Rare Original Engraving of the Kozhnitzer Maggid. Poland, Mid-19th Century.
“Portrait of the face of the miracle-worker of our generation, a holy flame and man of G-d, the saintly Moreinu Harav Yisrael son of the late Moreinu Harav Shabsai, Maggid of Kozhnitz, with his son and successor Moreinu Harav Moshe zt”l.”
In this rare picture, the Kozhnitzer Maggid is seen sitting at his table with tallis and tefillin, one hand resting on an open sefer and the other on the head of a young chassid who approached to request his blessing. Beside him sits his son and successor Harav Moshe Elyakim, and two bearded men in Chassidic garb (perhaps his grandchildren or gabbaim) flank him on the side.
The Kozhnitzer Maggid Harav Yisrael Hopstein (1737–1814) was one of the early Chassidic leaders in Poland who left his mark on history. One of the youngest disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, he later drew wisdom and Chassidus from Harav Elimelech of Lizhensk and Harav Shmelke of Nikolsburg.
Thousands of Jews streamed to the town of Kozhnitz to seek the blessing and wise counsel of the Kozhnitzer Maggid who was renowned for his genius in both the Revealed and Hidden Torah and his capacity to generate miracles. Among his illustrious disciples were the Chiddushei Harim of Gur, Harav Simcha Bunim of Peschischa, the Yid Hakadosh of Peschischa, the Meor Vashemesh, Harav Naftoli of Ropschitz, the Radoshitzer Rebbe and the Sar Shalom of Belz, to name just a few.
His son and successorHarav Moshe Elyakim Bria Hopstein (d. 1828) was exceedingly humble and concealed his lofty character during his father’s lifetime. After the passing of the Kozhnitzer Maggid, the Chozeh of Lublin commanded him to succeed his father as Rebbe and perpetuate his father’s noble legacy.
Picture size: 31x23 cm. In addition to an inscription written in lashon hakodesh, a Polish inscription also appears at the margin of the engraving. Professional light repair. Good condition.
A similar picture with many copies was published in 1912 with several variances, the most notable among them being the absence of Harav Moshe Elyakim’s features. The engraving presented here is both original and unique.
