Rav Yitzchak Blazer

Rav Yitzchok Blazer was born in Shnipshok, near Vilna, on Rosh Chodesh Adar 5597/1837. His father was Rav Shlomo. At twenty-five, by order of Rav Yisrael, Rav Itzele, as he was fondly known, was appointed Rav of Petersburg, a position he held for sixteen years. He is called after that city. Subsequently, he returned to Kovno. In 5636/1876, Rav Yisrael Salanter had established a kollel there. The kollel was eventually named Kollel Knesses Bais Yitzchok, in memory of Rav Yitzchok Elchonon. The true glory of the kollel was realized under the leadership of Rav Yitzchok Blazer, whose rousing lectures were the kollel’s life force. Rav Yitzchok was niftar on the eleventh of Av 5667/1907 at the age of seventy, and was buried on Har HaZeisim.