Yahrzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Eliezer Horowitz of Dzikov

Rabbi Eliezer Horowitz of Dzikov

Yahrzeit - 3 Cheshvan

Resting place - Tarnobrzeg, Poland

In 5620 (October 31, 1859), the soul of Rabbi Eliezer Horowitz of Dzikov, a disciple and follower of his father, Rabbi Naftali Zvi of Ropshitz, who became a mentor to thousands of Chassidim in the first quarter of the 19th century, departed this world.

Among the sages who had a notable influence on Rabbi Eliezer were such well-known figures as Rabbi Yissachar Ber of Radoshitz and Rabbi Zvi Hirsch of Rimanov.

He spent 39 years of his life in the town of Dzikov, leading the Chassidic "court" he founded there. However, toward the end of his life, Rabbi Eliezer chose a path of seclusion and solitary contemplation, which greatly saddened his Chassidim.

The first Rebbe of the Dzikov dynasty, Rabbi Eliezer Horowitz, rabbi of Dzikov (Tarnobrzeg; 1790-1861), was the third son of the renowned Rebbe Naftali of Ropshitz. He was a close disciple of his father and of the "Saba" of Radoshitz, Arye D'vei Ilai, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch of Zhidichov, and Rabbi Zvi Hirsch of Rimanov. In his youth he frequently visited the courts of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Maggid of Kozhnitz.

He served as Rebbe to thousands of followers and had a reputation as a continuer of his father's Chassidic legacy. The tzadikim of his generation praised him abundantly. Rabbi Moshe of Radomyshl, a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, testified regarding Rabbi Eliezer's path: "This is the path adopted by Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk."

Rebbe Meir of Peremyshlan testified: "Whenever Meir arrives in Heaven, he finds that Rabbi Eliezer is already there."

He had close ties with the Divrei Chaim, the Rebbe of Tzanz, and their descendants intermarried. This book was bequeathed to his nephew and son-in-law, Rabbi Chanina Horowitz, rabbi of Ulanov (1822-1881; son of Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz of Melitz and grandson of Rabbi Naftali Horowitz of Ropshitz), who was the father-in-law of Rebbe Zvi Hirsch Shapiro, rabbi of Munkacs, author of Darkei Teshuva, and of Rabbi Mordechai David Teitelbaum, rabbi of Stitchin.

On the title page of the book "Yorei Chataim" (Lvov, 1837), there is a handwritten signature: "Eliezer" - the signature of the first Dzikover Rebbe, Rabbi Eliezer Horowitz, son of Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz. On the title page of the Midrash Shocher Tov - Midrash Mishlei (bound at the beginning of this volume) is the stamp of his daughter's son-in-law, Rabbi "Mordechai David Teitelbaum, Rabbi of Stitchin."

This book was passed down through the generations in the family of Rebbe Eliezer of Dzikov through his grandson Rebbe Mordechai David of Stitchin. According to family tradition, the signature "Eliezer" is the signature of Rebbe Eliezer of Dzikov. Attached to the book is a handwritten note from Rebbe Alter Eliezer Kahana of Spinka-Zidichov (1937-2009), confirming that this is indeed the signature of his ancestor Rebbe Eliezer of Dzikov. Likewise, he writes that this volume once bore the signature-stamp of his ancestor Rabbi Chanina Horowitz of Ulanov (son-in-law of Rebbe Eliezer of Dzikov and father-in-law of Rebbe Mordechai David Teitelbaum, rabbi of Stitchin).

May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!