JACOB JOSEPH OF POLONNOYE

died c. 1782 in full Jacob Joseph Ben Tzevi Ha-kohen Katz Of Polonnoye rabbi and preacher, the first theoretician and literary propagandist of Jewish Hasidism. Jacob Joseph was a rabbi in the large Jewish community at Shargorod, in Podolia; after he came under the influence of the Ba'al Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, he was expelled (c. 1748) from Shargorod. He was subsequently rabbi of Rashkov, Nemirov, and ultimately Polonnoye, where he remained until his death. As a writer, he contributed significantly to the spread of Hasidism. His first and main work was the controversial Toldot Ya'aqov Yosef (1780; History of Jacob Joseph), which not only related the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov but also criticized traditional Jewish leadership and values. The work thus provoked anti-Hasidic sentiment and was burned by some opponents of the movement. Other works include homilies and commentary on books of the Bible, including Ben Porat Yosef (1781; Joseph Is a Fruitful Vine) on Genesis; Zefenat Pa'ne'ah (1782) on Exodus; and Ketonet Passim (Coat of Many Colours) on Leviticus and Numbers.