Riga
Born in 5614 (1854) in the town of Visoki in Lithuania. A student of the Geonim R. Meir Simcha HaKohen of Dvinsk and the Gaon of Rogatchov. R. Meir Simcha was accustomed to call him “mein kind” (“my child”), and even wrote an enthusiastic approbation for his book Chazon Ash (in which he brings several sayings from his teacher). The Gaon of Rogatchov would pinch his cheek in public and say “mein Welwele ken lernen” (“my Welwele knows how to learn”).
Son-in-law of R. Levi Polotzky, head of the ritual slaughterers in Dvinsk.
He served in the rabbinate in the town of Dugelishok, district of Vilna, and in later years as Maggid Mesharim1) at the Peitav Beit Midrash in Riga for many years.
Author of the books: Chazon Ash (Piotrków 5672), Simchat Chaim, vol. 1 (Riga 5690), Simchat Chaim, vol. 2 (Riga 5699).
A responsum to him was printed in the responsa Tsafnat Pa'aneach HaChadashot, vol. 4, section 99.
He perished in the Holocaust in the massacre of the Jews of Riga in the Rumbula forest, on the day of the first Action of the ghetto, 8 Kislev 5702 (28 November 1941).
Yahadut Latviya, p. 387. Latvia: Batei Knesset VeRabbanim, p. 229.
Latvia and Rabbis