In honor of the 128th Yom HaHillula of the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Svalyava, a disciple of the great luminaries of his generation, a brief account of his life is presented before you ■ His birth and marriage ■ His rabbinic leadership and his teachers ■ The power to bring about salvations

His Birth

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was born to his father, Rabbi Avraham Weiss, on 22 Adar 5584 (1824), in the town of Munkacs. His father, Rabbi Avraham, was orphaned in childhood and grew up in the home of the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Kaliv, who became his primary teacher. When a son was born to him—about three years after the passing of the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Kaliv—he named the child after his teacher: Yitzchak Eizik.

His Rabbinic Leadership

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik married in the year 5601 (1841), and he was supported at his father-in-law’s table for 17 years. In 5619 (1859) he was appointed as the Rav of the town of Svalyava, where he served in the rabbinate for about 20 years. Over time, a dispute arose against him from some townspeople; they harassed him, caused him suffering, and made his life bitter.

On the advice of his teacher, the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Eichenstein of Ziditchov, he began to seek a rabbinic position elsewhere. After several offers, he chose to become the Av Beis Din of the town of Munkacs, alongside the holy Rebbe, Rabbi Shlomo Shapira of Munkacs, author of the sefer Shem Shlomo, who lived in the town. He remained in this role until the end of his days.

His Teachers — The Great Ones of the Generation

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was a disciple of the great luminaries of his time. In his childhood, he traveled with his father to the holy Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov—the Bnei Yissaschar. After his passing, he became a student of the holy Rabbi Yehudah Tzvi of Razla, son-in-law of the holy Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchov—the Atteres Tzvi. After the passing of that teacher, he became a student of the holy Rabbi Shalom Rokeach of Belz—the Sar Shalom. After the passing of the Sar Shalom of Belz, he received guidance from the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Eichenstein of Ziditchov, and after him he traveled to the holy Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz—the Divrei Chaim.

In addition, he merited to take shelter in the shadow of the holy Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Rimanov, the holy Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, and the holy Rabbi Chaim of Kasov—the Toras Chaim.

His Greatness

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was known as an extraordinary diligent scholar, fluent in the hidden treasures of Torah, and his hand was mighty in the wisdom of Kabbalah as well. Each day he maintained fixed study sessions in Gemara and its commentaries, Rambam, Shulchan Aruch, and even the holy Zohar.

The holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Eichenstein of Ziditchov appointed Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik to write down and organize his Torah teachings, because he recognized his vast knowledge in both the revealed and the hidden dimensions of Torah.

One man suffered a breakdown of the soul and came before the holy Sar Shalom of Belz, asking for a blessing for healing. The Sar Shalom sent him to Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik, saying that Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik had the power to save him.

Among his disciples was the holy Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss of Spinka, author of the sefer Imrei Yosef, the son of his brother Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi.

His Works

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik authored many sefarim across the disciplines of Torah, but most were lost in the terrible Holocaust. Among the works that survived, one may list: Toldos Yitzchak on the Five Books of the Torah; Beis Yitzchak on Maseches Megillah; and Divrei Yitzchak, sermons.

Hashem Fulfills the Years of the Tzaddikim

Exactly upon completing 70 years, Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik departed to the Heavenly Yeshivah on 22 Adar II, 5654 (1894). As it is written that Hashem “fills out” the years of the Tzaddikim precisely, so it was fulfilled in Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik. His resting place today is adjacent to the ohel of the Rebbes of Munkacs in the new cemetery in Munkacs.