Defender of Israel

Rabbi Levi-Yitzhak of Berdichev (1740–1810) — an important Hasidic teacher of the late 18th to early 19th century, a disseminator and widely recognized leader of Hasidism in Volhynia, revered as a saint. It can be said that for Jews living in Eastern Europe, he was the second most significant and authoritative figure in the Hasidic movement, second only to the Baal Shem Tov himself. His fundamental work, Kdushat Levi (“Holiness of Levi”) — is still one of the most read Hasidic works today. Rabbi Levi-Yitzhak was not only a rabbi and an influential Hasidic leader but also one of the most profound and original thinkers produced by the Hasidic movement. He also became a beloved hero of Hasidic folklore. Stories about him are found in numerous collections and hagiographical works. This book is a fundamental academic study of the life and work of Rabbi Levi-Yitzhak and at the same time a detailed account of his spiritual journey.