Born in 5514/1756, Rav Shmuel Eibschutz was the son of Rav Naftali Hertz, related to Rav Yonoson Eibschutz, and a descendant of the Megaleh Amukos.
Rav Shmuel learned under Rav Akiva Eiger for a number of years. After settling in Vorka, he was attracted to the ways of Chassidus and traveled to the court of the Maggid of Kozhnitz. As was customary among Chassidim, they did not wear woolen clothes because it was possible that they contained sha’atnez, an Issur d’Oraisa. Rav Shmuel, who came from a non-Chassidic background, wore woolen clothing, but upon joining the Chassidim, he changed to silk garments.
Later, in Posen, he met Rav Akiva Eiger, who asked him why he wore silk and not wool. Rav Shmuel explained the opinion of the Chassidim. At once, Rav Eiger ripped off his woolen garment, exclaiming that he was shocked that he hadn’t thought of this issue himself. It is related that Rav Akiva Eiger stood there, waiting until he was brought new garments free of any halachic issues.
Rav Shmuel also went to the court of the Chozeh. He was appointed Rav in Vorka, where he served for thirty-eight years. Later, in 5595/1835, he became Rav in Apta, a post he held until his petira.
Rav Shmuel was niftar on the seventeenth of Menachem Av 5600/1840, at the age of eighty-six. He was buried in Apta. His sons were Rav Berish, Rav in Zelichov; Rav Efraim, Rav in Piaseczna and Sulifa; Rav Mordechai; and Rav Simcha. Among his famous talmidim were Rav Yissochor Ber of Radoshitz and Rav Yaakov Aryeh of Radzimin, who grew up in Rav Shmuel’s home.
From the many manuscripts of his chiddushim, only the one on Torah was published, under the name Toras Shmuel. His chiddushim on Shas were never published, except those on the sugya of Kavsa in Masechtes Shabbos, which were printed at the back of Toras Shmuel. The sefer was highly regarded by many of the generation’s Gedolim and received glowing haskomos.
Zecher tzaddik livrachah.
