Yisroel Hopstein

Yisroel Hopstein
Title	Maggid of Kozhnitz
Personal life
Born	1737 Opatów, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Died	1814 Kozienice, Duchy of Warsaw
Parents	Shabbetai (father) Perl (mother)
Religious life
Religion	Judaism
Jewish leader
Successor	Moshe Elyakim

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 and Elimelech of Lizhensk, and wrote many books on Chassidus and Kabbalah. He is sometimes referred to as "the Avodat Yisrael" for his works.

Biography

Hopstein was born in Opatów, to his father, Shabbetai, who was at an advanced age, after having received a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov. The father was a bookbinder; his mother's name was Perl.

As a young child he was recognized as an illui (prodigy). He studied under the tutelage of Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, who eventually convinced Hopstein to learn with Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch. After the passing of Dov Ber, he went to learn with Elimelech of Lizhensk.

After the passing of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizansk, the Magid began to lead a community of Hassidim and thus began the establishment of Kozhnitz Hasidic dynasty. He was known for his greatness in the Torah, both in the biblical and halachic aspect and in the kabbalistic and mystical aspect. His publication also resulted from the miracles he performed mainly in the field of healing the sick in a miraculous way through his prayer to God.

Hopstein lived for years in Kozhnitz (Kozienice), 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
• Beit Yisrael on Talmud
• Chidushei Maggid Mishna on Mishnayot
• Geulat Yisrael on Maharal's works
• Gevurat Yisrael, a commentary on the Haggadah of Pesach
• 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

References

• Aryeh Kaplan (1984). The Chasidic Masters and Their Teachings. Jerusalem: Moznaim.