Rav Yosef was the son of Rav Mordechai of Neshchiz. He was born in 5623/1763 and named for his maternal grandfather, Rav Yosef Katzenelenbogen, Rav of Leshnov.
He married the daughter of Rav Yehuda Meir Shapira of Shpitovka, the son of Rav Pinchas of Koritz.
Rav Yosef was appointed Rav in Ostilla in his father’s lifetime. After the petira of his father on the 8th of Nissan 5560/1800, Rav Yosef became Rebbe in Ostilla.
Rav Yosef often went to the court of the Chozeh in Lublin. The Chozeh held him in high esteem, calling him “the Urim V’tumim”.
Rav Yosef was famous as a ba’al mofes. Many traveled to his court for his wondrous yeshuos.
During his tenure as Rebbe, the city of Ostilla became famous when his daughter married Rav Don of Radvill, a grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. This wedding, known as the Ostilla chasuna, was attended by hundreds of Rebbes.
While Rav Yosef was in Ostroha, for the wedding of his son, on the 18th of Elul 5590/1830, he was suddenly niftar, and was honored with a large levaya. He was buried in Ostroha. When the family returned home to Ostilla they found his tzavo’a (will), in which he explicitly wrote that he would like a small levaya.
Rav Yosef’s sons were Rav Pinchas of Ostilla; Rav Mordechai of Ostilla; Rav Levi Yitzchok of Stephin; and Rav Boruch of Kosnitin. His sons-in-law were Rav Don of Radvill; Rav Levi Yitzchok of Kamin; and Rav Aharon Tzintz, Rav of Turbin. Zechuso yogen oleinu.
