Yisroel Hopstein (1737–1814), also known as the Maggid of Kozhnitz, was the founder of Kozhnitz Hasidism, and a noted '' hasidic'' leader in Poland during the late 18th and early 19th century. He was a student of both the Magid/

Dov Ber of Mezeritch Dov Ber ben Avraham of Mezeritch ( yi, דֹּב בֶּער מִמֶּזְרִיטְשְׁ; died December 1772 OS), also known as the '' Maggid of Mezeritch'', was a disciple of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (the Baal Shem Tov), the founder of Hasidi ...

and

Elimelech of Lizhensk Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717–March 11, 1787) was a rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement. He was known after his hometown, Leżajsk ( yi, ליזשענסק, translit=Lizhensk) near Rzeszów in Poland. He was ...

, and wrote many books on Chassidus and

Kabbalah Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The defin ...

. He is sometimes referred to as "the Avodat Yisrael" for his works.

Biography

Hopstein was born in

Opatów Opatów (; yi, אַפּטאַ, אַפּט) is a town in southeastern Poland, within Opatów County in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (Holy Cross Province). Historically, it was part of a greater region called Lesser Poland. In 2012 the populati ...

, to his father, Shabbetai, who was at an advanced age, after having received a blessing from the

Baal Shem Tov Israel ben Eliezer (1698 – 22 May 1760), known as the Baal Shem Tov ( he, בעל שם טוב, ) or as the Besht, was a Jewish mystic and healer who is regarded as the founder of Hasidic Judaism. "Besht" is the acronym for Baal Shem Tov, which ...

. The father was a bookbinder; his mother's name was Perl. As a young child he was recognized as an ''

illui ''Illui'' ( he, עילוי or עלוי also ilui; pronounced plural: ''illuim'') is a young Torah and Talmudic prodigy or genius. The Hebrew term and title is applied to exceptional Talmudic scholars among Orthodox Jews. It is used among Engli ...

'' (prodigy). He studied under the tutelage of Rabbi

Shmelke of Nikolsburg Shmuel Shmelke HaLevi Horowitz of Nikolsburg (Yiddish: שמואל שמעלקי הלוי הורוויץ פון ניקאלשפורג, ; 1726 – April 28, 1778) also known as the Rebbe Reb Shmelke was an early Hasidic master and kabbalist, who is am ...

, who eventually convinced Hopstein to learn with Dov Ber, the ''Maggid of Mezritch''. After the passing of Dov Ber, he went to learn with

. Hopstein lived for years in Kozhnitz (Kozienice), was founder of the Kozhnitz Hasidic dynasty, and died the 14th of Tishrei (September 28, 1814).

Family

Hopstein was married to Royze. They had 3 children, (two sons and one daughter): * Rabbi Moshe Elyakim who eventually replaced his father as Rebbe after Hopstein's death, * Leah Perl (who married Avi Ezra Zelig Shapira, Rabbi of Grenitz), and, * Mottel, who died in his youth. * His great-grandson was Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira of Piaseczna.

Works

Hopstein authored many works, including:
Avodat Yisrael
a commentary on the Torah and

Pirkei Avot Pirkei Avot ( he, פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת; also transliterated as ''Pirqei Avoth'' or ''Pirkei Avos'' or ''Pirke Aboth''), which translates to English as Chapters of the Fathers, is a compilation of the ethical teachings and maxims from ...

* Beit Yisrael on Talmud * Chidushei Maggid Mishna on Mishnayot * Geulat Yisrael on Maharal's works
Gevurat Yisrael
a commentary on the

Haggadah of Pesach The Haggadah ( he, הַגָּדָה, "telling"; plural: Haggadot) is a Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder. According to Jewish practice, reading the Haggadah at the Seder table is a fulfillment of the mitzvah to each J ...

Nezer Yisrael
a commentary on the Zohar * She'erit Yisrael on Midrash,
Ta'amei Mitzvot
a commentary on the 613 Mitzvot * Yakar MiPaz on Torah
Or Yisrael
a commentary on the

Tikunei HaZohar Tikunei haZohar (תקוני הזהר, lit. "Repairs of the ''Zohar''"), also known as the ''Tikunim'' (תקונים), is a main text of the Kabbalah which was composed in the 14th century. It is a separate appendix to the ''Zohar'' consisting ...

References

* 1737 births 1814 deaths People from Opatów Hasidic rebbes Polish Hasidic rabbis Hasidic rabbis in Europe Maggidim Kozhnitz (Hasidic dynasty) Students of Dov Ber of Mezeritch {{Poland-rabbi-stub