Simcha Bunim of Peshischa

Who was Simcha Bunim of Peshischa?

Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa 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 of Rabbi Yisroel Hopsztajn, and then Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin, and the Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz, 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, the Vurker Rebbe Israel Yitzhak Kalish, Rabbi Yitschok Myer Alter of Ger, Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izhbitz, Rabbi Yaakov Arye of Radzymin and Rav Chanoch Heynekh of Alexander.