R. Zusha of Anipoli

R. Meshulam Zusil of Anipoli (Annopil) — universally known as Reb Zusha (1718-1800) — was, with his younger brother R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, one of the foundational disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch and one of the most beloved figures of early Hasidism. The brothers Zusha and Elimelech spent years as wandering ascetics, deliberately enduring poverty and humiliation; the Hasidic literature is full of their joint travel stories.

Zusha wrote almost nothing — his Menorat Zahav was compiled from his sayings by students after his death — but his oral teaching shaped a generation: his disciples included R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (Baal HaTanya) in his Mezeritch period, R. Mordechai of Neshchiz, and the founders of multiple subsequent courts. His famous question — 'In the world to come they will not ask me, Why were you not Moses? They will ask me, Why were you not Zusha?' — is one of the most-quoted Hasidic teachings.