Peshischa Hasidim (Yiddish: Pshisiche chasidim) – Hasidic dynasty founded by Yaakov Yitzhak ben Asher (1766–1813), known as HaYehudi HaKadosh (Hebrew: “Holy Jew”), disciple of Dovid Biedermann of Lelov and Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz of Lublin, remaining in an ideological conflict with the latter.

He solidified Hasidic influence in central Poland, founding his court in Przysucha (Radom District). Just like the Lubavitch tzaddik, in his teachings he emphasised the study of the Torah and Talmud, and opposed the ignorance which characterised many Hasidic groups valuing mystical practices over the knowledge of the holy texts. He criticised the belief in the miracle-working power of tzaddikim. One of his sayings gained great popularity: “It is not difficult to perform miracles, but it is truly difficult to be a Jew.” His most outstanding disciples were Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk (Kock), and Chanokh Heynekh HaKohen Levin of Aleksander (Aleksandrów). The tzaddik’s successor was Simcha Bunim, whose best disciple, apart from Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, was Yitzchak Meir Rothenberg Alter, tzaddik of the Ger Hasidim. The teachings of Simcha Bunim, collected in Kol Somcha (Hebrew: “The Voice of Simcha,” 1859), were published posthumously by his disciples. After his death, the position of the tzaddik was taken over by his son, Avraham Moshe, who was later followed by Israel Yitzchak Kalish of Vurka (Warka). However, most of his followers joined Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, and the Peshischa group ceased to exist. 

Alina Cała

The entry was originally published on the Diapozytyw portal, previously owned by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. It is an excerpt from the book Historia i kultura Żydów polskich. Słownik by Alina Cała, Hanna Węgrzynek, and Gabriela Zalewska, published by the WSiP.