Works of the Hasidic masters in English

Where can English speakers go to learn directly from the great Hasidic masters? Several types of books exist –

• The actual works of the Hasidic rebbes in Yiddish or Hebrew. These are only accessible for yeshiva students who have spent many years in study. These texts have numerous partial quotes within them, often without clear references. These may come from the Tanakh, Midrash, or kabbalistic works, and it is assumed that the reader is well-versed in either knowing all of these quotes and ideas before one reads the book.
• At the other end of the book are English books for beginners. These are a welcome addition to the Jewish canon. They allow newcomers to learn basic ideas of Jewish mysticism and Chassidus. But they offer only limited quotes and restrict themselves to basic concepts.
• A third category are English academic works made for university students. These aren’t works of Chassidus at all, but rather academic and historical studies of Chassidus.

Each of those categories is fine and have their place, but many of us want something different:

• An in-depth read that allows the original author to present his Chassidus directly to the English speaking reader, no holds barred. No leaving out or glossing over the difficult terrain. However, the translator provides explanatory notes, asides, and introductions. While Hasidic works are full of partial quotes and obscure references, here quotes are written out fully with citations to make it easier for one to look up if interested.

Books like this are what we are recommending here –

The books here were chosen because they are widely appreciated across the religious Jewish world – both Orthodox and non-Orthodox, in the Diaspora and in Israel.

We start with the founder of Hasidic Judaism himself:

Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov 1698-1760

Also known as the Besht (an acronym for Baal Shem Tov) he was the founder of Hasidic Judaism. He lived in Okopy Świętej Trójcy, then part of the Kingdom of Poland, and travelled through Eastern Galicia and West Ukraine. He wrote no books but there are collections of his teachings by his students.

In Praise of Baal Shem Tov (Shivhei Ha-Besht: The Earliest Collection of Legends about the Founder of Hasidism. English. Dan Ben-Amos, Jason Aronson 1976

The Path of the Baal Shem Tov: Early Chasidic Teachings and Customs. English. David Sears, Jason Aronson, 1976

Pillar of Prayer: Guidance in Contemplative Prayer, Sacred Study, and the Spiritual Life, from the Baal Shem Tov and His Circle. English.

Pillar of Prayer is based on Sefer Ba’al Shem Tov , an amazing work in Hebrew only, by Natan Nata Dunner and Shimon Mendel Wodnik, published in Poland, 1938. Menachem Kallus updated, translated and annotated their work work to create Pillar of Prayer. Published by Fons Vitae Press, 372 pages

Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch 1700-1772

He lived in Mezhirichi; this was Poland, and now is part of Ukraine.

Tzava’at Harivash: The Testament of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. Translated and annotated by J. Immanuel Schochet, 1998, Kehot Publication Society. This is an anthology of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings by Dov Ber of Mezeritch.

The Great Maggid: The life and teachings of Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezhirech, Jacob Immanuel Schochet, 1978, 3rd edition 1998, Kehot

Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk 1717-1787

He lived in Galicia, then Kingdom of Poland.

Mipeninei Noam Elimelech, Tal Moshe Zwecker , Targum Press 2008

Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl 1730-1787

He lived in Chernobyl, then part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, now Ukraine.

The Light of the Eyes: Homilies on the Torah [Me’or Einayim] Arthur Green, Stanford Univ Press, 2021

Menahem Nahum of Chernobyl: Upright Practices, The Light of the Eyes (Classics of Western Spirituality) by Arthur Green, 1982

Yisroel Hopstein/Yisrael Haupstein, Maggid of Kozhnitz (1737–1814)

Hasidic leader in Poland during the late 18th and early 19th century. He was a student of both the Magid/Dov Ber of Mezeritch and Elimelech of Lizhensk, and wrote books on Chassidus and Kabbalah.

No full English translations of any of his works currently exists. For some of his work in English see “Four Chassidic Masters”, Abraham J. Twerski, Mesorah Publications, 2008

Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov 1748-1800

He lived in Sudylkiv, Ukraine. The Baal Shem Tov’s grandson, he is author of Degel Machaneh Ephraim, 1810

The Degel: Classic Hasidic Commentary on Bereshith, J. Hershy Worch, Stonehill Publishing, Australia, 2022

Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev, The Berditchiver 1740-1809

He lived in Poland, then Pinsk (at the time in the Russian Empire, now Belarus) and then Berdychiv (Berditchev) then Russian Empire, now Ukraine.

