Rabbi Yitzchak Dukla of Pressburg

Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Segal Landau, known as Yitzchak Dukla, was one of the greatest figures of his generation, serving as rabbi of Dukla, Zolkiew, and Pressburg, and head of a yeshiva. He is the author of the book "Imrei Rebarbi." Yahrzeit - 11 Kislev Resting place - Bratislava, Slovakia He was born the fourth son of Rabbi Yekutiel Zalman, rabbi of Drohobych. He married Yehudit, daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Segal Itanga, rabbi of Lviv. In a second marriage, he married Devorah, daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Hillman, rabbi of Metz, and widow of Rabbi Yitzchak Ashkenazi. At the age of 17, he took up the position of rabbi of Dukla, from which he came to be called "Rav Yitzchak Dukla." He then moved to serve as rabbi of Zolkiew, and afterward as rabbi of Pressburg. During his time in Pressburg, he fell ill and received the name "Yaakov." Many rabbis of his generation sent him their questions on halachic matters. In every place where he served as rabbi, he taught Torah. He had many students, including some of the greatest of the generation that followed him. He supported Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz when the latter was suspected of desecrating Shabbat. He had initially signed a boycott against the writers of amulets on behalf of Shabtai Tzvi, but when he learned that this boycott was directed against Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz, he immediately sent him a letter of apology. Rabbi Mordechai, son of Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz, also came to Rav Yitzchak's aid when he was arrested by the Pressburg community, and as rabbi of the city ordered his release. When Rabbi Yaakov Emden heard of this, he spoke out against Rabbi Yitzchak Dukla, accusing him of also being a member of the Sabbateans.   He passed away on Shabbat, 11 Kislev 5723, and was buried the next day in the Pressburg cemetery.   May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!   (From a trip to the "Chatam Sofer Memorial" in Bratislava)