Son of Rav Avraham Eliezer and Sprintza Matil. Born תק''ז (approximately). He was raised in the home of his maternal grandfather, Rav Yaakov Kopel Likover.
At age 14 he studied in Rav Tzvi Hirsch Meiselish’s yeshiva in Zolkava where he studied together with the Rav’s son Rav Avigdor Meislish --who later serve as Av Beis Din Bilgoria-- and their friendship lasted their entire lives.
From Zolkova he left for Rav Shmelka Nikolsberger’s yeshiva which was at the time in Shinova. The Chozeh became a favorite pupil and it was here that he acquired a great amount of wisdom and most of his skills in learning.
Two stories regarding his time in yeshivah are related below in the section of stories.
HIS MARRIAGE
He married Tehillah Sprintza the daughter of Rav Hirsch of Lanczut. After she passed away, the Chozeh used the method known as sheilos chalom (a dream quest) where he asked a question and was answered in his dream. With this method, he came to wed his second wife. This second marriage was to Baila, the daughter of Rav Meir of Mast, a descendant of the Pnei Yehoshua. He sent Rav Naphtali Ropshitzer and Shimon of Zelichov to complete the shidduch. (Ramasayim Tzofim on Tanna Dvei Eliyahu Rabbah 18:62, Niflaos HaRebbe 163)
After the Maggid’s passing on 19 Kislev, Rav Yaakov Yitzchok returned to study under the Rebbe Shmelka. He moved from Shinova to Nikoslberg where he studied under Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev until he moved from Zelichov to Pinsk. There, he studied under the Rebbe Reb Meilech of Lizensk.
The Chozeh of Lublin was known to say "I set aside a specific time every day in order to give thanks to Hashem for sending down to this world the great and holy neshama (soul) of the Rebbe Levi Yitzchak." (Tiferes Shlomo Ki Savo, Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 4:45)
His Children:
Rav Yisroel of Lublin 19 Tammuz; Rav Yosef of Turtshin (p. 110 Encyclopedia of Chassidus 1782-1818 תקמ''ב-תקע''ח no date given); Rav Avraham; Rav Tzvi Hirsch; Meir Sholom. His son-in-law Rav Shmuel of Reisha, who married his daughter Sarah Tzirel
HIS SEGULOS:
Segulas For Learning Sefer Degel Machane Ephraim
The Berditchever Rav author of Kedushas Levi wrote that “I am assured that this sefer will enliven and inspire the hearts of our brethren Bnei Yisroel and set them aflame to serve Hashem with avodas haBoreh Baruch Hu.” (Haskamah to Degel)
The Chozeh of Lublin said that “Surely the author (who was a gaon and G-dly man)’s merit shall aid and help all who study these words that came out from his holy mouth and when they recite them in the name of the author his lips will move in the grave and who will act as an advocate on our behalf because tzadikim are even greater in death than in life.” (Haskamah to Degel)
The Ahavas Yisroel of Vizshnitz once told his son the Damesek Eliezer that the heilige Rizhiner testified to his followers and Chassidim that just to study the holy Sefer Degel Macheneh Ephraim is a segulah for good children – Lernen in Degel iz mesegual tzi gitte kinder! (Siach Zekenim 5 p.42)