Kedushat Levi: Torah Commentary by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (3 vols.) Eliyahu Munk, 856 pages, Urim Publications, 2009

Kedushas Levi – Parshas Lech Lecha, Joseph Kolakowski

Loving and Beloved: Tales of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev, Simcha Raz, Translated by Dov Peretz Elkins, Maggid Books/Koren Publishers, 2016

Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe 1745 – 1812

He first lived in Liozna, then Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, now in Republic of Belarus. He later settled in Liadi, Imperial Russia, now in Republic of Belarus. He is the author of Likkutei Amarim, better known as The Tanya, 1796.

See our article on Learning the Tanya.

Menachem Mendel of Rimanov (Mendele Rimanover) 1745-1815

Less well known that other Hasidic rebbes, his theology was one of the sources of Haredi Judaism. His teachings are collected in Menachem Zion and other works.

The Torah Discourses of Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, Ktav, 755 pages, 1996

(also titled The Torah Discourses of the Holy Tzaddik Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov)

Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz, the Seer of Lublin 1745-1815

His writings are contained in three books: Divrei Emet, Zot Zikaron, and Zikaron Tov. In a compilation of these works, entitled Torat HaChozeh MiLublin, his commentaries are alphabetically arranged according to topics and according to the weekly Torah portion.

No full English translations of any of his works currently exists. For some of his ideas in English see “Four Chassidic Masters”, Abraham J. Twerski, Mesorah Publications, 2008

Nachman of Breslov 1772-1810

He first lived in Międzybóż, then Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, now Ukraine. In his travels he went to Eretz Israel, then Bratslav, Ukraine, and finally to Uman.

The Chambers of the Palace: Teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, David Y Shulman, Jason Aronson 1993

Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom, Aryeh Kaplan and Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, Breslov Reserach Center, 1984

Likutey Moharan Set: Volumes 1-15m translated by Avraham Greenbaum and Moshe Mykoff, Breslov Research Institute (BRI)

Likutey Moharan Volume 1, Editors Ozer Bergman and Moshe Mykoff, Breslov Research Institute, 303 pages, 1995

Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt 1748-1825

(Do not confuse with Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Cracow, 17th century.)

The Apter Rebbe or Apter Rov, of Opatów. He is author of Oheiv Yisrael, one of the basic Chasidic texts. His daughter, Rachel Ashkenazi, authored several original commentaries on the Torah.

No full English translations of any of his works currently exists. For some of his ideas in English see “Four Chassidic Masters”, Abraham J. Twerski, Mesorah Publications, 2008

Simcha Bunim of Peshischa 1765-1827

“The Quest for Authenticity: The Thought of Reb Simhah Bunim” by Michael Rosen – Pryzsucha Hasidism believed in a service to God that demanded both passion and analytical study, and sought to understand the human being, rather than God himself.

Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Dinov 1783 – 1841

Hasidic Rebbe in Poland known as the the Bnei Yisaschar.

Bnei Yisaschar: The Classic Chassidic Work of Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira, Rav of Dinov and Munkatch: The Holiness of Shabbos And Rosh Chodesh

Menahem Mendel of Kotsk, Kotzker Rebbe 1787-1859

Lived in Kock (Kocsko), Poland.

The Sayings of Menahem Mendel of Kotsk, Simcha Raz (Author), Edward Levin (Translator)

Truth Springs from the Earth: The Teachings of Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Kotsk, by Morris M. Faierstein, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2018

Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica, the Ishbitzer 1801-1854

For some time he lived in Kotzk, then in Izbica, Poland.

