Simcha Bunim of Peshischa

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

Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa (Przysucha, in Poland) (1765–1827) was one of the key 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 Rabinowicz (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 practicing pharmacy. At a later stage, he became an agent for Temerl Bergson, a wealthy businesswoman who supported many of the chasidic leaders during her time.

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

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.

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