14 Iyar · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt
Rabbi Akiva Ginzburg of Frankfurt and Segulot
Yahrzeit - 14 Iyar
Burial place - Frankfurt
Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt was born in 1530 to Yaakov ben Akiva of Prague (Guggenheim) and his wife Maidgen.
Rabbi Akiva Frankfurter was one of the greatest sages of Germany, known for his sermons and admonitions.
Rabbi Akiva Eiger of Pressburg was his descendant.
His contemporary, the Baal Tzemach David, wrote that Rabbi Akiva was asked to establish the Yeshiva "Maale," "and from there the treasury began" for the benefit of the Land of Israel.
Something of his immense greatness can be learned from the fact that the Maharal of Prague praised him, published his own eulogy of him, and testified that he was the greatest of his generation. The Maharal of Prague wrote an obituary for Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt (1598), which attests to the stature of this tzadik.
The great Chatam Sofer always gave charity for the elevation of the soul of Rabbi Akiva Frankfurter in times of trouble and hardship - and to this day the descendants of the Chatam Sofer family continue this practice ("The Threefold Cord," p. 20).
The Chatam Sofer's Segula for 14 Iyar in Honor of Rabbi Akiva Frankfurter
One should light a candle for Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt and give tzedakah for the elevation of his soul - this helps one avoid troubles.
Rav Amruzi's Segula
Rabbi Adir Amruzi relates in the name of his teacher, Rav Meir Mazuz of the "Kisei Rachamim" Yeshiva, that if someone has lost something, or is suffering from memory loss (forgetting words), one should light a candle and give tzedakah in honor of the tzadik Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt.
May the merit of this tzadik protect Am Yisrael!