Bnei Yissachar by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov: Shabbat and the festivals
Bnei Yissachar (בני יששכר), “The Sons of Issachar,” is one of the most important and oft-quoted classic Hasidic texts. It discusses the mystical aspects of Shabbat and the festivals and is arranged according to the months of the year. Its author is Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov.
Quick facts
| Title | Bnei Yissachar (“The Sons of Issachar”) |
| Author | Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov |
| Composition | Between 1820 and 1840 (according to Sefaria) |
| First printing | Zhovkva, 1845 (according to Sefaria) |
| Organization | By the months of the year |
The title
The author writes that the title is based on the verse “Of the Issacharites, men who knew how to interpret the signs of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33), an allusion to the book’s explanation of the Jewish festivals. According to a tradition passed down in the author’s family, there is another reason: his teacher, the Seer of Lublin (Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz), informed him that he was a descendant of the tribe of Issachar.
Structure
Sefaria’s table of contents includes entries by month (for example Adar, Elul, Iyar) in addition to an introduction.
Frequently asked questions
What is it about?
The mystical aspects of Shabbat and the festivals.
Why is it called Bnei Yissachar?
From I Chronicles 12:33 and, according to a family tradition, because the author descended from the tribe of Issachar.
Sources
- Bnei Yissachar, entry on Sefaria
