Rașcov (Moldovan Cyrillic: Рашков; alternative names Râșcov, Rașcu; in Ukrainian: Рашків, Rashkiv, Russian: Рашково, Rashkovo, Polish: Raszków) is one of the oldest communes of Transnistria. It is located in the northern part, between Rîbnița and Camenca. It is composed of two villages, Iantarnoe (Янтарне, Янтарное) and Rașcov.[1]
Raşcov was the home of Rabbi Jacob Joseph of Polonne, a leading Jewish Hasidic tzaddik and one of the first disciples of the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov. His book, Toldos Yaacov Yosef, (published on 1780), was the first hasidic work ever published. His work is one of the foremost sources for saying of the Baal Shem Tov and members of his court, and Jacob Joseph quotes things he himself heard the Baal Shem Tov say in a section entitled "Words I Heard from My Master."[8]
Rașcov and the surrounding area is home to numerous historic monuments and architecture, among them the PolishRoman CatholicSaint Cajetan Church, considered a historical heritage.[9] It has recently undergone extensive renovation.
The church was built when this part of Transnistria was a part of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom, with generous contributions by the Moldavian prince Petru Rareş.
Outside Rașcov is located the Rascov National Park, an extensive natural landscape preserve,
and an ecologically protected area.[10][11][12]
More recently, the Transnistrian separatist authorities have edited an Atlas of Transnistria, which refers to the area around Rașcov as the "Transnistrian Alps": Time, wind, and water have eroded the abrupt slopes near the village of Rașcov, having formed the limestone outliers, towering above the slopes.[13]
^Transnistria's political status is disputed. It considers itself to be an independent state, but this is not recognised by any UN member state. The Moldovan government and the international community consider Transnistria a part of Moldova's territory.
Moldova
Transnistria[a]
