Daugavpils / Dvinsk / Dinabug / Denenborg / Denabarg
Born approximately in 5576 (1816)1) in Smorgon, district of Vilna, and was known in his youth as “the prodigy of Smorgon.”
He served as rabbi in the cities of Lebedova, Ivyanets, Ilya, Nesvizh, and Mstislavl.
He was accepted as rabbi in Dvinsk in 5639 (1879) and served in its rabbinate until his passing on 5 Menachem Av 5647 (26 July 1887), in his 71st year.
He was known as R. Reuvele Denegburger.
Author of the responsa Rosh LeReu'veni (Dvinsk 5696).
He was the rabbi of the Mitnagdim congregation.
In the records of the Maharshab2) it is related what he heard about him from the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Maharshab).
His biography was printed in several places.
Preface to his book. Beit Shalom (Brooklyn 5723), p. 69. Maran Rabbenu Meir Simcha Cohen (by R. Ze'ev Arye Rabiner, Tel Aviv 5727). Rabboteinu SheBaGolah, vol. 1, pp. 60 ff.
Grave of our master, teacher, and rabbi, a true Gaon,
who dispatched a clear halakhic ruling to all corners of the earth,
who served in the crown of the rabbinate of our city from the year
“A prince of Israel came to her” [chronogram = 5639]
until the year “The rabbi died” [chronogram = 5647],
and commanded that no titles of praise be written upon him
except “The Rabbi, the Av Beit Din, our master” —
R. Reuven son of R. Avraham HaLevi, may his memory be for a blessing.
Alas! Our great rabbi was summoned to the heavenly yeshiva
in the year “on Thursday in the month of Av” [chronogram = 5647],
and the Gaon R. Reuven is no more, by the abbreviated reckoning.
May his soul be bound in the bond of life.
Latvia and Rabbis