At Age 18 He Already Mastered the Books of Kabbalah and the Arizal • For the

Today, the 9th of Adar, marks the Hillula (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Klein. Presented here are highlights of his life, courtesy of the 'Hitchadshus' editorial staff.

Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke was born in the year 5565 (1805) and was named after his mother's uncle, Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg. When he was very young, his mother guarded him so that he would not see anything impure or a non-Jew. Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke was orphaned of his mother when he was a small child.

His genius was evident from his youth; within a month of beginning to learn the letters, he already knew how to read. At the age of seven, he composed Chiddushim (original Torah insights), and when he met Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Binyamin, the 'Ksav Sofer' (son of the Chasam Sofer), he repeated these insights he had innovated in his early childhood. The Ksav Sofer praised them, saying that this was the "truth of Torah." By the age of Bar Mitzvah, he knew the tractates of Eruvin, Yevamos, and Niddah by heart. At age 16, he knew the Responsa of the 'Noda BiYehuda' by heart. By age 18, he had already mastered the book 'Etz Chaim' by the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria).

Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke was connected to the sublime Tzaddikim (righteous men) from the village of Ushvar, students of Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Kaliv, known as the 'Ushvar Group.' He received most of his Torah wisdom from Rabbi Shalom 'Charif' Ullman, a student of Rabbi Pinchas, the author of the 'HaHafla'ah' and the Rosh Yeshiva (head of the academy) of Lackenbach, whom he considered his primary teacher. He was also in contact with the Chasam Sofer, his son the Ksav Sofer, and the 'Divrei Chaim' of Sanz, who remarked about him that he knew the book 'Pri Etz Chaim' by heart, as well as other Tzaddikim of his generation. Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke served in the rabbinate in the towns of Balkany, Chust, and Selish. In each of the towns where he served, he opened a Yeshiva for young men, which numbered several hundred precious students. Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke cared for every student with great love and affection.

He was known in his generation as a sublime Tzaddik (righteous man) possessing Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration) and a worker of salvations. Many turned to him and were helped. He attributed the power of his blessings to the merit of the holy Torah, which he meditated upon day and night. From his teachings, the book 'Tzror HaChaim' remains, containing insights on the topics of the Shas (Talmud).

Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke passed away on Tuesday, the 9th of Adar II, 5635 (1875), and his resting place is in the town of Selish, currently called Vynohradiv, in the Zakarpattia region of Ukraine.