Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa (1765-1827) was one of the main leaders of Hasidic Judaism in Poland. After studying Torah at yeshivas in Mattersdorf and Nikolsburg, he was introduced to the world of Hasidism by his father-in-law, and became a chasid (follower) of Rabbi Yisroel Hopsztajn (Magid of Kozhnitz), and then Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin (Chozeh), and the Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowitz (Yid Hakodosh), the Hasidic leaders of the day. After the death of the Yid Hakodosh, most of the chasidim followed Rabbi Simcha Bunim as their rebbe.