The Hasid
Rabbi Moshe Yosef Nachshen z"l
One of the most esteemed and great Boyan Hassidim
Introduction
by Gary Nachshen
When I started looking into the Nachshen family history many years ago, Issie Nachshen mentioned to me a couple of times that Zaida Moishe had been a devoted follower of the Boyaner rebbe, one of the leading Hasidic rebbes. Issie gave me the address of the Ruzhin/Boyaner yeshiva in Jerusalem, and when I was in Israel in 1999, I walked in off the street and introduced myself as a great-grandson of Moishe Nachshen. I received a royal welcome, and spent some time talking to one of the rabbis at the yeshiva (Rabbi Schlesinger) who remembered Zaida Moishe very well.
The yeshiva folks put me in touch with the Boyaner movement's principal representative in Toronto, Philip Heller, and I have met with him and other members of the Boyaner community on a number of occasions since then. In December 2007, I met at Philip's house with two rabbis from the yeshiva, and I showed them a document which was folded into one of Zaida Moishe's books that I inherited from my Zaida Jack. The document turned out to be a letter written by the prior Boyaner rebbe to Zaida Moishe in 1967, which was apparently of great historical interest to the rabbis, so I provided them with a copy. I spoke to them about my wish to commemorate in some way the longstanding link between him and the Boyaner movement, and last month I received the attached article, originally written in Hebrew by Rabbi Berel Rabinowitz.
This is a priceless document, with precious information about the life and times of Zaida Moishe and some of our other ancestors in the 19th and 20th Centuries. There are some intriguing references to "memoirs" which he apparently prepared and which are supposedly held at the yeshiva in Jerusalem. I am presently attempting to learn more about these, and if possible arrange for translation into English.
I would like to express my profound appreciation to Issie for bringing the Boyaner link to my attention and thereby rescuing this critical part of our family's past from near-historical oblivion. Hopefully this account will help bring Zaida Moishe's memory back to life for some of us and shed some light on our collective past.
Gary Nachshen
May 2008
The Hasid
Rabbi Moshe Yosef Nachshen z"l
The Hassid - one small word, yet it embodies entire worlds. Exalted worlds, hidden worlds, worlds full of Jewish purity, which are hidden deep in the heart, and the blazing fire burning in their great and overflowing hearts only rarely bursts out. This was the glorious and splendid persona of the Hassid, Rabbi Moshe Nachshen z"l, one of the greatest and most esteemed of the Boyan Hassidim. In the following article we focus on the strong connection Rabbi Moshe had as a Hassid with the house of Ruzhin and Boyan, which illuminated its splendor on his prominent and exalted character.
The History of Hassidism
Around the year 5500 (1740), the Baal Shem Tov, the holy Rabbi Yisrael from Mezhbizh (1690-1760) illuminated his light. The Baal Shem Tov began to spread the light of Hassidism throughout the cities of Podolya and Volyn in the Ukraine. The establishment of the Hassidic movement brought about a revival among the Jews of the Diaspora, which had been in a state of darkness. Hassidism shook off the dust, which had been accumulating on the Jews of Europe. With its blazing fire it warmed and revived the Jews of that period, who awoke to a new life full of purpose and happiness in serving G-d and fulfilling the mitzvoth. Hassidism emphasized the connection to the tzaddik, a holy man, a lofty and valued persona, who perfected himself with Torah and service of G- d, who acted as guide and shepherd to his flock, he was a rebbe to them and they were his Hassidim. His consistent, warm and fatherly guidance protected them from the hardships of the time, and instilled a Spiritual purpose into their everyday lives. The connection with the other Hassidim, their shared conversations about their rebbe, strengthened Judaism during those turbulent days. The sweet and ancient aroma of those days has not disappeared, the great and blessed influence of Hassidism can still be observed today.
Students gathered .and united around Rabbi Yisrael, the Bail Shem Tov, who were famous for their greatness in Torah study, holiness and righteousness. They gave Hassidism a deep and lofty spiritual dimension. The veteran Hassidim, filled with Torah, obtained for themselves a lofty way of life in the light of those great lights of Hassidism.
