Rav Yitzchak Charif Eisenberg
A Godol in nigleh and nistar and beloved Rav of Sambur, author of Pnei Yitzchok, who gave up the Rabbonus of Pressburg to Rav Meshulom Igra.
Biography
Early years
Rav Yitzchok Charif Eisenberg zt"l, the Pnei Yitzchok, was the son of Rav Moshe of Dregatchin, the author of Maggid Mishneh on the Mishnas Chassidim. He was known as a Godol in both nigleh and nistar, and many of the tzaddikim of the generation held him in the highest esteem.
Rav of Sambur
When Rav Yitzchok was appointed Rav of Sambur, the non-Jewish ruler of the region came to receive his blessing.
The members of the kehilla respected and admired him for his fatherly love and dedication to all their needs. Despite his lofty level of Torah and kedusha, he was involved in everything that was happening in the city, and in this way he drew the people close to the Torah.
Many kehillos wanted to have Rav Yitzchok as their Rav. Following the petira of Rav Meir Berabi, the kehilla of Pressburg sought to appoint him, as told below.
Seforim and passing
Rav Yitzchok wrote the She'eilos U'Teshuvos Pnei Yitzchok and Ho'Elef Lecha Shlomo on Shas.
He was niftar on the twenty-seventh of Tammuz.
Stories
The Letters from Pressburg
After the petira of Rav Meir Berabi, the kehilla of Pressburg wished to appoint Rav Yitzchok as their Rav. So as not to delay his decision, they sent a K'sav Rabbonus right away, to the home of the Rosh HaKohol of Sambur. When the Rosh HaKohol received the letter, he decided not to show it to Rav Yitzchok, fearing that he would leave the city. When Pressburg received no reply, they sent a second letter, again to the Rosh HaKohol, and again he did not pass it on.
When the Pressburg kehilla realized that Rav Yitzchok was not responding, they wrote to Rav Meshulom Igra. They told him the whole matter: that they had sent Rav Yitzchok two letters, that he had ignored them, and that they were now offering the Rabbonus to Rav Igra.
Rav Meshulom was tempted to accept the prestigious Rabbonus of Pressburg, but when he heard that Rav Yitzchok had declined it, he wanted to discuss the matter with him and hear his opinion. He traveled to Sambur to meet him. On his arrival, Rav Yitzchok arranged a lavish seuda in honor of the guest, and the leaders of the kehilla attended as well.
During the seuda Rav Meshulom asked Rav Yitzchok why he had not accepted the Rabbonus of Pressburg. Rav Yitzchok looked up in amazement and said that he had never received such an offer. The Rosh HaKohol then stood up and confessed that he was the one who had received and hidden the letters, explaining that he did not want Rav Yitzchok to leave the city.
Rav Yitzchok ruled that the Rabbonus rightfully belonged to Rav Meshulom Igra, for he was the one who had received the K'sav Rabbonus.
Seforim
- She'eilos U'Teshuvos Pnei Yitzchok: Responsa of Rav Yitzchok Charif.
- Ho'Elef Lecha Shlomo: His commentary on Shas.
Also on 27 Tammuz
All hilulos on 27 Tammuz ›Historical sources
- Hamodia