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'''Rabbi Jacob Joseph of Polonne''', (1710-1784) (in Hebrew יעקב יוסף הכהן) is also known as '''Yaakov Yosef HaKohain''' of Polnoye, was one of the first and most dedicated of the disciples of the founder of Chassidut, the Holy [[Baal Shem Tov]].
'''Jacob Joseph of [[Polonne]]''', (1710–1784) ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: {{Script/Hebrew|יעקב יוסף הכהן}}) or '''Yaakov Yosef of Pollonye''', was a rabbi who was one of the first disciples of the founder of [[Hasidic Judaism]], the [[Baal Shem Tov]].


==Biography==
Yaakov Yosef (sometimes spelt Yacov Yoseph) had been a fervent adherent to the school of Lurianic Kabbalah<ref>Dresner, Samuel H. (Rabbi). ''The Zaddik - The Doctrine of the Zaddik according to the writings of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoy'', Shocken Books, 1974.[ISBN 0-8052-0437-7] p. 50.</ref>. He was already an accomplished scholar when he attached himself to the Baal Shem Tov, and his becoming a disciple engendered much controversy, and indeed some persecution. At that time, he was the rabbi of the city of [[Shargorod]] for several years, and he was expelled from his position on a Friday afternoon in 1748. In several of his ''responsa'', which he wrote in [[Rashkov]], where he took up residence after his banishment from Sharogrod, he reveals the suffering which he had undergone.<ref> ''Ibid'', p.57</ref>. Later, he was appointed rabbi in [[Nemirov]], a center of Hasidism, where he practised daily fasting for five years, until the [[Besht]] came upon him.
Yaakov Yosef had been an adherent of the school of [[Lurianic Kabbalah]].<ref>Dresner, Samuel H. (Rabbi). ''The Zaddik - The Doctrine of the Zaddik according to the writings of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoy'', Shocken Books, 1974 (reissue of the Abelard-Schuman ed., London, 1960) {{ISBN|0-8052-0437-7}}; p. 50.</ref> Before becoming [[chassidic]] he was the rabbi of the city of [[Sharhorod]] for several years, where his pietistic asceticism and self-isolation alienated his community and led to his being fired from his position on a Friday afternoon (just before [[Shabbat]]) in 1748.<ref name="yivoencyclopedia"/> Afterwards he joined the new hasidic movement and settled in [[Rașcov]].


His book, ''Toldos Yaacov Yosef'', (published on 1780), was the first [[chassidic]] work ever published. In it repeats the phrase, "''I have heard from my teacher''", 249 times. He is one of the foremost sources for teachings from the Baal Shem Tov. Reb Yaacov Yosef was also somewhat known for his abrupt temperament, yet his teachings on the Zaddik, the saint-mystic and holy leader, provide an example of attainment of the highest degree of spiritual solitude, while also exemplifying the piety of a respected leader at the center of the community.
His book ''[[Toldot Yaakov Yosef|Toldos Yaacov Yosef]]'', (published in 1780), was the first chassidic work ever published. He is a major source for the Baal Shem Tov's sayings, and quotes those he himself heard firsthand in a section called "Words I Heard from My Master."<ref name="yivoencyclopedia"/>

==Teachings==
He says of the dual requirement in Judaism to both love and fear God that when one reaches a high level of inwardness of the soul, fear and love of God coalesce into one, becoming indistinguishable from one another, eliminating the need to give priority to one over the other.<ref>Sherwin, Byron L. "Fear of God." ''20th Century Jewish Religious Thought: Original Essays on Critical Concepts, Movements, and Beliefs''. Arthur Allen Cohen, Paul Mendes-Flohr eds. Jewish Publication Society. 2009. Page 252.</ref>

==Works==
He wrote four books:<ref>Bloch, Joshua. "A Legendary Edition of the" Toledot Yaakob Yosef" by Jacob Joseph ha-Kohen of Polonnoye." ''The Jewish Quarterly Review'' 31, no. 3 (1941): 245-257.</ref>
* ''Toledot Yaakov Yosef'' (1780). The first Chassidic work ever published, and the primary source for various sayings of the Ba‘al Shem Tov as well as members of his inner circle.<ref name="yivoencyclopedia">Haviva Pedaya (N.D.). [https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Yaakov_Yosef_of_Polnoye Ya‘akov Yosef of Polnoye], yivoencyclopedia.org</ref> It is "in the main a compilation of sermons, arranged according to the [[Weekly Torah portion|Torah portion of the week]].... [and] contains the most basic paradigms of the [[Hasidic philosophy|Hasidic worldview]]."<ref name="yivoencyclopedia"/>
* ''Ben Porat Yosef'' (1781). Sermons, mainly on [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]]; also, the first book to contain “Igeret ‘aliyat ha-neshamah” (The Epistle of the Ascendance of the Soul).
* ''Tzafnat Paneach'' (1782), on [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]]
* ''Ketonet Pasim'' (1866; published posthumously), on [[Book of Leviticus|Leviticus]] and [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]].

