Yisroel Hopstein
{{Short description|Hasidic leader of Poland (1737–1814)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox rebbe
| title = Maggid of Kozhnitz
| image = Isroel Hopsztajn.jpg
| caption =
| main_work = title of main seifer
| successor = Moshe Elyakim
| spouse = Royze
| dynasty = Kozhnitz (Hasidic dynasty)
| father = Shabbetai
| mother = Perl
| birth_date = 1737
| birth_place = Opatów, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
| death_date = 1814
| death_place = Kozienice, Duchy of Warsaw
}}
Yisroel Hopstein (1737–1814),{{cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/person/Israel%20Hopstein%20of%20Kozhnitz
|title=Israel Hopstein of Kozhnitz |quote=1737–1814 CE}} also known as the Maggid of Kozhnitz,{{cite web |title=Rabbi Israel – The Maggid of Kozhnitz
|url=http://www.hevratpinto.org/tzadikim_eng/129_rabbi_israel_the_maggid_of_kozhnitz.html}} was the founder of Kozhnitz Hasidism, and a noted hasidic leader in Poland during the late 18th and early 19th century.(Hebrew (quote): מגדולי האדמו"רים בפולין במאה ה19-18 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.genazym.com/auction/607-genazym-8-prime/lot-114-9/ |title=Lot 114 |website=genazym.com |access-date=2024-10-16}}
Hopstein lived for years in Kozhnitz (Kozienice),
and died the 14th of Tishrei{{cite web
|url=https://issuu.com/jewishpress.com/docs/jp092118_low
|title=Maggid of Kozenitz (Kozienice) and author of Avodas Yisrael (14th Tishrei, 1814)
}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (September 28, 1814).J2G output for "01/14/5575" is "09/28/1814."{{cite web
|url=https://www.facebook.com/JewishGenealogyPortal/posts/the-maggid-of-kozhnits-kozienice-and-his-contemporary-the-seer-of-lublin-were-th/693702790708185
|title=The Maggid of Kozhnits (Kozienice)|website=Facebook }}
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,{{cite web
|title=Rabbi Moshe Elyokim Briah HAPSTEIN (OR HOPSTEIN)
|url=http://www.kencohenlaw.ca/family_tree/ps01/ps01_279.htm
|quote=Name – Rabbi Moshe Elyokim Briah HAPSTEIN (OR HOPSTEIN), Father – Magid Of Koznitz Rabbi Israel Ben Shabbetai HAPSTEIN.
|access-date=October 22, 2018
|archive-date=October 22, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073501/http://www.kencohenlaw.ca/family_tree/ps01/ps01_279.htm
|url-status=dead
}}
- 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:
- [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/30802 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
- [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/10921 Gevurat Yisrael], a commentary on the Haggadah of Pesach
- [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/34135 Nezer Yisrael], a commentary on the Zohar
- She'erit Yisrael on Midrash,
- [http://hebrewbooks.org/40590 Ta'amei Mitzvot], a commentary on the 613 Mitzvot
- Yakar MiPaz on Torah
- [http://www.mysefer.com/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=91&P_ID=4362&strPageHistory=&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=73 Or Yisrael], a commentary on the Tikunei HaZohar
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book|author= Aryeh Kaplan|author-link= Aryeh Kaplan|title= The Chasidic Masters and Their Teachings|publisher=Moznaim|location=Jerusalem|year=1984}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hopsztajn, Yisroel}}
Category:Polish Hasidic rabbis
Category:Hasidic rabbis in Europe
Category:Kozhnitz (Hasidic dynasty)
Category:Students of Dov Ber of Mezeritch
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