Orpa

Orpa (Орпа, אָרפּאַ) is a village located in the Vileyka District of Minsk Region, Belarus. It is situated in the northwestern part of the country.

Geography
Orpa is positioned in a rural area, surrounded by forests and agricultural lands. The village is approximately 80 km north of Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and 20 km from the district center, Vileyka.

Orpa is also the name of a river in the Vileyka District of Minsk Region. The river is 9 km long and begins 1.5 km northwest of the village of Arpa, flowing into the Vileyka Reservoir near the village of Rabun. The lower part of the river is canalized for 2 km and receives drainage from reclamation channels.

History
Orpa has a rich and notable history. The land that Orpa occupies was once part of the extensive holdings of Count Potocki, one of the wealthiest and most influential noble families in Poland. The Potocki family were prominent landowners and political figures, with vast estates spread across Poland and Belarus.

In 1812, during Napoleon's invasion of Russia, the French army passed through the territory of Count Potocki. Among the soldiers was Rabbi Mordechai Chodosh, who had been drafted as a physician. When the Count's son fell gravely ill, Mordechai's successful treatment of the boy earned him the Count's gratitude. As a reward, Count Potocki offered Mordechai a lease on a piece of his land in White Russia. Due to restrictions on Jewish land ownership, a renewable 99-year lease was arranged.

Mordechai named the estate Orper Hof, inspired by the Biblical Orpah. Over time, the name of the estate was adopted for the surrounding area, which became known as Orpa. The estate quickly became a hub of activity, featuring various agricultural and industrial operations, including orchards, a dairy, a sawmill, and a water mill. It was self-sustaining, producing its own food, fabrics, and a popular fermented drink called Kvass.

The estate had over 15 disintines of land, with one disintine being more than 2,700 acres. It had various orchards of cherry, apple, and pear trees, a logging camp, fabric production facilities, and a meat processing plant. The Pony Express was also quartered there for the local government. The estate served the local community with a cheder for Jewish children, a soup kitchen for the poor, and a pharmacy run by the family.

Orpa flourished for over a century, but its prosperity ended during World War II when the Nazis destroyed it, leaving only a stone well as a remnant. After the war, a kolkhoz was established in the area.

Administratively, Orpa was part of the Russian Empire in the early 1900s. Between 1920 and 1939, it fell under Polish jurisdiction. Since 2017, it has been part of the Republic of Belarus.

Demographics
As of the latest data, the village of Orpa has a small population, primarily consisting of local Belarusians engaged in agriculture and related activities.

Culture and Community
The community in Orpa is known for its traditional Belarusian culture, with local festivals and events that reflect the heritage of the region. The village maintains a quiet, rural atmosphere, with close-knit community ties.