6 Tevet · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga of Shinova
Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga - the eldest son of the outstanding Chassidic tzadik Rabbi Chaim of Sanz.
Yahrzeit - 6 Tevet
Resting place - Galicia, Poland
The son of the great Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga was known for his disagreements with him on matters of halacha (Jewish law).
Yechezkel Shraga showed great promise even as a child. The Chozeh of Lublin predicted that he would "light up the world." As he grew up, he became a devoted follower of Rabbi Asher of Ropshitz and a chossid of Rav Tzvi Hirsch of Rimanov, and later of Rav Sholom of Belz and Rav Meir of Premishlan.
After serving as Rav of Rozla, in 1856 he was appointed Rav of Shinova, where he remained until 1867, when he was chosen by the Rav of Stropkov to become the successor of Rav Chaim Yosef Gottlieb, who had passed away that same year.
In the summer of 1869, Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga traveled to Eretz Yisrael, where he remained for 18 months.
In 1881, when he once again became Rav of Shinova, this community entered an era of remarkable spiritual growth.
His miraculous healing abilities, rooted in his piety and vast knowledge of Torah, attracted thousands of devoted chassidim. He earned the reverence of the most prominent Rebbes of his time, becoming, in the words of the Rav of Mukacheve, the "Rebbe of Rebbes." His collected thoughts on the Torah, the festivals, and the Mishnah, along with a selection of responsa accompanied by a biography, were published under the title "Divrei Yechezkel." The work reflects the character of the Shinaver Rebbe, a blend of halacha and Chassidut.
The Mitzvah of the Sukkah
The mitzvah of the sukkah is an especially exalted mitzvah. All other mitzvot you perform with only one part of your body, whereas the mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah engages your entire body. (Divrei Yechezkel)
Charity
"When you take a census of the Israelites according to their enrollment, each shall give to the L-rd a ransom for himself on being enrolled, that no plague may come upon them through being enrolled." (Shemot 30:12)
Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga revealed the meaning of this passuk as follows: "each shall give" - in Hebrew "venatnu" - ונתנו - is a palindrome, a word that reads the same from left to right and from right to left.
Rabbi Yechezkel teaches from this that whatever you give to charity will be returned to you.
You lose nothing from charitable giving. The more you give, the more you receive in return. ("Divrei Yechezkel")
May the zechut of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!
(https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/138-Rabbi-Yechezkel-Shraga-of-Shiniava)