Yisroel Hopsztajn

Who was Yisroel Hopsztajn?

Yisroel Hopsztajn, also known as the Maggid of Kozhnitz, was a rabbi and Hasidic leader in Poland.

He was born in Opatów, where his father Shabsay was a bookbinder. He was named for the founder of Hasidic Judaism, Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov.

Hopsztajn worked for a period with Dov Ber of Mezeritch. He was one of the major influences in bringing Hasidism to Congress Poland and founded the Kozhnitz Hasidic dynasty.