תולדות אברהם יצחק

Across the street from the Breslov Shul, nestled in the heart of Mea Shearim, stands the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok synagogue. This unassuming building is home to a unique and fascinating Hasidic group, known for their intense devotion and strict adherence to Jewish law. The Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok are an offshoot of the Toldos Aharon, a group founded by Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Kohn. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Aharon Roth, the founder of the Shomrei Emunim dynasty. This lineage is important because it reveals the roots of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok’s beliefs and practices. When Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Kohn passed away in 1996, his eldest son, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kohn, became the Rebbe of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok. The Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok, like their parent group, are known for their staunch anti-Zionism. They believe that the establishment of the State of Israel before the coming of the Messiah is a violation of Jewish law. This belief shapes their lives in many ways. They refuse to accept any government funding and avoid using Israeli public services like buses or hospitals. They even avoid visiting the Western Wall due to the presence of Israeli flags. The Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok are easily recognizable in Jerusalem. The men wear distinctive black and white striped coats during the week, switching to gold and blue striped coats on Shabbat. The boys, from the age of 13, also wear these golden coats and shtreimels, a custom unique to the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok and Toldos Aharon. The women dress modestly, adhering to strict standards of tzniut, covering their hair with scarves instead of wigs. Their dedication to purity extends beyond clothing. The Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok emphasize daily immersion in ritual baths and strive for purity of heart and mind by avoiding secular media and focusing intensely on Torah study. As you walk the streets of Mea Shearim, take note of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok synagogue. It serves as a powerful symbol of their unwavering commitment to their beliefs, a testament to the diverse tapestry of Jewish life in Jerusalem.