Rav Avrohom Yissocher Ber HaKohen Rabinowitz of Radomsk zt"l
הרב אברהם יששכר בער בן שלמה רבינוביץ זצ"ל
Elul 13 , 5652
Rav Avrohom Yissocher Ber HaKohen Rabinowitz of Radomsk zt"l
Author of Chessed L'Avrohom.
Rav Avrohom Yissachar Dov was born in the year תר"ג (1843) in Radomsk to the founder of the Radomsk Dynasty, Rav Sholomo HaKohen Rabinowitz, who authored Tiferes Shlomo. He was named Avrohom after Rav Avrohom Dov Avritsher, author of Bas Ayin. Chassidim present at the bris testified that the rebbe, the Tiferes Shlomo, gazed into his baby son’s face and smiled with satisfaction over having brought down such a holy soul into this world.
At age 23 in the year תרכ"ו, he succeeded his father as rebbe of Radomsk, thus becoming head of the most important dynasties in Poland. Despite his youth, his brothers accepted his authority, and thousands flocked to him.
He was a great Torah scholar and a disciple of Rav Yisroel Yitzchok, Av Beis Din of Melava.
He was known for his great ahavas Yisroel and his charitable nature.
Rav Chaim Elazar Shapira of Munkacs met him in publicized a heartfelt eulogy for him Zichron Tzadikim.
His divrei Torah were published in two volumes named: Chessed L’Avrohom (on the Torah) and Moadim.
His sons were: Rav Yechezkel, who became his successor in Radomsk, author of Knesses Yechezkel; Rav Noson Nachum of Krimolov; Rav Yaakov Yosef of Kalobotzek, author of Emes L'Yaakov, Rav Moshe Elimelech Rabinowitz, and Rav Shlomo of Elkush.
His sons-in-law were: Rav Menachem Mendel Alter of Fabyanitz, Rav Avrohom Kalisch of Amshinov, and Rav Mordechai Menachem Kalisch of Otvozcek.
He passed away on the 13th of Elul, תרנ"ב (1892) at age 49 and was laid to rest beside his father in Radomsk.
Divrei Torah of Rav Avrohom Yissocher Ber HaKohen Rabinowitz of Radomsk zt"l
love your neighbor as yourself’ – this is a fundamental principle of the torah
The primary focus of your tefillah should be on behalf of Bnei Yisroel - to uplift them, to raise their heads, and to draw down shefah (an abundance of blessings and goodness) down to them. If a person refrains from uttering such a prayer, he is called a sinner as it says, “Heaven forbid, that I sin to Hashem by ceasing to pray on your behalf.” גַּ֣ם אָנֹכִ֗י חָלִ֚ילָה לִּי֙ מֵחֲטֹ֣א לַֽה מֵחֲדֹ֖ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל בַּעַדְכֶ֑ם (Shmuel 1 12:23) (Chessed L’Avrohom, Ki Sisa)
One of my favorite teachings:
Rabbi Akiva said, “Love your neighbor as yourself… this a great kelal - a primary precept of the Torah.” Rav Avrohom of Radomsk explained that this is a great precept and kelal in limud HaTorah. When we study Torah, it can have two effects: For some people, the more they learn, the haughtier they become. They swell with pride over their accomplishments and disdain those who know less, viewing them as lowly ignoramuses. Then, there are those who, the more they study Torah, the humbler they become, the more they realize how little they know and how much they can learn from others. It is this second form of Torah study that is tempered by the mitzvah of loving others like yourself. If your Torah study leads to humility and love of your fellow Jews, you will find that you can learn more from them and grow. In that sense, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is a great kelal - a primary precept of the Torah i.e., of learning and studying the Torah. (Chessed L’Avrohom Lag BaOmer).