Shmelke of Nikolsburg

Samuel Horowitz Shmelke of Mikulov (* 1726 Czortkow, † April 28, 1778 in Mikulov ) was a Hasidic rabbi and Kabbalist.

Life

He was the older brother of Pinchas Horowitz, and in her youth, both belonged to the circle of students of Rabbi Dov Baer of Mezritch. Samuel officiated as rabbi first in Polish and Galician municipalities: 1754 he was called to Ryczwal 1766 according Sieniawa. From 1773 until his death he served in the Moravian town of Mikulov, first as Chairman of the Jewish Court and later as Rabbi of Moravia.

The latter appointment led among the community members to violent opposition, but Empress Maria Theresa confirmed him because of his Hasidic way of life and his knowledge of Orthodox Judaism in his office, despite the lack of German language skills and, although he did not know the laws of the land.

Samuel Horowitz is considered a pioneer of Hasidism. Although in Hasidic legends about him numerous miracle stories have been handed down, he did not take over the complete doctrine of Hasidism in the sense of its founder Baal Shem Tov. He surrounded himself with a circle of true young students and taught them the principles of Hasidism, but lived as ascetics at home and took care of a detached association with humans. From his teachings and writings speaks a protest against the superficial and frivolous lifestyle that was common in the majority of the then living Hasidim.

Works (selection)

Among his works are Diwre Shmu'el ( " words of Samuel " ), with homiletic and kabbalistic commentaries, as well as amendments to the Talmud tractate Bava batra, and Nesir ha - Shem ( " The Nazarite of God " ), with amendments to the Shulchan Aruch. Over a former controversy about Hasidism asked Samuel Horowitz, the rabbi of Brody, to oppose the ban, which had Gaon of Vilna imposed on Hasidism, and denied this accusation, that the followers of Hasidism would disregard the Jewish tradition.