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R. Yaakov son of R. Yehuda Bendtman

Bauska

Born in the year 5550 (1790) in Raseiniai.

His grandfather, R. Shmuel the Pious of Raseiniai (a student of the Vilna Gaon), was his primary teacher; he also received Torah from his uncle R. Eliyahu, rabbi of Klikol and Pilten.

He was known as R. Yankel Bauske.

He served as rabbinic decisor in Sugind Chadash (afterward renamed Neustadt-Tauroggen), and in the years 5585–5592 (1825–1832) as rabbinic decisor in Šiauliai (Shavel).

From the year 5592 he served as rabbi of Bauska until his passing on 27 Adar 5621 (9 March 1861).

Author of the book Zikaron Yaakov, responsa and novellae (Vilna 5635).1)

An approbation from him was printed in the book Minchot Aharon of R. Aharon son of R. Elchanan, rabbi of Riga. His approbation for the printing of the Talmud in Slavuta was printed in tractate Berakhot, Slavuta 5595.2 An approbation from him also appears in Ginzei HaMelekh (manuscript), as cited here.

2. A photograph in the introduction to the Vilna Talmud, p. 280, Eshkol edition, Jerusalem 5754.

After his passing, for about half a year – until the beginning of the year 5622 – his son-in-law R. Israel Leib Chaimovitch served as temporary rabbi.2)

LeKorot Ir Rasein VeRabbaneha, pp. 25–26. Yidishe Shtet, Shtetlekh, un Dorfishe Yishuvim in Lite, p.
580. Yahadut Latviya, pp. 248–9. Wikipedia, his entry. See also Rabboteinu SheBaGolah, vol. 2, p. 219.

Latvia and Rabbis

1)
It should be noted that at the end of section 54 it is written: “Said the publisher [his grandson]: After I arranged this responsum, the distinguished Gaon, our teacher R. Betzalel HaKohen, rabbinic decisor of Vilna, drew my attention to the fact that the great Gaon the true Hasid etc., our teacher R. Menachem Mendel, of blessed memory, rabbi of Lubavitch, in his precious book Tzemach Tzedek, section 46, also had doubts about this ruling and also concluded with the breadth of his understanding to permit.”
2)
As appears from the registration books of births and marriages.