History: laying of cornerstone of 'Nissan Beck' • Watch

This evening a cornerstone ceremony was held in the "Tiferet Israel - Nissan Beck" shull in Jerusalem within the walls.

Today the cornerstone for the restoration and reconstruction of the legendary synagogue of Chassidei Ruzhin in Jerusalem was laid: "Tiferet Israel" shull, in the name of the founder of the Ruzhin dynasty, the holy Alter, known also by the name 'Nissan Beck', the name of the activist who founded the synagogue a hundred and fifty years ago.

The official ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, Rabbi of the Western Wall Shmuel Rabinovitch, the Housing Minister Uri Ariel, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Eli Ben- Dahan, MK Moti Yogev and other officials.

The event also hosted Harav Hatzadik R' Mordechai Shalom Yosef Friedman, eldest son of the Rebbe of Sadigura.

In 5603, a number of years after the famous escape by the Ruzhiner Rebbe from Russia to Austria, Czar Nicholas wanted a foothold in the Holy Land, and to build a church named after him in the heart of Jerusalem. But before he did so, the tzaddik of Ruzhin sent to his loyalty Rabbi Israel Beck, a leader of Hasidim in Jerusalem, a large sum, ordering him to hurry and purchase the only lot which was available within the walls of Jerusalem, which is the lot on which Tiferet Israel synagogue was established, and was inaugurated on 12th Av 5632.

Since the synagogue known to the public as 'R' Nissan Beck's shull" in the name of the founder of the synagogue – the place became the center of Ruzhin Chassidim.

The synagogue was under the presidency of the Ruzhin - Sadigura Rebbes, after the passing of the first Rebbe of Sadigura, his place was filled by his son, the Pachad Yitzchok of Boyan, followed by his four holy sons, the Boyaner Rebbes. However all the Rebbes of Ruzhin had a deep emotional connection to this synagogue.

The prayers were conducted according to the well known Ruzhin custom, and many of the songs and music of the famous Rabbi Pinie Hazan - composer of Boyan Hassidus, were sung.

Given the importance attached to the place by the Ruzhiner grandfather, the father of the dynasty, the name of the synagogue is carried today by the yeshiva "Mesivta Tifereth Israel" of Boyan Hasidim, and the main synagogue of Boyan was also inspired by it with the arched dome which can be seen from a distance, is reminiscent of the shape of the synagogue in the Old City.

The beautiful synagogue was destroyed during the War of Independence, and was in ruins. Since the Six Day War and the liberation of Jerusalem, numberless attempts have been made to renovate it. The Rebbe Shlomo Chaim of Sadigura then set up an "action committee" that included the Ruzhiner Rebbes, led by his nephew the Rebbe Mordechai Shalom Yosef of Sadigura. Committee members invested enormous forces in an attempt to revive the glory of the place.

Lately, the construction was finally approved, and the Jewish Quarter and East Jerusalem Development Company held in recent months extensive archaeological salvage excavations at the site.

Now to the delight of Ruzhin they are about to renew the glory of the place.

Photography: Mendi Hechtman

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!