Szlachta historians and chroniclers. These involve a presumed descent from the ancient Iranian tribe known as Sarmatians, who in the Second century AD occupied land that is today's Ukraine, or from Japheth, one of Noah's sons - by contrast, the peasantry were said to be the offspring of another son of Noah, Ham — and hence subject to bondage under the Curse of Ham—and the Jews as the offspring of Shem). Other fanciful theories included its foundation by Julius Caesar, Alexander the Greator regional leaders who had not mixed their bloodlines with those of 'slaves, prisoners or aliens'. Another theory describes
Yoel Baal Shem Rosh yeshiva for some 50 years. Rabbi Yoel Baal Shem (I) was the teacher of Rabbi Adam Baal Shem of Ropczyce () who instructed Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov in Kabbalah. Stories and teachings of Rabbi Yoel Baal Shem (I) can be found in various kabbalistic "sefarim", especially in two "sefarim", "Mifalos Elokim" and "Toldos Adam" which earned the imprimatur of his grandson, Rabbi Yoel Baal Shem (II), the son of Uri. Rabbi Yeshaya Heilprin, son of Yoel Helprin (II), was also a kabbalist and expert in kabbalistic amulets. Yoel Baal Shem Yoel Baal Shem () was an Orthodox Jewish