Joseph Meir Weiss (March 15, 1838 – May 26, 1909,[1] Hebrew: יוסף מאיר ווייס), was a Hungarian rabbi and founder of the Spinka Hasidic dynasty.
[1] Weiss then studied with Rabbi Shmuel Smelke Klein of Hust (Huszt), Hungary (now Khust, Ukraine), author of Tzeror HaChaim.
"[1] Weiss was also influenced by Rabbis Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, Sholom Rokeach of Belz,[1] and Menachem Mendel Hager, the first Rebbe of Vizhnitz.
[6] Following the death of his mentor, the Rebbe of Zidichov, in June 1873, Weiss established his own Hasidic sect in his third wife's hometown of Spinka.
[4] He prayed during festivals with the words from Musaf Amidah: Bring together our scattered ones from among the nations and gather our dispersed from the uttermost parts of the earth.
[4] Other offshoots were established by descendants of Yosef Meir in Williamsburg, Boro Park, Flatbush, Queens, Kiryas Joel, London, Antwerp, and Bnei Brak.