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Chasidim of Kazimierz
[Yiddish, Kuzmir chasidim] - A Chasidic dynasty
originating in Kazimierz Dolny, on the Vistula, known
especially for
its contribution to the development of Chasidic music.
It was founded by Yechezkel ben Tsvi Hirsh Taub of
Kazimierz
(?-1856), a pupil of Yaakov Yitzhak Ha-Levi Horovits of
Lublin. Born in
Plonsk, he was involved in small trade. After settling in
Kazimierz
Dolny, he declared himself tzaddik. He was particularly
valued as the
author of calm, lyrical musical compositions.
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His successors, his sons and grandsons, were
also gifted musically; they became tzaddikim in various
towns, primarily
in Mazovia. His oldest son, David Tsvi (?-1882), the pupil
of Menachem
Mendel Morgenshtern of Kock, founded a Chasidic group in
Jablonowo, and a
grandson of Yechezkel Taub of Jablonowo settled in Palestine
in 1925
with a Chasidic group. He founded an agricultural community
ruled by
religious laws in the Ezekiel Valley.
Yechezkel Taub's son, Shmuel Eliyah (?-1888), settled in
Zwolen,
where he gathered his followers and founded a dynasty. Like
his father,
he composed. His son, Moshe Aron (?-1918), first took over
his father's
group in Zwolen, and then moved to Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki.
Shmuel Eliyah's
grandson, Chaim Taub (?-1942), who perished in Treblinka,
led Chasidic
groups in Zwolen, Mlawa and Warsaw.
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He composed many popular melodies played by
Chasidic groups in central Poland, like his uncle, Eliezer
Shlomo of
Wolomin (?-1938), Yechezkel's grandson. Another one of
Shmuel Eliyah's
grandsons, also named Shmuel Eliyah (1905-1984) led the
Chasidim of
Deblin who settled in Tel Aviv.
(H.W./CM)
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