Samuel Horowitz

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The tombstone of Samuel Horowitz in Nikolsburg

Samuel Schmelke Horowitz von Nikolsburg (* 1726 in Czortków (today Ternopil Oblast , Ukraine ), † April 28, 1778 in Nikolsburg ) was a Hasidic rabbi and Kabbalist .

Life

He was the older brother of Pinchas Horowitz , and in their youth both belonged to Rabbi Dow Bär von Mesritsch's circle of students . Samuel initially served as rabbi in Polish and Galician communities: in 1754 he was called to Ryczwal and in 1766 to Sieniawa . From 1773 until his death he officiated in the Moravian city ​​of Nikolsburg, first as chairman of the Jewish court of justice and then as rabbi of Moravia.

The latter appointment led to fierce opposition from the parishioners, but Empress Maria Theresa confirmed him in his office because of his Hasidic lifestyle and his knowledge of Orthodox Judaism , despite a lack of knowledge of German and although he did not know the laws of the country.

Samuel Horowitz is considered a pioneer of Hasidism. Although numerous miracle stories have been passed down about him in Hasidic legends, he did not adopt the complete teaching of Hasidism in the sense of its founder Baal Shem Tov . Although he surrounded himself with a group of young students and taught them the principles of Hasidism, he lived as an ascetic at home and maintained a detached relationship with people. His teachings and writings speak of a protest against the superficial and frivolous way of life that was common among the majority of the Hasidim then living.

Works (selection)

His works include Diwre Shmu'el ("Words of Samuel"), with homiletic and cabalistic commentaries as well as short stories on the Talmud tractate Bava batra , and Nesir ha-Shem ("The Nazarite of God "), with short stories on Shulchan Aruch . In the course of a controversy about Hasidism at the time, Samuel Horowitz asked Rabbis von Brody to oppose the ban imposed on Hasidism by the Vilna Gaon , denying allegations that Hasidic followers were disregarding Jewish tradition.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Horowitz, Samuel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Horowitz von Nikolsburg, Samuel Schmelke
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Hasidic rabbi
DATE OF BIRTH 1726
PLACE OF BIRTH Czortków (today Ternopil Oblast , Ukraine )
DATE OF DEATH April 28, 1778
Place of death Nikolsburg