Rav Moshe Dovid Lida was born in 5540/1780. He was a grandson and namesake of Rav Moshe Lida, Rav of Amsterdam, noted mekubol and author of several seforim.
From his youth, he was noted for his intense tefilla and Avodas Hashem.
Rav Moshe Dovid traveled to the court of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, and became his devoted Chassid. After the petira of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, Rav Moshe Dovid became the Chassid of the Chozeh of Lublin. He was also a Chassid of the Yid HaKodosh of Pshis'cha.
The Chozeh would send many young Chassidim to learn from the ways and teaching of Rav Moshe Dovid. Among his talmidim were Rav Yitzchok of Vorka; Rav Klonimus Kalman, the Ma’or VaShemesh; and Rav Meir of Apta, the Or LaShamayim.
Later, Rav Moshe Dovid was appointed Rav in Weisslitz, near Krakow. Although the town was small, it became famous due to the Tzaddik who resided there.
Rav Moshe Dovid was noted for his emotional tefillos and for his tzedaka works. Many traveled to him to receive his berachos, which were known to work wonders.
In the summer of 5588/1828, Rav Moshe Dovid traveled to the resort city Altendorf, in Hungary, where he suddenly passed away on the night of Tishah B’Av, at the age of just forty-eight. It has been noted that he thus shares the same yahrzeit as his Rebbe, the Chozeh of Lublin.
Rav Moshe Dovid was buried there, and his kever became a noted place of tefilla. His son was Rav Chaim, while his son-in-law, Rav Aryeh Leibish of Zhelichov, succeeded him as Rav in Weisslitz. Many of his Torah thoughts and talks were compiled and published as Sefer Migdal Dovid. Zechuso yagen aleinu.