The father of the dynasty, the Maggid of Mezritch
The holy Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch (1695-1773) was one of his greatest and most famous students. With the passing of the Baal Shem Tov on Shavuos 5520 (1760), the scepter of leadership was passed to his student, the Maggid of Mezritch. During his days, Hassidim spread throughout Europe and arrived in Poland, White Russia, and beyond. Illustrious students found shelter in his shade, including: Rabbi Mendel from Vitepsk, who emigrated to the holy land and established a Hassidic presence, Rabbi Elimelech from Lizhansk, Rabbi Shneur Zalman from Liadi, author of the Tanya and father of the Chabad dynasty, Rabbi Menachem Nachum from Chernobyl, author of the 'Meor Einayim and father or the Chernobyl dynasty, and many other Torah and Hassidic luminaries.
Majestic Hassidism
A direct descendent of the Maggid of Mezritch, Rabbi Yisrael from Ruzhin (1797-1851) established and was the father of the majestic dynasty of the house of Ruzhin-Boyan. The Rebbe from Ruzhin was the son of Rabbi Shalom of Pogrebishche (1727-1803), the son of Rabbi Avraham Hamalach (1740-1778), the son of the Maggid of Mezritch.
Rabbi Yisrael from Ruzhin innovated with his wondrous personality the regal path of Hassidism. The Rebbe from Ruzhin reinvigorated Diaspora Judaism and helped it withstand the difficulties of the cruel reign of Russian Czar Nicholas I, who ruled in Russia and Poland, the centers of Eastern European Judaism and Hassidism in those days. This difficult period is mainly known for the "Cantonist" decrees, where young Jewish children between the ages of eight and twelve were snatched from their mother's arms and sent to be reeducated among the farmers in remote Russia. The farmers abused these young children and forced them to work long hours in terrible conditions. After a while, when their Jewish past had become a dim memory, they were drafted into the Russian army for twenty-five years.
The rebbe from Ruzhin, as a young leader who began to lead his flock at the age of seventeen, was accepted as one of the leading Jewish figures of that time. Thousands - tens of thousands - marched after him, were connected to him with all their hearts and souls, and loved him with all their hearts and might. He was a father, a spiritual leader, and a shepherd to his flock. The rebbe from Ruzhin, a tall leader, who despite his young age, stood at the forefront of the battles of Israel and influenced the Jews with his holiness and pure spirit.
Ruzhin
The Rebbe began his leadership in the town of Skvira where he established his courtyard. Soon afterward the Rebbe moved to nearby Ruzhin where he established a magnificent court and to this day he is known as the Rebbe of Ruzhin.
Thousands of Hassidim traveled to Ruzhin from all over Russia and the Ukraine, to visit the rebbe's court, to become enflamed by this great man, and to learn the way of life from him. His gentle and noble way served as a sign and wonder to them. They were his dedicated Hassidim and were prepared to give everything they had to him.
Sadigura
The rebbe of Ruzhin in his high position as leader of Israel, suffered greatly at the hands of Czar Nicholas 1, who feared that the rebbe of Ruzhin wanted to be king of Israel. In 5698 (1838), the Rebbe of Ruzhin was arrested and sent to the infamous Kiev prison. The rebbe sat in jail for two years until it became clear that he was unjustly accused. In 5700 (1840) he was released from jail. Czar Nicholas did not want to leave him alone and continued harassing him and limiting his movements. The rebbe therefore decided to escape from Russia and in 5702 (1842) he settled in Sadigura near Tchernovitz the capital of Bukovinia, which was then under Austrian rule. The rebbe rebuilt his court in Sadigura, which became a monument of splendor. The many Hassidim who remained in Russia did not spare any effort to cross the border, to visit the rebbe's court and to take shelter in his shade.
After the passing of the rebbe of Ruzhin in the city of Sadigura on the third day of Cheshvan 5611 (1851), his son Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman, known as the old rabbi from Sadigura or the rabbi from Sadigura, took over the leadership of the court and of the Hasidim. During his days Ruzhin and Sadigura Hassidism grew and became one of the largest Hassidic courts of that time. The community of Ruzhin and Sadigura Hasidim encompassed thousands of Jewish families in Russia, Poland, Galitzia, and Eastern Europe.
