(Some say the Yahrzeit is on the 25th of Av)
Author of Mevaser Tzedek
Son of Reb Aryeh Yehuda Leibush
His family name was MiGeza Tzvi because he was a known descendant of Rav Tzvi Hellman, the third son of Rav Chaim of Worms (the uncle of the Maharal of Prague). (See Kelilas Yofi Dembitzer Vol 2 p. 85)
He was also a descendant of the Maharshal and Rav Naphtali Katz, author Semichas Chachamim.
Born around ת''פ
Rav Yissocher Dov Ber was son-in-law of Rav Yonah Peretz of Levertov. He lived and studied there with such luminaries as Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (who was living with his own father-in-law, Rav Yisroel Peretz in Levertov); Rav Yosef Teomim, author of Pri Megadim; and Rav Yisroel Yona Landau of Kempena, author Maon Berachos (cousin of Noda B’Yehuda).
According to tradition, while studying with his cousin, the mekubal Rav Peretz ben Moshe, author of Bais Peretz, drew Rav Yissocher Ber to Chassidus and sent Rav Levi Yitzchok to study under Rav Shmuel Shmelka in Nikolsberg. (Mateh Levi 22)
Eventually, Rav Yissocher Ber came under the influence and tutelage of Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlatshuv and became his star pupil, his talmid muvhak. Among his other rebbes, mentors, and teachers cited, there is mention of other talmidim of the Mezritcher Maggid as well as the Maggid himself.
In תקנ''ה he moved to Eretz Yisroel together with Rav Yaakov Shimshon of Shpitevka, Rav Yissacher Ber of Zaslov, the gabbai of Kollel Reisen in Volyhn, and Rav Shraga Feivel of Lwow. Although they came at first to Teveria, he moved onwards to Tzefas.
Rav Yitzchok Isaac of Komarna relates (Nesiv Mitzvosecha Shvil Torah 1:13) that the following miracle occurred to him on his way to Eretz Yisroel:
“As they travelled by sea, a great storm threatened to kill them. He told the captain and the sailors to tie him to the mast of the ship so that the archangelic minister of the sea should gaze upon his Divine Image – Tzelem Elokim and then the sea will cease its tempest. This was only possible because, all of the days of his life, he never even slightly damaged his Divine Image – Tzelem Elokim. They did so, and instantly calm and tranquility reigned, and the sea was quiet.”
The reason for this move was according to his son Rav Yehudah Leib in his introduction to Bas Eini that from Heaven on High they awakened his father to move to Eretz Yisroel. Others too saw the year תקנ''ה as an auspicious time for the coming redemption such as Rav Pesach of Zhvill who in his approbation to the Siddur Rav Shabsi signed the gematria of that year as: בק''ץ המשי''ח = תקנ''ה לפ''ק. Furthermore in Mevaser Tzedek parshas Behar we find that Rav Yissocher Dov himself say the year תקנ''ה as an auspicious time for the coming redemption because of the ta’amei negina – the cantillation of menuch esnachta that Bnei Yisroel will have peace and settlement whereas the evil rulers will be overturned hinted at by the mehapech pashta and after the yovel zakef katan hinting at Yaakov the Katan’s zekifa, being elevated and uplifted.
Among his own disciples was Rav Chaim of Tshernovits author Be’er Mayim Chaim and Sidduro Shel Shabbos.
He authored Bas Eini on 14 Mesechtos of Shas and Shulchan Aruch, Halachic Responsa as well as Mevaser Tzedek on the Torah. (Some say that besides the gematria that Bas Eini equals Yisacher Dov that it hints at his blindness as well.)
He passed away half a year after he moved to Tzefas on 7 Menachem Avתקנ''ה and was laid to rest in the ancient bais hachaim in Tzefas. Others says he passed away 27 Menachem Av. (Ohr Yakrus Vol 2)
His son: Rav Yehudah Leibush of Dubna, his daughters: Sarah Miriam wife of Rav Chaim Leib of Alik and widowed with a second marriage as wife of Rav Avraham Chaim of Zlatshuv author Orach laChaim and Pri Chaim on Avos who succeeded his father in law after he moved to Eretz Yisroel.
His other sons in law Rav Gershon Margolios Nasi Kollel Chassidim Tzefas and Rav Pesach of Zaslov.
