Simcha Bunim of Peshischa

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 Israel Yitzhak Kalish, Rabbi Yitschok Myer Alter of Ger (Chidushei Harim), Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izhbitz (Mei HaShiloach), Rabbi Yaakov Arye of Radzymin and Rav Chanoch Heynekh of Alexander.
==Writings==
He wrote no works of his own, but many of his teachings were transmitted orally, some of which have been collected in Kol Simcha. Others are cited in later works.
==Bibliography==
* Rabbi Dr. Michael Rosen. Quest for Authenticity - The thought of Reb Simhah Bunim, Jerusalem, Urim Publications, 2008.
* 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;
* Kol Simcha (Hebrew)
* Buber, Martin, "Tales of the Hasidim Vol. 2", 1946
==External links==
* the Rebbe Reb Bunim On Bereishit
Category:1765 births
Category:1827 deaths
Simcha Bunim of Prshiskhe
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