Mei Hashiloach: A Hebrew-English Translation of the Hasidic Commentary on the Torah by the Ishbitzer Rebbe, by J. Hershy Worch, 2019, 438 pages

Mei Hashiloach: A Hebrew-English Translation of the Hasidic Commentary on the Torah by the Ishbitzer Rebbe, Mordechai Yosef Leiner, ISBN 10: 1796252328 / ISBN 13: 9781796252323, 2019

Living Waters: The Mei HaShiloach, Betsalel Philip Edwards, Jason Aronson, 2001, 485 pages

Pathways to the Heart, Reuven Boshnack, Kodesh Press, 2020

Yitzchak Eisik Safrin, the Komarno Rebbe 1806-1874

He wrote Heichal HaBrachah, commentary on the Torah; Otzar HaChaim on the commandments; Zohar Chai on the Zohar; and Shulchan HaTahor on Shulchan Aruch.

“You Are What You Hate: A Spiritually Productive Approach to Enemies,” Sarah Yehudit Schneider

Some of his writings are in “Jewish Mystical Autobiographies: Book of Visions and Book of Secrets,” Morris Faierstein, Classics of Western Spirituality, Paulist Press, 1999

“Question & Answer With Rabbi Betsalel Edwards – Komarno & The Internet”

Tzadok ha-Kohen Rabinowitz of Lublin 1823-1900

Originally a follower of R Yosef Leiner of Izbica, the Ishbitzer. His main work is the Pri Tzadik, compiled by his students from his classes. His philosophy was a major influence on Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner.

There is an English work introducing his thought on the weekly parashah, “Rav Tzadok Hakohen on the Parsha. Based on Seder Pri Tzadik.” Translated and adapted by R Yitzchok Schwartz, Mosaic Press, 2014. 266 pages.

Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, the Sfas Emes 1847-1905

He lived in Góra Kalwaria, Poland, known to Jews by the Yiddish name, Ger.

The Sfas Emes: The Life and Teachings of Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib, by Moshe A. Braun, Jason Aronson 1999

Pointing the Way: Spiritual Insights from the Sfas Emes Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, by Moshe A. Braun, Jason Aronson 1997

The Language of Truth: The Torah Commentary of the Sefat, Arthur Green, JPS 1998

Shmuel Bornsztain (Borenstein) 1855 – 1926

The second rebbe of the Sochatchov Hasidic dynasty. He was known as the Shem Mishmuel by the title of his nine-volume work of Torah and Hasidic thought.

Shem Mishmuel, Trans. Rabbi Zvi Belovski. Published by Phillip Feldheim 1998 and Menucha Publishers, 2016

Abraham Isaac Kook 1865-1935

Originally born in Latvia, then Volozhin (Belarus), then Lithuania, he made aliyah to pre-State Israel in 1904.

“Abraham Isaac Kook: The Lights of Penitence, the Moral Principles, Lights of Holiness, Essays, Letters, and Poems,” Editor Ben Zion Bokser, Classics of Western Spirituality

The Essential Writings of Abraham Isaac Kook, Ben Zion Bokser, Ben Yehuda Press, 2006

Orot, Bezalel Naor, Toby Press, 2015 (an updated version of the 1993 book from Jason Aronson)

Orot, Bezalel Naor, Jason Aronson, 1993

Anthologies

Speaking Torah Vol 1, and Vol 2. Spiritual Teachings from around the Maggid’s Table, Arthur Green and Ebn Leader

Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of Hasidic Masters, Elie Wiesel

Somewhere a Master: Hasidic Portraits and Legends, Elie Wiesel

Hasidic Wisdom: Sayings from the Jewish Sages [Pitgamay Hasidim], Simcha Raz (Author), and Dov Peretz Elkins (translator)

A Heart Afire: Stories and Teachings of the Early Hasidic Masters. Zalman Schacter-Shalomi and Netanel Miles-Yepez.

Tales of the Hasidim (The Early Masters / The Later Masters) Translated and edited by Martin Buber

Aryeh Kaplan. The Chasidic Masters and Their Teachings. Moznaim, 1989.

Aryeh Kaplan, The Light Beyond: Adventures in Hassidic Thought. Moznaim, 1981.

___________________________________________

Thanks for reading! Join us on Facebook at Judaism, Torah, and Jewish Holidays, our online home for learning and conversation in an informal, coffeehouse type environment.

While you’re here read about Jewish ethics,  Halakhah, holidays, Kashrut (keeping kosher) , Lifecycle events, Mishnah and Talmud study, philosophy & theology, Tefila (prayer), Torah study, Tanakh (bible) and Zionism.