Boyan
After the death of the rebbe from Sadigura, his son Rabbi Yitzchak Friedman, known as the "Pachad Yitzchak", and who had settled in the nearby town of Boyan, took over the leadership. Thousands of Hassidim continued to stream towards Rabbi Yitzchak, especially the Hassidim from Russia who were known for their high spiritual levels, and therefore spared no effort to cross the Russian border and arrive in Boyan to visit the holy rebbe's court.
The Hassidic Nachshen Family
The glorious Nachshen family was considered among the Rebbe of Ruzhin's closest Hassidim. The patriarchs of the family were Hassidim in all their heart and soul, they belonged to the lofty echelon of Hassidim, a world that encompassed holiness and purity, devotion to tzadikim, following in their paths and learning their ways. The members of this impressive family merited in an additional closeness with the rebbe.
The Nachshen family was from the town of Skvira, the first town where the Rebbe of Ruzhin began the leadership of his Hassidic court. The people of this town were caught up by the holy enthusiasm of the rebbe in his noble behaviour and holiness, and were his devoted Hassidim. Through the generations the people of this town were counted among the Hassidim of Ruzhin, Sadigura and Boyan. The enthusiastic passion to belong to the rebbe's court was passed from father to son; the Rebbe's holy words and behavior were a way of life for them; and at times they would make the holy journey to the rebbe.
Skvira, that forsaken, neglected Ukrainian town, is known to this day as a bright page among the Boyan community due to the Hassidim who lived there and provided much from their lofty spiritual characters to Ruzhin and Boyan Hassidism and their wonderful connection to the Ruzhin and Boyan rebbes.
The Hassid Rabbi Tzvi from Skvira
The Nachshen family, a special and noble family, was counted among the honored families in the town. The grandfather, the famous and exalted Hassid Rabbi Tzvi - the son of the Hassid Rabbi David from Skvira - was considered one of the great Hassidim of the rebbe of Ruzhin, and he merited extra closeness with the rebbe. The grandfather, Rabbi Tzvi, was an impressive figure of Torah knowledge, and an enthusiastic and clever Hassid of the rebbe of Ruzhin. He would walk every Friday from Skvira to Ruzhin to spend Shabbat in the shade of the holy rebbe of Ruzhin. When the rebbe settled in Sadigura, Rabbi Tzvi would make the long journey to Sadigura. When the rebbe of Ruzhin passed away, Rabbi Tzvi was among the Hassidim of his son, the rebbe of Sadigura. When Rabbi Tzvi reached old age, the Rebbe of Sadigura passed away and his son Rabbi Yitzchak filled his place in the nearby town of Boyan, the older Rabbi Tzvi made an effort to make the long journey from Skvira, which was near Kiev in central Ukraine to Boyan, to greet the young rebbe, the "Pachad Yitzchak", who was the new leader of the Hassidim.
The Hassid Rabbi Hertz Nachshen from Skvira
Rabbi Tzvi's son-in-law was the Hassid Rabbi Yisrael Yehuda (Hertz) Nachshen zt"l, from the Hassidic family in Skvira, who was connected, as were all the people in the community, to the holy rebbe of Ruzhin. Rabbi Yisrael was a true Hassid like his father-in-law, he was an exalted personality who had Hassidism strongly coursing through him, and he himself served as an example to many as a man with distinguished qualities and noble behavior. Rabbi Hertz was a dedicated Hassid who each year would spend the high holidays far from his city; he would travel to Sadigura to spent the holidays with the rebbe. After the passing of the Rebbe of Sadigura, he, like his father-in-law and all the people in his community, became loyal Hassidim of his son, the "Pachad Yitzchak" who had moved to nearby Boyan, and he would travel to him as well until his later years to celebrate the holidays with the Rebbe from Boyan. This family tradition, which began in the days of the grandfather, Rabbi Tzvi, continued with his son-in-law Rabbi Hertz Nachshen, and with his grandson Rabbi Moshe Nachshen who spent all the holidays with the Rebbe in the town of Boyan and afterwards in New York.
