Son of Rav Boruch Bendit Lichtenstein Av Beis Din Vetsh, Pressburg
Born 11 Kislev in Vetsh )תקע''ה )1814
In his early years, Rav Hillel Lichtenstein studied under his father and was one of the primary disciples of the Chasam Sofer. After he married, he settled in Galanta where he studied Torah for the next 13 years.
In תר''ו he was appointed as Rav in Margareten and afterwards in Klausenberg. After a disagreement with the government-appointed rabbi of the area, he left for Grossvardayan and afterwards returned to Margareten. There he traveled to Rav Chaim of Sanz and became an ardent follower. Rav Chaim received him warmly.
Eventually, Rav Hillel took upon himself the mantle of leadership and received pidyonos and kvitelach even while he continued traveling to Sanz. Even Rav Yechiel of Alexander sent him a kvitel. The number of his followers grew and he had so many chassidim that Rav Menachem Mendel Paneth of Deish complained about it to Rav Chaim of Sanz.
He was appointed Rav of Sikes and afterwards of Kolomaya.
He was active in communal affairs and became one of the founders of the Orthodox Congress of Hungary. He was also part of Machzikei HaDas in Galicia together with Rav Shimon Sofer of Cracow. He was a popular speaker and traveled from place to place delivering speeches to strengthen Yiddishkeit. He was one of main opponents who fought against the Hasakalah.
During his tenure in Kolomaya, a dispute arose between him and Rav Menachem Mendel of Vishnitz who had many followers and whose influence was great in the city. Rav Chaim of Sanz interceded and did his best to bring about conciliation.
Rav Hillel helped his son-in-law, Rav Akiva Yosef Shelesinger to acquire land in Petach Tikvah. The rav passed away 10 Iyar 1891) תרנ''א) and was laid to rest in Kolomaya.
His seforim include:
- Avkas Rochel – mussar
- Bais Hillel Chizuk Letters
- El HaAdarim-- in Yiddish for children
- Makri Dardaki-- on the parshah
- Maskil el Dal Derashos
- Es Laasos-- derashos in Yiddish
- Shirei Maskil – mussar
- Tochachas Meguleh --letters of chinuch and a dissent against Rav Ezriel Hildesheimer
- Teshuvos Bais Hillel—responsa
