Rabbi Avraham ben Yechiel Michel of Danzig

Rabbi Avraham ben Yechiel Michel of Danzig, author of "Chayei Adam" חיי אדם and "Chochmat Adam" חכמת אדם Yahrzeit - 20 Elul Burial Place - Vilnius, Lithuania   He was often simply called "Chayei Adam". He lived in 1748–1820, studied under the Noda BiYehuda in Prague, then lived in Vilna; his books became the foundation of practical halacha for the ordinary Jew. He did not want to become a rabbi for the sake of honor. For a long time he earned his living through trade and was in no hurry to accept a rabbinic position. Only after suffering a severe financial loss did he agree to become a dayan in Vilna. This shows his purity: Torah is not a means to glory. His famous book for the ordinary Jew - "Chayei Adam" was written so that every Jew could know for himself the daily halacha of prayers, Shabbat, and the festivals. In various cities, societies were even formed to study "Chayei Adam." The great Rav Chaim Volozhin gave his approval to this work, even though he was usually cautious regarding concise compilations of halacha. This shows how precise and powerful the book was. Tefila Zaka. Rabbi Avraham Danzig wrote the famous prayer "Tefila Zaka", which many recite before Yom Kippur. It awakens teshuva, forgiveness, purity of heart, and acceptance of the holiness of the day, preparing the soul for atonement. Here is an excerpt from it, which is considered the heart of "Tefila Zaka." As cited in Mussar literature, this particular part was especially emphasized by the Chofetz Chaim - Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, so that a person would enter Yom Kippur without any grudge against his fellow.

"Hareini mochel le-chol mi she-hichis ve-hiknit oti, o she-chata ke-negdi, bein be-gufi, bein be-mamoni, bein bi-chvodi, bein be-chol asher li, bein be-ones, bein be-ratzon, bein bi-shogeg, bein be-mezid, bein be-dibur, bein be-ma'aseh, be-gilgul zeh o be-gilgul acher, le-chol bar Yisrael. Ve-lo yei'anesh shum adam bi-sibati".

(I hereby forgive anyone who has angered or vexed me, or sinned against me — whether against my body, my property, my honor, or anything belonging to me; whether he did so under duress or willingly, by accident or intentionally, by word or by deed, in this incarnation or in another. I forgive every one of the people of Israel, and let no one be punished on my account).

Segula at the Grave of the Tzadik, or on his Yahrzeit by a candle lit in his memory, before an important decision, to say: "Bizchut Rabbi Avraham ben Yechiel Michel Danzig, she-elech be-derech ha-Torah ve-ha-halacha" - (In the merit of Rabbi Avraham ben Yechiel Michel Danzig, may I walk in the path of Torah and halacha).     May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael!