Rav Avrohom Dovid Wahrman Butchatcher Rav, Ba'al Ha'Eshel Avrohom-Butchatch, the Tzaddik of Butchatch (Tishrei 29, 5601 / 1840 - 184th Yahrzeit)
AUTHOR OF AISHEL AVRAHAM
Rav Avraham Dovid Wahrman of Buczacz, the son of Rav Asher Anshel ben Rav Dovid, was born on the 6th of Adar, 5531 (1771). He was the son-in-law of Rav Tzvi Hirsch Kara, Av Beis Din of Buczacz and author of Neta Sha’ashuim. His second marriage was to the daughter of Rav Mordechai Mardish, Av Beis Din of Ungvar.
He studied both under his father and his uncle, Rav Yehoshua Charif. When his father-in-law tested him, he said that his mind was like the “mind of the Rashba!” He also studied mathematics and the German and Polish languages.
He was a child prodigy, praised by Rav Meshulem Igra of Pressburg, Rav Dovid Shlomo Eibschitz of Soroka and Rav Meshulem Feivish Heller of Zabaraz.
After his marriage, Rav Avraham Dovid settled in Buczacz and studied with such colleagues as Rav Chaim of Czernowitz and the mekubal, Rav Neta of Podheitz.
He was appointed at the age of twenty as Rav of Yazlovitch, in 5551 (1791). He accomplished great things for the community yet maintained his great hasmadah in Torah study. They said about him that he sat down to learn Torah, and it was as if (like it is said about Yaakov Avinu) he did not move or leave his spot for 14 years!
Rav Meir of Premishlan once visited the city and was amazed with its great sanctity, all thanks to the influence of Rav Dovid.
It was in Yazlovitch where he drew close to chassidus. When his son, Reb Yisroel Leib, grew ill, Rav Avraham Dovid traveled to Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who was at the time in Hromilov, to receive his beracha for a refuah. Rav Levi Yitzchak gave him his heartfelt blessings and upon his leaving, escorted him until Skalat. Rav Dovid was greatly influenced by the tzaddik; he spent some six weeks with Rav Levi Yitzchak and when he came home he was a changed man.
He now was always energized and excited and would walk the streets wearing tallis and tefillin calling out to people to repent and do teshuvah. He told his rebbetzin to give back any of their dowry that was earning interest. He only calmed somewhat after meeting Rav Moshe Leib Sassover. He also studied and received chassidus from Rav Tzvi Hirsch, the Maggid of Nadvorna.
In 5574 (1814), Rav Avraham Dovid succeeded his father-in-law as rav of Buczacz. Although most of the town residents loved and respected him, he also had opponents and detractors. Some were the misngadim, who opposed his chassidic customs and influence, and others were maskilim, who were against all traditional rabbanim. These maskilim had no qualms against turning to the gentile authorities with false charges, slander and libel against a G-d fearing rabbi, in order to achieve their nefarious aims.
Rav Avraham Dovid davened at great length, almost half of the day. His Torah discourses spilled forth and lasted hours. Sometimes his seudah shlishis continued through the night until the early morning hours.
His piety and tzidkus did not impinge upon his vigorous schedule of Torah learning. He was an unnaturally prolific writer in halachah, eliciting the praise and wonder of other masters of Halacha in his generation. Rav Tzvi Hirsch Orenstein, the Rav of Lvov, wrote that Rav Avraham Dovid was “a true gaon, a prince of Torah, who had a complete grasp of both the hidden and revealed aspects of Torah, a tzaddik – foundation of the world, and a holy man of G-d; his name and memory are an honor!”
He was also close with other tzaddikim such as Rav Tzvi Hirsch of Zidatshuv, Rav Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, Rav Moshe Bromer of Bodzhanov, Rav Shraga Feivel Shrayer of Brodshin and Rav Chaim Yeruchem Lantz, author of Divrei Chaim.
Rav Avraham Dovid, as did other tzaddikim of the generation, believed that the year 5600 (1840) would bring Mashiach. He made advance preparations, acquiring special clothing to wear to welcome and receive the Mashiach in due honor. When the year passed and Mashiach failed to arrive, he fell sick with worry and disappointment. On Shabbos Mevorchim MarCheshvan, 5601 (1841), he mustered enough strength to bentsh the new month, and the next day he fell into his final death throes and succumbed.
His sons were Rav Yisrael Aryeh Leib, who succeeded him; Rav Moshe Yosef, who made aliya to Tiveriya, and Rav Yaakov.
His daughter, Aidel Sarah Rechil, married Rav Yosef Yehoshua Wahrman who was later the Buczaczer Rebbe.
Rav Avraham Dovid passed away on the 29th of Tishrei, 5601 (1840).
He was a prolific author and only some of his many Torah manuscripts were published:
- Imros Tehoros on Hilchos Tevila and Shabbos
- Aishel Avraham and Yad Ramah on the Haggadah Shel Pesach
- Aishel Avraham on Orach Chaim
- Birkas Avraham - Likkutim gathered by a talmid and disciple, Rav Moshe ben Rav Tzvi of Kolomaya
- Birkas Dovid on the Torah
- Divrei Dovid on Siddur HaTefillah
- Divrei Avos on Pirkei Avos
- Daas Kedoshim on Hilchos Shechita and Treifos
- Daas Kedoshim on Hilchos Sefer Torah (usually printed together with Daas Kedoshim on Hilchos Tefillin and Mezuzah)
- Daas Kedoshim on Hilchos Melichah
- Kesef HaKadoshim on Choshen Mishpat
- Machzeh Avraham on the Torah, together with Chozeh Dovid on Nach and Chazon LaMoed on Moadim
- Milei deChassidusa on Sefer Chassidim
- Ezer MiKodesh on Even HaEzer
- Tehillah LeDovid on Tehillim
- Tefillah LeDovid Hilchos Berachos and Seder Hatefillah
See also Dor Deah Geonim 199-208; Sippurei Chassidim - Moadim 141