We know of other family members such as the Hassid Rabbi Eliyahu Nachshen, brother of Rabbi Hertz Nachshen, who was also a Ruzhin-Boyan Hassid. He owned a valuable set of Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, which were written by the expert scribe Rabbi Leib Sofer from the city of Sde Lavan in Russia. Rabbi Leib Sofer was a holy man and the tefillin that he wrote were considered very valuable. The Rebbe of Ruzhin himself purchased a pair of tefillin from Rabbi Leib Sofer for the Bar Mitzvah of his son, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov, who later became famous as the Rebbe of Sadigura. In time the tefillin were inherited by Rabbi Moshe Nachshen, who was proud of the merit, which befell him through these holy tefillin.
Rabbi Hertz's son, Rabbi Yaakov Pinchas, whose older brother Rabbi Moshe was in awe of his becoming a devoted hassid wrote in his memoirs: "and he was thank G-d a great Hassid". Rabbi Yaakov Pinchas was the son-in-law of the Hassid Rabbi Avraham Dovid Roitenberg, who was also from Skvira and was a Boyan Hassid. Rabbi Avraham Dovid would travel every year to Boyan for Shavous.
The Hassid Rabbi Moshe Nachshen from Skvira-Montreal
Into this exalted house, a house of Torah, Hassidism, a world full of nobility and Jewish purity, Rabbi Moshe was born on the 12th day of Sivan 5634 (May 28, 1874), in the Ukrainian town of Skvira, where he received his education towards nobility and a pure heart. Here he began his first steps in the great world, where he always observed an exalted lifestyle, as befitting a Hassid son of a Hassid and grandson of a Hassid, who walk in the ways of the Rebbes of Ruzhin -Boyan. He was a brilliant, knowledgeable man in Torah and Talmud. Rabbi Moshe was a true Hassid, an exalted man, who was pleasant and served as an example to many.
Childhood
Rabbi Moshe spent his childhood, as others his age, in a Sadigura Beis Medrash in the town of Skvira. He was taught by the important educators, in the shadow of the great rebbe who lived in far off Sadigura. When he was nine years old, on the 11th day of Elul 5643 (September 1883), the Rebbe of Sadigura passed away. Rabbi Moshe notes in his diary the great impression that the rebbe's passing had on the town. The people in the town accepted the authority of his son who was known as the Rebbe of Boyan. His father would travel every year to visit the court of the rebbe, and Rabbi Moshe waited with longing for the day that he would merit doing the same. In the house of Boyan there is a tradition that men do not visit the rebbe's court until they are married.
Bar Mitzvah
When Rabbi Moshe reached the age of thirteen, the Hassid Rabbi Elya the scribe wrote his tefillin. Rabbi Elya was one of the great Boyan Hassidim in Skvira and was Rabbi Moshe's teacher. In the month of lyar, before he became a Bar Mitzvah, his father sent the tefillin with his father-in-law, the Hassid Rabbi Avraham Dovid Roitenberg, who would always travel to the Rebbe of Boyan for Shavuos, to show the Rebbe of Boyan the tefillin as a virtue. Despite the additional meticulousness among the Boyan and Ruzhin Hassidim to start wearing tefillin on the day of the Bar Mitzvah, here the Rebbe made a change and commanded Rabbi Moshe to start wearing the tefillin on Tuesday, the first of Sivan 5647. The Rebbe of Boyan himself began wearing tefillin a month before he reached Bar Mitzvah. The Hassidim saw in this unique instruction of the Rebbe a sign of endearment towards Rabbi Moshe and his illustrious family. Rabbi Moshe would always note with wonder that the blessing of the Rebbe on his tefilllin stood by them. All his life, for over eighty years despite many wanderings and long years, Rabbi Moshe put on the tefillin that were seen by the holy eyes of the Rebbe for their Kashrus and majesty. He sent them many times to be checked by expert scribes, and they always responded that the letters inside the tefillin were as bright as the day they were written. Rabbi Moshe attributed this to the merit of the Rebbe.
