Born in 1793 in Tarnogród, Halberstam served as the rabbi of Nowy Sącz for nearly half a century, transforming it into a thriving center of religious and intellectual life. He died there on April 19, 1876.
Each year, hundreds of Jews from Europe, Israel, and the United States visit his grave at the Jewish cemetery on Rybacka Street. This year’s commemoration carries particular significance, as it coincides with the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach), which ended at nightfall on April 20.
Chaim Halberstam was the founding rabbi of the Sanz (Nowy Sącz) dynasty of Hasidic Judaism. His descendants went on to lead Jewish communities in other southern Polish towns, including Gorlice, Żmigród, Sieniawa, and Chrzanów. He left a substantial body of writings, including Torah commentaries.
[🇬🇧 below] Dziś po zmroku rozpocznie się wielki jorcait (rocznica śmierci) cadyka Chaima Halberstama, a do Nowego Sącza...
Opublikowany przez Sądecki sztetl Wtorek, 22 kwietnia 2025
The tradition of pilgrimage to his grave - interrupted by World War II and the communist era - was revived several decades ago and continues to grow.
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