Simcha Bunim of Peshischa

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Simcha Bunim of Peshischa
Rebbe Reb Binem
Term	1813 – 1827
Full name	Symcha Bunem Bonhart
Main work	Kol Simcha
Born	c. 1767
	Bendin
Died	4 September, 1827 (12 Elul 5587)
	Przysucha
Buried	Przysucha
Successor	Menachem Mendel of Kotzk Yisroel Yitschok of Vurke Avrohom Moshe of Przysucha Yaakov Arye of Radzymin
Father	The magid of Voydislav
Wife 1	Ryfka
Issue 1	Avrohom Moshe

Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa (1765-1827) was one of the main leaders of Hasidic Judaism in Poland. After studying Torah at yeshivas in Mattersdorf and Nikolsburg, he was introduced to the world of Hasidism by his father-in-law, and became a chasid (follower) of Rabbi Yisroel Hopsztajn (Magid of Kozhnitz), and then Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin (Chozeh), and the Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowitz (Yid Hakodosh), the Hasidic leaders of the day. After the death of the Yid Hakodosh, most of the chasidim followed Rabbi Simcha Bunim as their rebbe.

Not wanting to take up a rabbinical position, he supported himself by practising pharmacy. At a later stage he became an agent for Temerl Bergson, a wealthy businesswoman who supported many of the chasidic leaders of her time.

Among his followers were Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (Kotsker Rebbe), the Vurker Rebbe, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter (Chidushei Harim), Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izhbitz, Rabbi Yaakov Arye of Radzymin and Rav Chanoch Heynekh of Alexander.

[edit] Writings

Some of the teachings of the Rebbe Reb Binem have been collected in Kol Simcha.

[edit] Bibliography

Alan Brill, "Grandeur and Humility in the Writings of R. Simhah Bunim of Przysucha," in Hazon Nahum

Glenn Dynner, "Merchant Princes and Tsadikim: The Patronage of Polish Hasidism" Jewish Social Studies - Volume 12, Number 1, Fall 2005 (New Series), pp. 64-110

Mahler, Raphael. Hasidism and the Jewish Enlightenment: Their Confrontation in Galicia and Poland in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century;

Glenn Dynner, "Men of Silk: The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society" (NY: Oxford University Press, 2006)