The Belz'e sect

By CHAIM SHNEIDER, HasidicNews.com Writer

Belz is name d after a town in Galician. The Belz dynasty dates back to the nineteenth century. Its founder was Rav Dov. One of Belz'e unique characteristics was its "Yoshvim" program. Married men would remain in the synagogue all day and study the Talmud and pray. "Yoshvim" were supported by businessmen and merchants in the community. They had absolutely no income of their own. Food and other necessities would be brought to them straight to the synagogue so they don't have to leave the Shul even for a short time. Some "Yoshvim" would sleep over in the Shul on the bench, and would typically stay remain in the Shul, immersed in Torah study, worship of God and deriving inspiration from the Rebbe until the Rebbe would tell them to go home and to the "Mitzvah" with their wives, after which they would return and remain in Shul for anther 5 months or so.

Unlike Satmar and other established Orthodox congregations, the Belz'e sect was originally founded as a "Chasidus", not as an official congregation. The leader was therefore called a "Rebbe" not a Rav, and had no official or government recognized power. The role of a Rebbe was more spiritual and followers usually had hundred's of stories about miracles performed by the "Rebbe" as well as instances where the "Rebbe" was inspired by "Ruach Hakodesh" (Holy Spirit) to know one's personal life or the future, and accordingly advise his followers.

The Belz'e dynasty, like most other Hasidic dynasties in the nineteenth century, was inherited, unlike the original Hasidic communities whose leaders did not pass over leadership to their offspring but to the most qualified disciple. The last Belz'e Rebbe Yisoochar Dov passed away in the 1930's. His son Aharon was crowned as the new Belze Rebbe as customary. Unlike Satmar, the Belz'e community was rather static and its leader did not maintain a high profile. Aharon's Hasidim would be raving about miracles and open "Ruach Hakodesh" about their Rebbe. This was a bit uncommon in those modern days.

When the WWII hit home, Hasidim devised a rescue plan for the Rebbe. According to the story, they managed obtain the services of a driver who would drive the Rebbe, his wife and to others across the border using falsified documents, pretending to be Government officials in the course of performing their duty. They were stopped at the border, their identity questioned and were about to be detained when three tall high-ranking officials ordered that they be allowed to pass the border. Hasidim believe that those three men were angels sent from heaven, as their identity was never discovered.

The Rebbe stayed in Switzerland and left for Israel after the war. He settled in Bnei Brak, where there was a fledgling Hasidic community. Unlike Satmar, originally from Hungary, Belz suffered a lot greater losses in the Holocaust. Belz, like some of the other Polish-originating communities was nearly wiped out. Some Hasidic followers from other communities joined Belz, after their Rebbe did not survive. The Rebbe was known, after the war, to be extremely Holy. He only weighed 90 pounds and rarely ate anything. People would say that he is really in heaven, only his body being in this physical world.

He died in 1957, with Thousands of admirers following his casket at the funeral in Bnei Brak, Israel. He did not have as much devout followers within his community as he did enchanted admirers who believed very strongly in the Rebbe's Holiness and righteousness. He is widely believed to be among the last of the old-generation holy Hasidic Rebbe's. His nephew Dov was appointed Belz'e Rebbe soon thereafter. He was born after the war and was only 18 when appointed leader of the Belz'e community. He adopted a very modern somewhat revolutionary policy of secular government relationships and community customs. Satmar was very angered by his decision to send delegates to the secular Israeli "Knesset" and instruct his followers to vote.

The Belz'e Rebbe lashed back in 1981 at the Satmar allegations and proclaimed himself as knowing well enough on his own what Belz should be like, and allegedly insulted the already deceased former Satmar Rebbe, Joel Teitelbam. Satmar was angered even more, and managed to obtain signatures from significant segments of the Hasidic and Ultra-Orthodox in an attempt to renounce and even ostracize the Belz'e Rebbe. This created a huge and lasting rift between the Belz and Satmar communities.

In the 1980's the Rebbe also launched what is probably the biggest modern Hasidic construction project ever. Plans called for a humongous huge and magnificent Synagogue in the Belze section in Jerusalem. That building would, additionally include Wedding and Bar Mitzvah halls, sub-synagogues, libraries, learning centers, as well other community and civic centers. Unlike in the US, where Rebbe's find it relatively easy to raise money, in Israel most local Hasidim do not have much to spare. He, thus resorted to various fund-raising projects overseas among his followers and supporters, throughout the 80 and 90's. At one point he changed plans in the construction which required the demolition of some already built parts, which angered many.

At the turn of the century, the structure was mostly complete and can be seen to this day in "Kiryat Belz" in Jerusalem.