Rav Yitzchok Charif was the son of Rav Moshe of Dregatchin, the mechaber of Maggid Mishneh on the Mishnas Chassidim. Rav Yitzchok was known as a Godol in both nigleh and nistar. Many of the generation’s tzaddikim held him in the highest esteem.
When Rav Yitzchok was appointed Rav of Sambur, the non-Jewish ruler of the region came to receive his blessing.
Rav Yitzchok was well respected and admired by the members of the kehilla for his fatherly love and dedication to all their needs. Despite his lofty level of Torah and kedusha, Rav Yitzchok was involved in all that was happening in the city, and thus drew the people close to the Torah.
Many kehillos wanted to have Rav Yitzchok as their Rav. Following the petira of Rav Meir Berabi, the kehilla of Pressburg sought to appoint Rav Yitzchok as their Rav. So as not to delay his decision, they sent a K’sav Rabbonus right away to the home of the Rosh HaKohol of Sambur. Upon receiving the letter, the Rosh HaKohol decided not to show it to Rav Yitzchok, fearing that he would leave the city. When the kehilla of Pressburg did not receive any response from Rav Yitzchok, they sent another letter — again to the Rosh HaKohol — and again he did not pass it on.
When they realized that Rav Yitzchok was not responding, the Pressburg kehilla sent a letter to Rav Meshulom Igra, and in their letter they related the whole issue, that they sent Rav Yitzchok two letters, and since he ignored them, they were now offering Rav Igra the Rabbonus.
Rav Meshulom Igra was tempted to accept the prestigious Rabbonus of Pressburg, but upon hearing that Rav Yitzchok had declined, he wanted to discuss the matter with him, and hear his opinion. He traveled to Sambur to meet with Rav Yitzchok. Upon his arrival in Sambur, Rav Yitzchok arranged for a lavish seuda to be held in honor of the guest, with the leaders of the kehilla attending as well. During the seuda, Rav Meshulom asked Rav Yitzchok why he didn’t accept the Rabbonus of Pressburg. Rav Yitzchok looked up in amazement and said that he had never received such an offer.
The Rosh HaKohol stood up and confessed that he was the one who had received — and hidden — the letters, explaining that he did not want Rav Yitzchok to leave the city.
Rav Yitzchok ruled that the Rabbonus rightfully belonged to Rav Meshulom Igra, for he was the one to receive the K’sav Rabbonus.
Rav Yitzchok wrote She’eilos U’Teshuvos Pnei Yitzchok and Ho’Elef Lecha Shlomo on Shas. He was niftar on the 27th of Tammuz 5593/1833. Zecher tzaddik livrachah.
