<<Kalonymus Kalman Epstein.>> Ma’or VaShemesh.

Enormously popular, the Ma’or VaShemesh is cited in a great many other works down to this day. In addition to its Chassidic content, the treatise is renowned for its profound psychological and sociological insights. The author, R. Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein (1754-1823, the “Ma’or VaShemesh”) was one of the most revered and influential of Chassidic leaders. He was a disciple of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, the Chozeh of Lublin, R. Yisrael of Koznitz, R Mendel of Rimanov, R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. Originally from “Ir Chadash” (Neustadt), in 1785 he established a Shtiebel in Cracow, in the old synagogue of R. Nathan Nata Shapiro (author of Megaleh Amukoth).