbe Yitzchak (the second) who was already then a son-in-law of his uncle Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Buhush, assumed the mantel of leadership in his stead. After his uncle passed away, Rebbe Yitzchak led the entire court of Buhush, including all of its various branches.
The Admorim of Ruzhin loved Eretz Yisrael passionately, and many emigrated there even before the State of Israel was born. The courts of Huseitin and Sadigur set down roots in Tel Aviv and from there spread their light over the rest of the land. So it was that the court of Buhush too relocated to the Holy Land under the leadership of Rebbe Yitzchak (the second) of Buhush. There, he chose to settle in Tel Aviv, where he became famous for his piety and the miraculous stories that emanated from his inner sanctum, on a daily basis.

For many years, the home of Rebbe Yitzchak in Bucharest, Romania had served as an asylum for the refugees of both World Wars. He paid no heed to the Soviet authorities who forbade granting shelter to refugees. After the holocaust, Rebbe Yitzchak remained in Bucharest to strengthen and encourage the broken survivors, and to care for their needs both physically and spiritually.

In 5711 (1951) Rebbe Yitzchak made his way to Eretz Yisrael, and as mentioned, he settled in Tel Aviv where he lit up the hearts of his followers with the flame of Torah and Chassidus. His deeply moving singing was widely acclaimed, and many came to bask in the radiance of his purity.

In his last years, the court of Buhush moved to Bnei Brak, where it resides until today. There Rebbe Yitzchak built anew the Yeshiva of Buhush. Rebbe Yitzchak departed this world on the 14th of Av 5752 (1992) during a vacation in the Swiss Alps. He is buried in the Ruzhin section of the cemetery in Givatayim.

He is succeeded by his grandson – the son of his daughter, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Friedman of Buhush, Bnei Brak. He is the great-grandson on his father’s side, of Rebbe Moshe Yehuda Leib Friedman of Peshkin.

The Chassidic court of Buhush today numbers hundreds of families that are concentrated in Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak and Modiin Illit. Scores of students and young scholars study in Chassidic Yeshivos throughout the country, glorifying the world of Torah in our Holy Land.