Historic sites

Ohel of the Tzadik in Leżajsk

On Górna Street in Leżajsk, on a tree-ringed Jewish cemetery, stands the ohel — the tomb of Elimelech of Leżajsk (1717–1787), one of the leading figures of early Hasidism. It is among the most frequently visited tzadik graves in Poland and Europe; pilgrims arrive here from all over the world.

The tzadik who changed Galicia

Elimelech (Lipmann Weissblum) settled in Leżajsk in 1772 and three years later became the town's rabbi. He established his court here, supported by the donations of Hasidim, and turned Leżajsk into the most important centre of Hasidism in Galicia. His students included Jakub Icchak Horowic, Naftali of Ropczyce and Menachem Mendel of Rymanów.

History of the grave

The original matzevah dates from 1776 and survives to this day. The wooden ohel from the 19th century was torn down in 1940 by the German occupiers, who also dug up the grave in search of valuables — according to the accounts, the tzadik's remains lay for a few days under a tree before Jews buried them again. Legend has it that while the grave was being dug up, the tzadik looked sadly at the perpetrators, and fear drove them away — the rest of the cemetery survived. After the war the ohel was rebuilt and enlarged, keeping the original matzevah.

In practice

The cemetery is accessible round the clock, except on Shabbat (from Friday evening to Saturday evening). This is a place of worship — keep quiet and respectful. Combine the visit with a walk around Leżajsk's market square.