Reb Yisroel Hofshtein, the Kozhnitzer Maggid, was born in Poland around the year 5497 (1737). His father Reb Shabsi lived in Apta, and was a simple bookbinder who did not come from a distinguished family. Reb Yisroel was a talmid of the Mezritcher Maggid and Reb Elimelech of Lizensk. He settled in Kozhnitz and became a maggid, giving sermons and inspiring the people to teshuva, in the path of Chassidus. He was known for his greatness in the capacity of Rebbe. He passed away on Erev Sukkos 5575 (1814). He wrote many seforim, including Avodas Yisroel.
The Rebbe Rashab related:
On the last Rosh Chodesh before his passing, during the meal the Kozhnitzer Maggid began to speak about the passing of tzadikim and then began to scream, “Why is Moshiach taking so long to come? The tzadik of Berditchev promised to storm up all the holy neshamos in Gan Eden to bring Moshiach, but the Berditchever is immersing in the rivers there, having pleasure from the shine of the Shechina and forgot his promise. However when I come to the World of Truth, I will not forget! Listen Yidden, I will not forget! I am announcing and proclaiming that I will not enter Gan Eden until Moshiach comes!”
Shortly before his passing the Maggid told his son, “I don’t have a body anymore.” His son held him by the hand and said, “Father, I feel that you do have a body!” To this the Maggid answered, “That is because you are touching me with your body, therefore you feel it a body...”
(תורת שלום ע' 211)
The Kozhnitzer Maggid was a great admirer of the Alter Rebbe and his manner of teaching Chassidus. He himself would learn a perek of Tanya every day while wearing Rabeinu Tam’s Tefilin. When asked once why he does this, he responded, “You should know that the author can say Torah for Moshiach. The Tanya is a sefer of Gan Eden.”
(נהרי אש ע' ריג)
