Skip to content
This English version of the site was translated with AI assistance. We apologise for any errors and are working to improve it.
Сила Теилим

19 Tishrei · Yahrzeit

Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischa - the Yid HaKadosh

Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak bar Asher of Peshischa - the Yid HaKadosh (1766—1813)

Yahrzeit - 19 Tishrei;

He was born in the Polish town of Przedbórz.

His father was the head of the rabbinical court and a maggid (public preacher) in that town.

After his marriage he settled in Opatów, immersing himself entirely in the study of Torah.

Rising at midnight, he would immerse in a mikveh and study until dawn — and none of those around him knew of this.

Under the influence of R. Moshe Leib of Sasov, who was living in Opatów at that time as well, R. Yaakov Yitzchak joined the Chassidic movement. For several years he worked as a melamed in various small towns, and then, on the advice of R. David of Lelov, he began visiting the "court" of the outstanding Chassidic mentor R. Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz (the Chozeh of Lublin).

He became one of the Chozeh's closest disciples, and the Chozeh regarded him as his spiritual heir and successor.

Since his name was identical to that of his mentor, out of respect for the Chozeh his fellow disciples did not call him by name, but simply, in Yiddish, der Yid ("this Jew") — and it was under this name that he later became renowned.

When his period of discipleship came to an end, he settled in the town of Przysucha.

In 1795, following the Third Partition of Poland, this town came under the rule of Austria-Hungary, and later, as a result of the Congress of Vienna, was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland under Russian occupation.

Thanks to the activity of the Yid, around whom thousands of Chassidim gathered, this town became one of the most significant centers of the Chassidic movement.

Marveling at the exceptional piety and spiritual purity of their mentor, the Chassidim began calling him the Yid HaKadosh (the Holy Jew).

In his teaching, the Yid HaKadosh especially emphasized the necessity of deep Torah study. His insights and reflections are contained in his books Nifla'ot HaYehudi (Wonders of the Jew), Tiferet HaYehudi (Splendor of the Jew), Torat HaYehudi (Torah of the Jew), and Keter HaYehudi (Crown of the Jew).

His closest disciples were R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (see), R. Moshe of Lelov (see), and R. Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (the Kotzker Rebbe), who became the spiritual leaders of the following generation of Chassidism.

R. Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischa, the Yid HaKadosh, passed away on 19 Tishrei, 1813.

Leadership of his Chassidim passed to R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa. In time, from the school founded in Przysucha there developed such important and fruitful Chassidic movements as Kotzk and Ger.

  The Suffering of Am Yisrael Gaon Yanuka told a story about the Yid HaKadosh - Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischa, who would take upon himself the suffering of the Jewish people. Because of this, his wife would not allow the Chassidim to approach him and share their troubles, since she was worried about the toll it would take on him. After the passing of the Yid HaKadosh, the Chassidim did not dare to visit his widow, for they felt resentment toward her for having limited their access to the tzadik. However, one of the Chassidim decided to visit her, to ask why she had been so strict in not letting them come close to her husband. When he asked her, she explained: "Every time a Jew would come to my husband seeking salvation, I would hear him turn to the Almighty and say: 'I am ready to sacrifice my own children if it will bring salvation to this person.' That is why I did not let you in — I could not allow him to take on such a burden."   (from a lesson by Gaon Yanuka, from the Toldot website)