Yosef Shidler and Mendel Mish of CJ Studios recently traveled to Ukraine and filmed the holy sites. Part 2: Kever of the Alter Rebbe.
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The Ohel of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder and first Rebbe of the Chabad branch of chassidism, draws hundreds and thousands of Jews from around the world to his resting place in in Haditch, Ukraine.
The Alter Rebbe, also known as the Rav and as Baal HaTanya, lived in Li’ozna and Liadi, White Russia. He authored the Tanya, a classic text of the chassidic tradition, and Shulchan Aruch HaRav, a code of Jewish law.
He passed away on 24 Teves, 5573 (1813) and was laid to rest in the Jewish cemetery in Haditch. Why and how was the Alter Rebbe buried in this city on the central-east part of Ukraine, located on the Psel River?
The story begins on Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5572 (1812), at the height of the Napoleonic Wars between France and Russia. With the French army advancing rapidly toward his hometown of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe determined to flee with his family and journey to the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk.
A wrong turn on the road brought the refugees to the small town of Piena on Erev Shabbos Kodesh, 12 Teves, 5573 (1813), where the Alter Rebbe promptly fell ill. He remained in Piena for two weeks before passing away on Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Shemos.
Alluding to his wish to be buried there, the Alter Rebbe thrice whispered to his followers the name, “Haditch,” during his final moments on earth. With his passing, the Alter Rebbe’s body was indeed conveyed to Haditch, a remote town in close proximity to Piena, where it was laid to rest.
It was this episode that made the anonymous town of Haditch famous and transformed it into an integral place deep in the hearts of chassidim worldwide.
The Baal Hatanya’s headstone bears the following inscription:
Here the Holy Ark was concealed / The great G-dly, pious, and humble Rabbi / Holy and pure, leader and pride of Ariel / Crown of Torah, fountain of wisdom / He fulfilled the righteous ways of Hashem and His statues with Israel / He fulfilled the righteous ways of Hashem and His statues with Israel / And many he brought home / Our Master, Mentor and Rabbi Shneur Zalman / Son of our Master Rabbi Baruch, who rests in Eden, He was desired in a holy place, and his soul returned to Hashem / On the first day of the week, 24 of the month of Teves, 5573 years to Creation.
פה נגנז ארון הקדש / הרב הג’ האלקי חסיד ועניו / קדוש וטהור ראש גולת אריאל / כתר תורה מעין החכמה / צדקת ה’ עשה ומשפטיו עם ישראל / ורבים השיב מעון / אדמו”ר שניאור זלמן / במוהר”ר ברוך נ”ע / נכסף אל קדשו ושבה אל ה’ נפשו / ביום ראשון בשבת כ”ד לחודש טבת / שנת התקע”ג ליצירה
Construction of the original Ohel upon Alter Rebbe’s tomb commenced immediately after the burial. In 5763 (2003), the Ohel underwent major renovations and has since been regularly maintained.
Directly adjacent to the Ohel is an active shul (synagogue) open 365 days a year that including a spacious women’s section. The ever-rising number of annual visitors to Haditch requires that we constantly improve and expand our accommodations and services in the region.
Recently, all furniture in the Ohel was replaced, and we are currently in the process of installing additional restrooms directly outside the Ohel for the comfort and convenience of guests.
