Preparations are in place for the yearly visit to Karlsruhe, to hold a special Yahrzeit.
This is the final resting place (see picture below) of the "Korban Nesanel" - the revered Rabbi Nesanel Weil ZT"L, who served as Chief Rabbi of the town and the Baden region, during the 18th century.
In the past decade, more people became interested and awareness has grown around this site. People travelling to Michelstadt, Worms and other ancient Jewish communities try to make a stopover in Karlsruhe, for the sole purpose of praying at this holy men's grave.
A Minyan, headed by Rabbi Dovid Scharf (1937-2015), will depart on Sunday 13th of Iyar from Antwerp in Belgium. They will be arriving late afternoon around 4:00PM local time, to hold a memorial service and pray for heavenly salvation on behalf of the sick, the poor and the whole of the Jewish people.
 |
| Tombstone on the grave of Rabbi Weil ZT"L |
The Kehillo in Karlsruhe, presided over by Mr David Seldner also meets at the cemetery in a coordinated fashion, to perpetuate the memory of this revered Rabbi, whom they hold in very high esteem. Official invitations are sent out the world over, to descendants of the Rabbi, to local dignitaries as well as people who have historical connections to Karlsruhe. However, as there is a mystery surrounding the actual day when the Rabbi's soul departed from this material world, the local congregation holds the Azkarah two weeks prior, which usually falls at the beginning of Iyar.
Local and international interest in this historic place ensures that it is well preserved. Reverend Moshe Chayun, the Chazzan ( = cantor) of the local synagogue, is also acting as a tour guide. He will show you around the cemetery and other places of significance in and around Karlsruhe. These tours are by prior appointment only: tourists are advised to plan their visit to the Kever prior to their departure, as access is restricted to specific times. Police patrols drive by on a regular basis, to check that no one enters the site without prior permission.
For more details, reply to this message or contact the Jüdischen Kultusgemeinde Karlsruhe.
03/05/2012 J.Duschinsky says: we checked it and the yohrtzeit was 30 Nissan and was then on a Friday!!
David Seldner 03/05/2012 says: Regarding the “mystery” concerning the date of the departing of the Korban Netanel’s soul has been clarified. All original sources say it was Rosh Chodesh Iyar (or May 7th, 1769), a Sunday. The book Zichron Tzaddikim by R. Pinchas Selig Schwatz, Klausenberg 1923, seems to be the first who mistakenly mentions the 15th of Iyyar. Since then, many books, including the well known Melitzei Eish, simply copied the error. Best wishes. David
No comments:
Post a Comment