Tchernobyl Hasidism Nears End of 39-Year Estate Division
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Tchernobyl Hasidic dynasty is nearing the completion of dividing the estate of its late Rebbe, who passed away 39 years ago. The current Rebbe announced the division will conclude by the Rebbe's yahrzeit on the 17th of Cheshvan. The estate includes a valuable library, holy artifacts, and real estate. The process has been delayed out of respect for the Rebbe's wife, who lived for many years after his death.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Tchernobyl Rebbe's estate division is nearing completion 39 years after his passing.
- The current Rebbe announced the division will conclude by the 17th of Cheshvan yahrzeit.
- The estate includes a rare library, holy items, and real estate in Bnei Brak and Mevaseret Zion.
- The late Rebbe left five sons, all current Rebbes, and two sons-in-law who are also Rebbes.
- The division was delayed out of respect for the Rebbe's wife, who lived many years after him.
Thirty-nine years after the passing of the Tchernobyl Rebbe in Cheshvan 1987, his estate is nearing final division. The current Tchernobyl Rebbe announced during Sukkot that the process would be completed by the Rebbe's yahrzeit on the 17th of Cheshvan. This complex task involves appraising the late Rebbe's valuable library, holy artifacts, and real estate holdings in Bnei Brak and Mevaseret Zion. The late Rebbe left behind five sons, who are all current Rebbes: one in the Land of Israel, one in the United States, one from Lyubavitch Tchernobyl, the Rebbe in Ashdod, and Rabbi Yaakov Mordechai Twersky, the Av Beis Din of the Hasidut in Elad. He also left two sons-in-law, the Rebbes of Vizhnitz and Kretshnif Jerusalem.
Discussions regarding the estate began years ago, but the division was postponed out of respect for the late Rebbe's wife, who lived for many years after her husband's passing. Following her death in 2012, the sons began openly discussing the inheritance. The most prized part of the estate is the collection of rare and ancient books, including a Talmud from Rabbi Aharon of Tchernobyl and a Talmud printed in Slavuta. However, some first-edition books have reportedly gone missing over the years. The only items immediately divided after the Rebbe's death were ancient prayer books, one for each heir.
The estate also includes unique holy items such as a kittel from his ancestors, a kippah and holy garments worn by the Rebbe, and ornate Torah scrolls. The real estate, including central buildings on Ra'avad and Or HaChaim streets in Bnei Brak, is confirmed to have belonged to the Rebbe personally, not to Tchernobyl institutions, as such institutions did not exist at the time of his passing.
A question has arisen regarding a large real estate deal in Herzliya that was part of the estate. Several years ago, the Rebbe's daughters reportedly stated they were provided for and relinquished their share of that transaction to their brothers. With the full estate now being appraised, their current stance is unclear. Hasidim worldwide are closely following the developments, hoping the division concludes in peace and brotherhood.