Rav Yaakov Tzvi was born in Reisha in 5538/1778, the son of Rav Naftoli. He was orphaned at a young age and was raised by his grandfather, Rav Yehuda ben Tzvi. He became renowned for his many gifts and talents, and studied together with Rav Yaakov Orenstein, mechaber of Yeshuos Yaakov.
He received the Chassidic tradition from his Rebbe and mentor, the Apta Rav, mechaber of Ohev Yisrael, as well as the Kozhnitzer Maggid, the Chozeh of Lublin and Rav Menachem Mendel of Rymanow.
He authored the sefer Kehillas Yaakov, where he cites the Apta Rav under the headings for Yeshua and Shiluach. Rav Yaakov Tzvi served as Rav in Dynow, Glogov, Huskav and Premisla.
He authored many seforim, including Molei HoRoim and Kehillas Yaakov on Toras Rashbi and the Zohar; Emes LeYaakov on Chumash; glosses and chiddushim on Shas and Mishnayos, printed in all the Vilna Editions; Bais Vaad LaChachomim, biographies of Tano’aim and Amoro’im; and Chinuch Bais Yehuda on Chanuka.
His son Rav Avrohom Eliezer Yehuda Leibush published many of his father’s seforim. He also had a son named Rav Mordechai of Nizanov. His son-in-law was Rav Avrohom Leib haKohen Troiget, who published Bais Vaad LaChachomim.
