Rav Avrohom Chaim Schorr zt"l
הרב אברהם חיים בן נפתלי צבי הירש שור זצ"ל
Teves 9 , 5392 / Teves 19 , 5392
Rav Avrohom Chaim Schorr zt"l
The Toras Chaim was a descendant of Rav Yosef of Orleans author of Bechor Schor (tradition has it that the name Schor is derived from their having descended from Shevet Yosef who was called Bechor Schor) who was among the disciples of Rabbeinu Tam and one of the Baalei Tosfos. The Toras Chaim was the son-in-law of Rav Sholom Shachna of Lublin (who was himself the father in law and rebbe of the Rema).
He served as Rav Av Beis Din in Satinov and Belz and his descendant and grandson Rav Ephraim Zalman Margolios writes that he also served as Av Beis Din Kremenitz. Even though he was a contemporary of such giants as Rav Yoel Sirkis, the Bach and his mechutan Rav Binyanim Aharon of Salnik, he was considered among the gaonim and gedolim of the generation and well renowned as a mekubal and master of miracles as well.
Although best known for his sefer Toras Chaim (Chiddushim on 9 masechtos), Rav Avraham Chaim had also coauthored the sefer Tzon Kodashim on Zevachim, Menachos, Temurah and Bechoros together with Rav Mordechai, Rav of Berzan. This sefer is a basic work for learning Kodashim. The Chofetz Chaim printed it anew in his Asifas Zekeinim on Maseches Zevachim.
He left behind a son, Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Cracow, who was the son-in-law of the Megaleh Amukos. He had two sons-in-law, Rav Asher Zelig Halevi Horowitz and Rav Tzvi Hirsh, Rav in Dubna.
The uncertainty surrounding the date of his Yahrzeit is based on the nusach of his matzeiva, the tombstone says “Inscribe with an iron pen on the stones that the Shamir has broken, in this grave the source of wisdom is interred, the world has gone blind and the holy ark was hidden in the year ShinTzadiBeis שצ"ב in Teves the luchos were broken and they mourn him on the tenth and the ninth, all his generation shall mourn for him until the last generation, Rav Avrohom Chaim son of Rav Naphtali Shor author Toras Chaim on Shas.” The date is written in a poetic form and has been interpreted as either the ninth of Teves or the tenth and ninth (Asiri veTisha) which would be the 19th of Teves. (The poem could mean that he will be mourned on the ninth which would be the day of his yahrzeit and again on the tenth when we are all in mourning since it is a communal fast and we mourn him along with the other troubles.)
The following story has been handed down regarding his passing:
The Gaon author of Toras Chaim passed away on the ninth of Teves in Belz, however before he passed away he commanded as his last will and testament that the chevra kadisha summon before him the heads and gedolim of the town of Belz. When they arrived he ordered them to have him buried in Lwow by the next day. The dignitaries and heads of Belz told him it was not possible, Lwow as a distant way, the tenth of Teves was erev Shabbos and how could they possibly reach Lwow in time before Shabbos? He remained unmoved and undeterred by their protests and insisted that he wished to be buried in the great Beis HaChaim in Lwow among the other great tzadikim and rabbonim that were buried there. “Take a wagon and harness it with oxen,” explained the Toras Chaim, “the way is too narrow for horses, and I am certain that you will reach Lwow before chatzos of mid-day.” He himself wrote a letter to the heads of the community and rabbonim in Lwow that he desired to be buried among the princes of Torah may their memory be a blessing. And so it was that they reached Lwow before chatzos on mid-day and he was so buried as recorded in the annals of the community – pinkas chevra kadisha. (based on Matzeivas Kodesh Siman 20, Rabbanan Kadishi p46)