Adolescence
During his adolescent years, Rabbi Moshe acquired his learning of Torah and Hassidism from the brilliant Hassid Rabbi Tzvi Kaminitska, one of the great Boyan-Ruzhin Hassidim in Skvira. In the month of Elul (September 1888), when he was fourteen years old, he was matched with the daughter of the Hassid Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer from Pogrebishche, one of the important Hassidim of the famous Rabbi Avraham Mattisyahu from Shtepinasht (1825-1869); he was also a grandson of the Rebbe of Ruzhin. In the month of Cheshvan (November 1892) Rabbi Moshe got married in the city of Pogrebishche.
The First trip to Boyan
After his wedding, Rabbi Moshe merited in fulfilling his childhood dream, he traveled with his father to Boyan - to visit the Rebbe's court. Rabbi Moshe first visited the Rebbe's court during the high holidays of 5654 (1893). Rabbi Moshe spent time in the shadow of the Rebbe as a devoted Hassid and warmed to his light. Rabbi Moshe had a deep connection with the Rebbe and spent the next twenty-one years traveling every year to celebrate the high holidays in the Boyan Rebbe's court, until 5664 (1914) when World War I broke out.
After the war, Rabbi Moshe visited the Boyan Court in Europe one last time. When the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia, the iron curtain fell on the Communist countries and millions were trapped in the Soviet Union. No one could leave or enter. During the summer of 5668 (1918), at the end of World War 1, the gates of the country were opened. Rabbi Moshe, along with many Boyan Hassidim, hurried to take advantage of this opportunity and visit the Rebbe's court.
The Rebbe, the "Pachad Yitzchak", from Boyan, who moved to Vienna at the beginning of the war, was no longer alive; he passed away in Vienna on the 17th of Adar 5669 (1917). His four holy sons continued his path in leading the congregation, who were orphaned of their holy Rebbe. His son, Rabbi Menachem Nachum (1869-1936), returned to the city of Tchernovitz near Boyan. Boyan itself was destroyed. The new Rebbe reestablished the court in the city of Tchernovitz.
Rabbi Moshe who went to visit the Rebbe from Boyan Tchernovitz and accept his authority, brought along his son Rabbi Mordechai. The Rebbe was very happy to greet the many Hassidim from Russia whose connection was cut off during the war, while on the horizon the terror of a new regime hovered. The Rebbe arranged a special feast for them. Soon afterwards the iron curtain fell on Russia and the Hassidim remained very far away from the rebbe's court.
From Russia to Canada
In the year 5680 (1920), before the Communist regime was fully established, many uneducated farmers took advantage of the opportunity to conduct pogroms against the Jews of Russia. Rabbi Moshe who lived at the time in the town of Pogrebishche quickly escaped to Berditchev, two years later he moved to Kharkov, where he lived for five years. In 1927 Rabbi Moshe seized the opportunity to escape with his family across the Russian border, and after much wandering arrived in May 1927 in Montreal, Canada.
Before he was fully settled, Rabbi Moshe, as a devoted Hassid inquired after the welfare of the Rebbe. The Rebbe from Tchernovitz visited Israel in the month of lyar 5687 (May 1927). Rabbi Moshe sent a letter to his childhood friend, the Hassid Rabbi Shlomo Telingtor from Skvira, one of the heads of the Boyan Hassidim, who had moved to Israel. In the letter, he asked him to mention him to the Rebbe who was visiting in Israel.
In Montreal, Rabbi Moshe was appointed Gabbai (sexton) at the "Chevre Mishnayos" synagogue of the Ruzhin Hassidim. It was a synagogue of veteran Hassidim, who filled it with Hassidic activity. The sweet taste and pleasant scent of this Hassidic synagogue, which has no compare today, cannot quickly be forgotten. Rabbi Moshe as the Gabbai of this synagogue gave it a Hassidic tone.
The Boyan Rebbe in New York
Rabbi Moshe kept in touch with the youngest son of the "Pachad Yitzchak" from Boyan, Rabbi Mordechai Shlomo, the famous Boyan Rebbe from New York (1891-1971). The Boyan rebbe emigrated that same year (1927) from Vienna and settled in New York. Rabbi Moshe continued the ancient tradition of his father and grandfather, and as he did himself for over twenty years!! He continued traveling every year together with his wife to New York, to celebrate the last days of Sukkos and Simchas Torah. He did this for thirty-five years! Until his death, Rabbi Moshe would travel every year to New York. The Boyan Rebbe ascribed great importance to Rabbi Moshe and drew near to him. The Rebbe even invited Rabbi Moshe to join him at his Pesach Seder, and there were years, especially the later years, when Rabbi Moshe and his wife traveled to New York for Pesach to join the Rebbe at his Seder.
