For the Yom HaHillula — The Holy Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Weiss of Svalyava

In honor of the 128th Hillula of the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Svalyava, a student of the greatest of his generation, we present to you a brief account of his life story: ■ His birth and marriage ■ His rabbinate and his teachers ■ The power to bring about salvations

His Birth

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac was born to his father, Rabbi Avraham Weiss, on the 22nd of Adar, 5584, in the town of Munkatch. His father, Rabbi Avraham, was orphaned at a young age and raised in the home of the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Kaliv, who became his primary teacher. When his son was born, approximately three years after the passing of the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Kaliv, he named his son after his teacher—Yitzchak Isaac.

His Rabbinate

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac married in the year 5601 and was supported by his father-in-law for 17 years. In 5619, he was appointed as the Rabbi of the town of Svalyava, where he served for about 20 years. During this time, a dispute arose against him from several people in the town; they harassed him, caused him sorrow, and made his life difficult.

Following the advice of his teacher, the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Eichenstein of Zidichov, he began to seek a rabbinical position elsewhere. After several offers, he chose to become the Head of the Rabbinical Court (Ra'avad) of the town of Munkatch, alongside the holy Admor Rabbi Shlomo Shapiro of Munkatch, author of the book *Shem Shlomo*, who lived in the town. He remained in this position until the end of his days.

His Teachers, the Great Ones of the Generation

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac was a student of the greatest luminaries of his generation. 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 Yehuda Tzvi of Razla, the son-in-law of the holy Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Zidichov—the *Ateres Tzvi*. After the passing of this 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 teachings from the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Eichenstein of Zidichov, and afterward, he traveled to the holy Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz—the *Divrei Chaim*.

In addition to this, he merited to bask in the shadow of the holy Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Rimanov, the holy Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, and the holy Rabbi Chaim of Kosov—the *Torat Chaim*.

His Greatness

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac was known as an exceptional scholar, well-versed in the depths of Torah, and he was also highly proficient in the study of Kabbalah. Every day, he had fixed study sessions in the Gemara and its commentaries, the Rambam, the Shulchan Aruch, and even the holy Zohar.

The holy Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Eichenstein of Zidichov appointed Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac to write and arrange his Torah teachings, because he saw his vast knowledge in both the revealed and the hidden aspects of Torah.

A certain man who was suffering mentally came before the holy *Sar Shalom* of Belz and asked him for a blessing for healing. The *Sar Shalom* sent him to Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac, saying that Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac had the power to save him.

His student was the holy Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss of Spinka, author of the book *Imrei Yosef*, who was the son of his nephew, Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi.

His Works

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac authored many books on various subjects of Torah, but most of them were lost in the terrible Holocaust. Among his books that survived are: *Toldot Yitzchak* on the Five Books of Torah, *Beit Yitzchak* on Tractate Megillah, and *Divrei Yitzchak*—sermons.

Hashem completes the years of the tzaddikim

On the day Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac turned exactly 70 years old, he departed to the Heavenly Yeshiva on the 22nd of Adar II, 5654. Just as it is written that Hashem completes the years of the *tzaddikim* precisely, so it was fulfilled in the life of Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac. His gravesite is located today adjacent to the Ohel of the Admorim of Munkatch in the new cemetery in Munkatch.