Munkacs (Hasidic Dynasty) - Roots

Roots

The dynasty traces its roots to Grand Rebbe Zvi Elimelech Spira (1783–1841), rabbi of Munkacs, and later of Dynów in Galicia. Himself an adherent of the Polish Hasidic leader Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin (the Chozeh of Lublin) and of his uncle, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, author of Noam Elimelech, Rabbi Spira was instrumental in bringing Hasidic Judaism to Hungary. He authored works such as Agra D'kala and Chidushei Mahartza, and is commonly called by the title of his most famous work B'nei Yissaschar ("Children of Issachar", named for the biblical Issachar, son of Jacob, because he was told by Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin that he a direct descendant of the tribe of Issachar). His descendants became leaders of the communities of Dynów, Poland (called Dinov in Yiddish), Munkacs, Hungary (now Mukachevo, Ukraine) (called Munkatch in Yiddish) and Błażowa, Poland (called Bluzhev in Yiddish). He was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Eluzer Spira of Lanczut, Poland, who was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Shlomo Spira of Munkacs, author of Shem Sh'lomo. He in turn was succeeded by his son Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Spira of Munkacs, author of Darkei T'shuvah.