Twentieth of Sivan

Twentieth of Sivan is a day of remembrance in the Jewish calendar for the victims of the Khmelnytsky Uprising in 1648-1649, during which tens of thousands of Jews were killed in what is now Ukraine. This day was designated by the Council of Four Lands, an autonomous Jewish governing body in Poland and Lithuania, which was in operation from the 16th to the 18th century. The Twentieth of Sivan was observed as a day of fasting and mourning, similar to other days of remembrance such as the Tisha B'Av.

Background

The Khmelnytsky Uprising, led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, was a rebellion against Polish rule in Ukraine. It resulted in the massacre of a significant portion of the Jewish population in the area, as Jews were often targeted due to their role as tax collectors and intermediaries between the Polish landlords and the Ukrainian peasants. The events of 1648-1649 are considered one of the darkest periods in Jewish history in Eastern Europe.

Observance

The Twentieth of Sivan was established as a day of mourning and remembrance for the victims of these massacres. The observance included fasting, the recitation of special prayers (Selichot), and the reading of Megillat Eicha (the Book of Lamentations), which is also read on Tisha B'Av. The day served as a solemn reminder of the tragedies that befell the Jewish community during the Khmelnytsky Uprising.

Historical Significance

The designation of the Twentieth of Sivan as a day of remembrance highlights the impact of the Khmelnytsky Uprising on the Jewish community. It reflects the broader historical context of Jewish suffering and persecution in Eastern Europe. The day also underscores the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity and their commitment to remembering and mourning their losses.

Modern Observance

In modern times, the observance of the Twentieth of Sivan has diminished, partly due to the establishment of Yom HaShoah, a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust, which has taken on a more central role in Jewish communal memory. However, the Twentieth of Sivan remains a part of Jewish historical consciousness, and some communities and individuals continue to commemorate the day in memory of the victims of the Khmelnytsky Uprising.

See Also

• Jewish history
• Jewish holidays
• Yom HaShoah
• Tisha B'Av