Elimelech Of Lizhensk

Elimelech Of Lizhensk (born 1717—died 1787, Lizhensk, Galicia) was a Jewish teacher and author, one of the founders of Ḥasidism (a Jewish pietistic movement) in Galicia.

Elimelech was a disciple of Ṭov Baer, one of the early Ḥasidic leaders, and after Baer’s death he settled in Lizhensk, which subsequently became an important Ḥasidic centre. Elimelech emphasized the importance of the leader (zaddik, meaning “righteous one”), who, he believed, is mediator between God and the people and possesses authority not only in the spiritual sphere but in all areas of life. Although the zaddik belongs to a higher world, he descends to the level of the community to redeem it, and his capacity to sin is a necessary part of his mission of transforming evil into good. Elimelech’s ideas are set forth in his treatise Noʾam Elimelekh, which was published after his death by his son Eleazar.