Pinhas Sadeh (1929 - 1994, b. Lvov, Poland) emigrated to Eretz Israel in 1934. He studied in Tel Aviv and in the Jezre`el Valley and then moved to Jerusalem where he worked as a night watchman and shepherd.
Sadeh began writing in 1951. He published and translated collections of poetry and novels, and anthologized Chassidic legends. Sadeh received the Bialik Prize.
With no formal education beyond primary school, Sadeh consistently approached the most elementary existential issues in his writing. Referring to his work as "theological," he remarked that his writing was "a moral act." Combining mythological, autobiographical, mystical and metaphysical elements, there were those who saw him as teacher and prophet. His style is spare, and emphasizes his desire to remove all linguistic excess. His novel, Life As a Parable, is possibly autobiographical, possibly confessional, and is widely acknowledged as his classic work which spawned a cult following among young adults.