Jacob Joseph of Polonne


Rabbi Jacob Joseph of Polonne, or Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Pollonye, was one of the first and most known of the disciples of the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov.

Biography

Yaakov Yosef had been a fervent adherent to the school of Lurianic Kabbalah. He was already an accomplished scholar when he attached himself to the Besht, and his becoming a disciple engendered much controversy, and indeed some persecution. At that time, he was the rabbi of the city of Shargorod for several years, and he was expelled from his position on a Friday afternoon in 1748. In several of his responsa, which he wrote in Rashkov, where he took up residence after his banishment from Sharogrod, he reveals the suffering which he had undergone. Later, he was appointed rabbi in Nemirov, a center of Hasidism, where he practiced daily fasting for five years, until the Besht came upon him.
His book, Toldos Yaacov Yosef,, was the first chassidic work ever published. In it repeats the phrase, "I have heard from my teacher", 249 times. He is one of the foremost sources for teachings from the Baal Shem Tov. Reb Yaacov Yosef was also somewhat known for his abrupt temperament, yet his teachings on the Zaddik, the saint-mystic and holy leader, provide an example of attainment of the highest degree of spiritual solitude, while also exemplifying the piety of a respected leader at the center of the community.

Family

Rabbi Jacob Joseph's son was Rabbi Samson of Raszkow.

Teachings

Rabbi Jacob Joseph addresses the question regarding the dual requirement in Judaism to both love and fear God. Rabbi Jacob Joseph resolves this matter by asserting that when one reaches a high level of inwardness, both fear and love of God coalesce into one, becoming indistinguishable from one another, eliminating the need to give priority to one over the other.

Works

Rabbi Jacob Josef authored four books:
The titles of these four works are all biblical allusions to Rabbi Jacob Joseph's name.