The early Hasidic masters were known for many years as much for the fantastical stories told about them as for the Torah they actually taught. The folk tales paint Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev, author of the Kedushat Levi, as a tireless champion of his people before God. In this class we will explore some of these stories, alongside selections from his book, and see if we can find connections between his teachings and his reputation. Among the themes we will explore are Levi Yithak’s understanding of the nature of prayer, the role of the tzaddik or spiritual leader, and the nature of miracles and their relationship to the natural world. 

Recommend reading: Defender of the Faithful: The Life and Thought of Rabbi Levi Yitshak of Berdychiv by Rabbi Arthur Green.