Chernobyl Chasidic Dynasty

Chernobyl is known as the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster. But the Ukrainian town has a much deeper meaning for a New Yorker named Yitz Twersky. He recounts his family history, which originated in what he calls "the seat of the Twersky Jewish dynasty."

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 Ukrainian town of Chernobyl, where Rabbi Nachum served as the maggid

Rabbi Twersky was a student of the Baal Shem Tov (the founder of the Chasidic movement) and his pupil and chief disciple the Maggid of Mezritch. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Chasidic movement. His book Me'or Einayim comprising insights on the weekly Torah portion, reflects his proclivity to Kabbalah. It has gained widespread acceptance as one of the major works and foundations of Chasidic ideology.