Rav Akiva Ginsburg - Frankfurter (Iyar 14, 5357 / 1597 - 427th Yahrzeit)
Son of Rav Yaakov of Nois, Germany. Also known as Rabbi Akiva Baal Nes of Frankfurt (Kelilas Yofi – Dembitzer vol. 1 p. 78b). His father, Rav Yaakov, was the grandson of the paytan (liturgical poet) Rabbi Akiva B’Rabi Elazar, a descendant of Rabbi Akiva Kohen of Alte Oven, who was descended from Aharon HaKohen.
He married Ella the daughter of Rav Shimon Ginsburg of Frankfurt d’Mein. On 6 Elul, שנ''ד, after she passed away, he married her sister, Frumit. She passed away 11 Nissan שע''ט. (See: Avnei Zikaron of Frankurt by Rav Mordechai haLevi Horowitz pp. 336 and 480)
He served as a shochet and also as one of the rabbonim in the mesivta and as darshan (his talmid, Rav Yosef Yuzpa Han Noerlingen of Frankfurt in his sefer, Yosef Ometz, described Rabbi Akiva as “hadarshan ha’gadol who says derashos every Shabbos and all year long”). Rav Akiva remained in Frankfurt from ש''ח until his passing at age seventy-seven on Pesach Sheini 14 Iyar שנ''ז (gematria = shem tov).
Among the famous published hespedim (eulogies) delivered was that of the Maharal of Prague which he delivered on the 17 Iyar during the days of the shiva for Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Akiva’s talent as a great orator and darshan were famed, and his moving sermons galvanized the kehillah in Frankfurt to establish several tzedakah institutions and organizations.
He instituted the concept of kupas yeshuos (tzedakah boxes for donations in times of distress), among the segulos he is known for, as related below. In the Tzemach David by Rav David Ganz who described him as “Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt--the great darshan in the aforementioned kehillah [Frankfurt], who was the son-in-law of Rav Shimon Ginzburg. and who was the one who started the kupos [tzedakah.]”
His Descendants
We know of a son, the Dayan Rav Yehudah Leib, whose passing was motzei Shabbos and buried on Sunday, Rosh Chodesh Elul שפ''ג, and a daughter who was wife of Rav Yehuda Yidel Kara, AvBeisDin of Gluga.
His Disciples Include
Rav Yosef Yuzpa Han Noerlingen of Frankfurt, author of Yosef Ometz and Rav Eliyahu Luantz AvBeisDin of Fulda, Freidberg, Metz and Worms known as Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem of Worms who published his rebbe, Rabbi Akiva’s sefer, Zemiros V’Sishbachos LeShomreinu with poems and songs for Shabbos. Rabbi Akiva’s other published sefer was named Techinos BeKol Yom LaE”l Nora V'Ayom, also containing songs and liturgical poetry. Another disciple was Rav Yaakov AvBeisDin, of Tzuzmir and author of Peirush HaMesorah and Taamei haMesorah.
His Segulos
Kupas Tzedakah
Rav David Ganz in his sefer, Tzemach Dovid, attributes Rabbi Akiva Frankfurter as the initiator of the kupas tzedakah as a source of yeshuah in times of danger, for when in need of salvation, and to avert tragedy.
The Chasam Sofer’s Segulah For Yeshuos
Rav Shlomo Sofer, son of the Kesav Sofer, and grandson of the Chasam Sofer testified that they continued this custom in his family based on what his grandfather, the author of the Chasam Sofer, established.
The Chasam Sofer’s custom was that whenever he needed a yeshuah –some salvation in any matter, be it large or small, would donate charity for the sake of the ascension of the pure soul of the chassid, Rav Akiva of Frankfurt.
He [Rav Akiva of Frankfurt himself] was the first to establish the kupos (the tzedakah pushkas). He enjoined others to give a donation of tzedakah le’illui nishmaso at any time of danger or disaster - Heaven save us - to effect salvation. (Chut HaMeshulash p. 197)
The Chasam Sofer’s Segulah For Lost Objects And Hatzlacha
In the name of the Chasam Sofer [a segulah] for success in finding lost objects, it is good to make a vow [to give tzedakah ] l’illui nishmas HaGaon HaKadosh Rabbi Akiva of Frankfurt. (Rav Yitzchok Weiss of Verboy, in the name of an anonymous talmid chacham who was a disciple of the Chasam Sofer. Alef Kesav vol. 2p. 840)