In the winter of 5713 (1953), the Boyan Rebbe visited Israel. On this trip the Rebbe toiled to return the former glory of the house of Ruzhin which had been destroyed during the two world wars. The Rebbe established the institutions of Yeshivas "Tiferet Yisroel- Ruzhin" in Jerusalem. He returned to New York with the great news and a far-reaching vision that a new stage was beginning in the house of Ruzhin and Boyan and that they were returning the crown of glory to Hassidism as in previous days. The Hassidim in America enthusiastically responded to the Rebbe's pleas and were recruited to help him in this great work.
Ruzhin-Boyan Institutions and Yeshiva
In Montreal it was Rabbi Moshe Nachman, the Rebbe's devoted Hassid. He arranged funding, aroused the philanthropists in the nation, and gave of his own money. He conducted many activities for the success of the yeshiva and its institutions in Jerusalem. He, like the Rebbe, felt that the Ruzhin-Boyan Yeshiva in Jerusalem was the direct continuation of Eastern European Hassidism, and he worked very hard for the success of this lofty building. And the many efforts that he expanded can be seen today. The Yeshiva and all the institutions of Ruzhin-Boyan, in Israel and around the world, encompass a community of over a thousand families, educational institutions, and welfare and charity organizations, whose center is in Jerusalem, under the leadership of the Rebbe of Boyan, the grandson of the Rebbe of Boyan in New York.
The Rebbe of Boyan recognized the tremendous work of Rabbi Moshe and sent him a special letter of gratitude. In the letter, the Rebbe expressed his extreme gratitude to Rabbi Moshe on his many efforts for the yeshiva. The Yeshiva and the institutions in Jerusalem also expressed their thanks to Rabbi Moshe. On the memorial board at the entrance to the yeshiva, there is a plaque to Rabbi Moshe and his wife in recognition of their great work:
In eternal memory of the Hassid of the elders of the Hassidim of Boyan Rabbi Moshe Yosef son of Yisrael Yehuda Nachshen zt"l, a gabbai at the Beis Medrash Chevre Mishnayos in Montreal, who performed many deeds and actions for the Mesivta. He passed away on the 23rd of Tevet 5728. In memory of his wife Mrs. Sarah Chana daughter of R' Shlomo Elazar, who passed away on the 6th of Tishrei 5718. May their souls be bound in the binds of life and may their righteousness stand forever.
A Hassidic Personality
Rabbi Moshe corresponded with his childhood friend Rabbi Shlomo Telingtor, with whom he grew up in the Ukrainian town of Skvira. Rabbi Shlomo was known as a great Hassid and was appointed head of the Hassidim in Jerusalem. 1n these majestic letters, and in Rabbi Moshe's memoirs, [which are kept today in the "Mishkenot Haroim" institution of the Boyan Hassidim published by Ginzei Beit Ruzhin-Boyan], there are many holy sayings and conversations of the Ruzhin-Boyan Rebbes. These correspondences constitute an instructive heritage for our youth to learn from the Torah of the Rebbes and delve into their histories. The Beit Ruzhin-Boyan journal "Tiferet Yisrael" published in Jerusalem continuously mentions the esteemed Hassid Rabbi Moshe Nachshen, and these articles are distributed, read and studied by thousands of Boyan Hassidim. His glorious personality stands in front of them as a true, esteemed, deep-rooted Hassid. Rabbi Moshe Nachshen passed away at the advanced age of ninety-three, on Wednesday the 23rd of Tevet 5728 (24 January 1968). May his memory be a blessing! To complete the matter, we have cited the excellent article written by Yisrael Nachshen, grandson of Rabbi Moshe, which was published in the Canadian Yiddish newspaper "Keneder Odler" on Friday the 1st of Adar 5728 (1 March 1968) to mark the shloshim of Rabbi Moshe Nachshen.