Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717–March 11, 1787) was a rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement. He was known after his hometown, Leżajsk () near Rzeszów in Poland. He was part of the inner "Chevraya Kadisha" (Holy Society) school of the Maggid Rebbe Dov Ber of Mezeritch (second leader of the Hasidic movement), who became the decentralised, third generation leadership after the passing of Rebbe Dov Ber in 1772. Their dissemination to new areas of Eastern Europe led the movement's rapid revivalist expansion. Rebbi Elimelech authored the classic work Noam Elimelech. It developed the Hasidic theory of the Tzaddik into the full doctrine of "Practical/Popular Tzaddikism". This shaped the social role of mystical leadership, characteristic of the "Mainstream Hasidic" path. He was the founder of Hasidism in Poland-Galicia, and numerous leaders and dynasties emerged from his disciples in the early 19th century, including the Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Koznitz and Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, one of the three "Fathers of Polish Hasidism". Because of this, Rebbi Elimelech is venerated by the "Mainstream" path in Hasidism, predominant especially in Poland, who descend from his influence. Biography Rebbe Elimelech was born in Galicia (Central Europe), which was located in the Kingdom of Poland that was part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He married Sprinza (Esperanza), daughter of Rabbi Aharon Rokach Margolioth and niece of Rabbi Eleazar Rokach in Szeniawa. She bore him five children: Elazar, Eliezer Lipa, Yaakov, Mirish and Esther Etel. Sprinza died prematurely. After her death Elimelech married Gittel, daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Margolioth. He died in Leżajsk on the 21st of Adar. He was known as a Tzadik who devoted his life to studying and teaching the Torah, as well as encouraging people to draw closer in return to God. The brothers Rabbi Elimelech and Reb Zushya Rebbe Elimelech was a prominent student of the Maggid of Mezeritch, and was brought under his tutelage by his brother the famous Rebbe Reb Meshulam Zushya of Anipoli. Both brothers are central figures in Hasidic tradition and Reb Zushya is especially beloved for his sincerity and fervour. The two offered a contrast in the model of the Hasidic Rebbe, with Elimelech the ascetic scholar, and Zushya giving the impression of the charismatic "saintly simpleton", although he too was well versed in Hasidic philosophy. Of all the students in the Maggid's "Holy Society" it is told that