Tish (Hasidic celebration)
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Tish (טיש) (or Tisch), literally means a "table" in Yiddish. Within Hasidism it refers to any joyous public celebration or gathering or meal by Hasidim at a "table" of their Rebbe. Such a gathering is often referred to in Hebrew as Arichas HaShulchan (עריכת השולחן), the "setting of the table". The term "Shabbos tish" is also sometimes used in Yiddish regarding the Sabbath meal of any Jewish family, but this article will only focus on the former use. At a tish the Rebbe sits at the head of the table and the Hasidim gather around the table. In large Hasidic dynasties, only the Rebbe and his immediate family with a few close disciples partake of the meal, but small pieces of bread, fish, meat, poultry, farfel, beans, kugel, or fruit, as well as small cups of kosher wine or other beverages, are distributed to all present as shiraim (שירים). In such large courts, there are often bleachers, known as parentches (פארענטשעס) in Yiddish, for observers of the Tish to stand on. Jewish hymns known as zemiros are sung, as well as Hasidic tunes known as nigunim.
In some Hasidic courts, the Rebbe only eats during the Sabbath at the Tish, often waiting many hours, until the Hasidim have finished their meals, to begin his own meal with the recitation of the Kiddush prayer. In other courts, the Rebbe begins his meal at home with his family, and then comes to join the Hasidim in the synagogue to end the meal. In yet other courts, the entire Tish is conducted after the meal has been finished at home. In such a case only dessert, usually consisting of kugel and fruit, is served, as well as soft drinks, usually seltzer-water. Such tishes are known as a Peiros Tish (פירות טיש) (Fruit Tish).
Some Hasidic Rebbes conduct a public Tish every Sabbath, whereas others only do so on special occasions, such as the Sabbath before the new moon.
Sometimes, a Hasidic gathering similar to a Tish is conducted without the presence of a Rebbe. This is called a batteh (באטע) in Yiddish or a Sheves Achim (שבת אחים) in Hebrew. It is often led by a Rabbi who is not a Rebbe, such as a Rosh Yeshivah, Mashgiach Ruchani, or a Rebbe's son. Often, a batteh will be indistinguishable from a Tish, for the respect that many Hasidim have for their Rebbe's son is often very close to the reverence for the Rebbe himself, as he is the assumed heir to the throne.
Among Chabad-Lubavitcher Hasidim, a Hasidic gathering known as a Farbrengen (פארברענגען) (meaning "joyous gathering" in Yiddish), is celebrated, similar to a Tish. Lubavitcher Hasidim would refer to a joyous gathering together with their Rebbes as a farbrengen and not as a tish. A Farbrengen may be conducted without the presence of a Rebbe, similar to a Sheves Achim, even with the presence of only a few Hasidim. At a Farbrengen, zemiros are not sung, but rather only nigunim.
A tish takes place at the meals in honor of the Sabbath, Jewish holidays, Yahrzeit ("annual memorial") for previous rebbes of that dynasty, as a seudath hoda'ah ("meal of thanksgiving") to God for past salvations (such as escape from prisons or from the Holocaust), or some other seudath mitzvah.
The nature of the tish differs from group to group but during the tish, the Hasidim intently and silently watch the rebbe eating the meal and are extremely eager to receive shiraim ("leftovers") from every portion, believing it to be a great merit (zechuth) to eat something from the leftovers of a Tzadik's ("righteous person") meal. Many Hasidim claim that miracles can take place in merit of partaking of the shiraim, such as miraculous healing or blessings of wealth or piety.
Hasidic songs, or niggunim (ניגונים), are sung with great gusto. The songs may at times be either joyous or solemny meditative. The rebbe may teach words of Torah, often mystical passages from the Midrash, Zohar, and the Kabbalah during the tish. He may also tell Hasidic stories, parables, and history. He may also give religious commentary on current events and politics.
Women do not sit with the men (because Orthodox Judaism is very strict about the separation of the sexes) but they are often present to observe the tish from the women's section in the main synagogue or hall where it is taking place. The women present do not sing aloud and they often do not receive the shiraim.
See also
External links
- [An example of a Small Hasidic Tish in honor of Hanukah with the Nadvorna Rebbe of Safed, E. Israel]
- [An example of a Large Hasidic Tish in Satmar]
- [A Tish in Nadvorna, Bnei Brak, for the 15th of Shevat]
- [A Tish in Klausenberg, Boro Park, for Purim]
- [Scenes from the Hannukah Tish by the Pittsburger Rebbe of Israel]
- [Scenes of the Pittsburger Rebbe from Israel celebrating Jewish Holidays, includes scenes from Several Tishen]
- [Large Tish with the Tosher Rebbe in Canada for the end of the Feast of Tabernacles]
- [Large Tish in Bobov for Passover]
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