Levi Jizchak from Berdychev

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Levi Jizchak ben Meir von Berditschew ( Yiddish לוי יצחק בערדיטשעווער, Ukrainian Леві Іцхак з Бердичева , Russian Леви Ицхак из Бердичева ; * 1740 , Huszaków, Galicia ; died 1810 , Berdyczów ) was a Hasidic rabbi and tzaddik .

Life

Levi Jizchak came from a rabbinical family, his father was a rabbi in a small Galician town. After his marriage, Levi Jizchak moved to his father-in-law's house in Lubartów , where he continued his Torah studies . At this time he made the acquaintance of Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov . In 1766 he made a study trip to Rabbi Dow Bär von Mesritsch and became one of his most loyal students. He then became a rabbi in Żelechów , Poland , for a short time , where he soon had to leave the place due to opposition from Mitnagdim (opponents of Hasidism). This is proven by a letter from 1774. In 1775 he became rabbi ofPinsk was elected, but was also dismissed there due to pressure from the Mitnagdim , who were supported by the Vilna Gaon . In 1785 he moved to Berditschew and served there as a rabbi until his death. In Berdichev Levi Yitzchak gained great fame as a rabbi, Hasidic leader and Torah scholar. His opponents also recognized his erudition here, but complained about his lack of Kabbalistic knowledge. He often took part in political issues relating to the Russian Empire . At the beginning of the 19th century he discussed the state ban on Jewish settlement in the villages and other announced measures with other leading figures; In 1807 his name was at the top of a list of Jewish supporters of the Russian war effort against the anticipated French invasion by Napoleon . In 1793 he fell seriously ill and received support from Israel ben Schabtai , the Maggid of Kozienice.

Work and effect

The Levi Yitzchak mausoleum in the Jewish cemetery in Berdychiv

Levi Jizchak is considered to be the founder of Hasidism in central Poland and has contributed a lot to the spread of the movement in Lithuania and Ukraine. On his travels through the country he was accompanied by his minyan and won numerous followers for Hasidism. A Mitnaged, Israel Loebl, describes a visit to the tzaddik in Warsaw and his Mincha -Gebet in Łazienki Park . His collection of sermons, Keduschat Levi , was published several times during his lifetime (1798, 1806), and in 1811 his sons supplemented it from manuscripts that had been left behind. In his teachings he emphasized the element of joy in Hasidism, the principle of devotion to God ( dewekut ), and the need to carry out prayer to the stage of "abstraction from corporeality". In an intense prayer, "the spirit of man rejoices with all his heart and soul, because he is lifted up from the material world and only the spirit remains" (Keduschat Levi, commentary on the week section Wajera). He became known for his sung prayers, in which he addressed the Creator in Yiddish . He distinguished between two types of preacher: One exhorts “with good words”, shows people “his merit and the source of his soul”, expresses his positive qualities and shows him opportunities for ascent. The other admonishes “with strict words” and threatens to force respect. "Only those who gently admonish people, lift up their souls and always emphasize their righteousness are worthy to lead them." (Keduschat Levi)

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Remarks

  1. ↑ or Hussaków , today Gussakiv , Lviv Oblast , Ukraine?
personal data
SURNAME Levi Jizchak from Berdychev
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Levi Jizchak ben Meir from Berditschew
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Hasidic rabbi and tzaddik
DATE OF BIRTH 1740
DATE OF DEATH 1810