Ludza / Lucin
Born in approximately 5545 (1785). A distinguished student of his father the rabbi mentioned above. He also studied under R. Gershon, Av Beit Din of Shklov, and under the rabbis of Kreslava, R. Neta and R. Shmuel.
He filled his father's place in the rabbinate from the month of Nisan 5570 (1810) until his passing on 3 Iyyar 5616 (8 May 1856), and his resting place is here in Lucin.
He was greatly occupied with helping Jewish children who had been seized as soldiers (the “Cantonists”).
He also served as official censor on behalf of the government.
He traveled occasionally to the Middle Rebbe of Lubavitch, who wrote of him “he feared God from his youth.” He was very beloved by the Lubavitcher Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek and visited him several times.
In the responsa Pnei Yitzchak (by R. Yitzchak Aizik, son of R.D., rabbi of Vitebsk and student of the Alter Rebbe, author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch), section 2, a responsum to him was printed; and likewise in Zekher Yehuda, section 22: “To the honor of the great and renowned rabbi, sharp and expert etc., the honor of the rabbi our master Naftali.”
Megilat Yochasin, letter 27. Yachas Avot, letter 67, with an interesting story about his visit in his youth to the Middle Rebbe. Records of his grandson Shabtai Daniel (Don Yechiya).
The text of his tombstone:1)
Here is hewn the grave of our teacher and rabbi, the Gaon, \
the great luminary, sharp and expert, lamp of Israel, our teacher the rabbi, \
Naftali, son of the Gaon our master David, of blessed memory, rabbi here. \
Passed away Wednesday, Iyyar, year 5616.
Latvia and Rabbis