Valka

Born on 10 Tevet 5631 (3 January 1871) in Slutsk. He studied at the Volozhin Yeshiva. For a certain period he studied in chavruta with the Gaon of Rogatchov.

Son-in-law (by his first marriage) of R. Yechiel Michal Wolfson, rabbi in Haditch, Seltz, and Yanishok, and author of the book Sfat HaYam.

He appears in the marriage registration books of the Riga community (1903–1909) as officiant of kiddushin, “R. Masliansky, assistant rabbi in Valka.” He served in the rabbinate here from 5657 (1897) and also served as official rabbi.

After the First World War, an arbitration committee on behalf of the Allied Powers ruled that the city would be divided, with only its smaller part annexed to Latvia. In 1920 the city was divided, and the larger part was annexed to Estonia. From then on the two parts were called Valka in Latvia and Valga in Estonia. R. Masliansky moved to the Estonian part of the city and served there as rabbi until the Second World War.

After the Second World War, from 5706 (1946), he served as rabbi of the only synagogue that survived after the war, the Peitav Shul, in Riga.

He passed away there on 12 Adar I 5719 (20 February 1959), and his resting place is in the Shmerli Cemetery in Riga.

Registration books of the Riga community. Pinkas HaKehillot, p. 112. List of R. Avraham Gudin, of blessed memory. The municipal archive of Valga, Estonia.

The inscription on the ohel over his grave:

Here lies \
our father, crown of our head, \
our teacher the great rabbi \
R. Moshe David son of R. Shmuel, of blessed memory, \
Masliansky. \
His memory shall be engraved in our hearts forever. \
His soul ascended in purity, 12 Adar I, \
5719. \
Those mourning him — his son and daughters and all who knew him. \
May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

Inscription on the other side:

Here lies \
this dear man, \
who studied Torah constantly, \
loved every person \
and was beloved by all, \
cherished Torah and honored \
the rabbis, attended many Torah scholars, \
studied and taught and upheld its commandments \
with joy and self-sacrifice. \
A great shepherd who \
tended his flock \
for many years \
in the holy congregation of Riga. \
To illuminate the eyes from his teachings (?).

Latvia and Rabbis