The titles of these four works are all biblical allusions to Jacob Joseph's own name, in particular the figure of Joseph.<ref>Rosman, Moshe, and Murray Jay Rosman. ''Founder of Hasidism: A Quest for the Historical Ba'al Shem Tov''. University of California Press. 1996. Page 138.</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>


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[[Category:18th-century rabbis]]
[[Category:Hasidic rabbis]]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacob Joseph of Polonne}}
{{Rabbi-stub}}
[[Category:18th-century rabbis from the Russian Empire]]

[[Category:Hasidic rabbis]]
[[de:Jakob Josef von Polonoje]]
[[Category:1710 births]]
[[fr:Yaakov Yossef Hakohen de Polnoa]]
[[Category:1784 deaths]]
[[he:יעקב יוסף כ"ץ]]
[[yi:יעקב יוסף פון פולנאה]]

Latest revision as of 01:42, 5 September 2024

Jacob Joseph of Polonne, (1710–1784) (Hebrew: יעקב יוסף הכהן‎) or Yaakov Yosef of Pollonye, was a rabbi who was one of the first disciples of the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov.

Biography

[edit]

Yaakov Yosef had been an adherent of the school of Lurianic Kabbalah.[1] Before becoming chassidic he was the rabbi of the city of Sharhorod for several years, where his pietistic asceticism and self-isolation alienated his community and led to his being fired from his position on a Friday afternoon (just before Shabbat) in 1748.[2] Afterwards he joined the new hasidic movement and settled in Rașcov.

His book Toldos Yaacov Yosef, (published in 1780), was the first chassidic work ever published. He is a major source for the Baal Shem Tov's sayings, and quotes those he himself heard firsthand in a section called "Words I Heard from My Master."[2]

Teachings

[edit]

He says of the dual requirement in Judaism to both love and fear God that when one reaches a high level of inwardness of the soul, fear and love of God coalesce into one, becoming indistinguishable from one another, eliminating the need to give priority to one over the other.[3]

Works

[edit]

He wrote four books:[4]

  • Toledot Yaakov Yosef (1780). The first Chassidic work ever published, and the primary source for various sayings of the Ba‘al Shem Tov as well as members of his inner circle.[2] It is "in the main a compilation of sermons, arranged according to the Torah portion of the week.... [and] contains the most basic paradigms of the Hasidic worldview."[2]
  • Ben Porat Yosef (1781). Sermons, mainly on Genesis; also, the first book to contain “Igeret ‘aliyat ha-neshamah” (The Epistle of the Ascendance of the Soul).
  • Tzafnat Paneach (1782), on Exodus
  • Ketonet Pasim (1866; published posthumously), on Leviticus and Numbers.

The titles of these four works are all biblical allusions to Jacob Joseph's own name, in particular the figure of Joseph.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dresner, Samuel H. (Rabbi). The Zaddik - The Doctrine of the Zaddik according to the writings of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoy, Shocken Books, 1974 (reissue of the Abelard-Schuman ed., London, 1960) ISBN 0-8052-0437-7; p. 50.
  2. ^ a b c d Haviva Pedaya (N.D.). Ya‘akov Yosef of Polnoye, yivoencyclopedia.org
  3. ^ Sherwin, Byron L. "Fear of God." 20th Century Jewish Religious Thought: Original Essays on Critical Concepts, Movements, and Beliefs. Arthur Allen Cohen, Paul Mendes-Flohr eds. Jewish Publication Society. 2009. Page 252.
  4. ^ Bloch, Joshua. "A Legendary Edition of the" Toledot Yaakob Yosef" by Jacob Joseph ha-Kohen of Polonnoye." The Jewish Quarterly Review 31, no. 3 (1941): 245-257.
  5. ^ Rosman, Moshe, and Murray Jay Rosman. Founder of Hasidism: A Quest for the Historical Ba'al Shem Tov. University of California Press. 1996. Page 138.