Rav Yisrael was the son of Rav Yitzchok (the Pachad Yitzchok), founder of the Boyan dynasty. He was born on the twenty-fourth of Elul 5638/1878, coinciding with the first day of Selichos.
His paternal grandfather, Rav Avrohom Yaakov of Sadigura, commented that he entered this world like a veteran Chassid, arriving at the Rebbe’s court on the first day of Selichos. He was named Yisrael after his great-grandfather, Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin.
His father hired the best melamdim for him as he quickly climbed the ladder of success in his studies. In fact, he finished the entire Shas during his youth.
Rav Yisrael closely followed his holy father’s ways, absorbing the exalted nature of his Avodas HaKodesh.
He was the son-in-law of his uncle, Rav Shlomo of Sadigura. His second wife was the daughter of his uncle, Rav Dovid Halpern, son-in-law of the Ruzhiner.
After the petira of his father, he, along with his brothers, Rav Menachem Nachum, Rav Avrohom Yaakov, and Rav Mordechai Shlomo, began leading Chassidic courts.
The eldest son, Rav Menachem Nachum, set up his court in Chernovitz, Bukovina. The third son, Rav Avrohom Yaakov, moved to Lemberg, Galicia, where he established a large court and Yeshiva. Sadly, he was killed al kiddush Hashem at the hands of the Germans; Hy”d. The youngest son, Rav Mordechai Shlomo, left Europe for New York, where he was instrumental in building up the Torah community in the United States.
Rav Yisrael eventually moved to Leipzig, Germany, where his court served the many Ruzhiner Chassidim who had fled there during World War I.
Rav Yisrael was a beloved figure in the region; not only his Chassidim consulted with him, but the local population also benefited immensely from his presence.
He accomplished a great deal by building mikvaos, upholding kashrus, and generally strengthening Yiddishkeit.
In 5695/1935 he visited Eretz Yisrael, and was warmly welcomed by the yishuv there. He returned to Germany on a temporary basis, his heart desiring to settle permanently in the Holy Land.
In 5699/1939, he escaped the Nazi barbarity by fleeing to Switzerland, where he stayed for a short while before continuing his journey to Eretz Yisrael.
Rav Yisrael re-established his Bais Medrash in Tel Aviv, which served as a focal point for Boyaner Chassidim after the war.
He was known for his ability to be po’el yeshuos. His father said of him that he had the abilities of his father-in-law, Rav Shlomo of Sadigura, in his power to achieve yeshuos for people in need.
He was niftar on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, (thirtieth of Av) and was buried in Tzefas. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Rav Mordechai Shlomo of Boyan.
Zechuso yagein aleinu
