Rav Yekusiel Shmuel Shmelke Erblich Sassover Rebbe (Kislev 18, 5622 / 1861 - 162nd Yahrzeit)
Rav Yekusiel Shmuel Shmelka was born in Sassov in 5560/1800, the son of Rav Moshe Yehuda Leib. Orphaned at seven years old, he was raised by Rav Avrohom Chaim, the Orach LeChaim of Zlotshuv, and then by Rav Menachem Mendel of Kossov, until he married. He learned Chassidus under the Apta Rav, mechaber of Ohev Yisrael, Rav Moshe Tzvi of Savran and Rav Yisrael of Rizhin.
Initially, he opened a sugar factory together with Rav Avrohom Yaakov of Sadigura, but after this effort failed, he agreed to Rav Yisrael of Rizhin’s suggestion and returned to Sassov, this time to serve as Rebbe and succeed his father. In 5609 he was appointed Rav of Sassov as well.
His yichus accorded him great respect among the Tzaddikim of the generation. When Rav Menachem Mendel of Kosuv was niftar, and his sons had a dispute over who would succeed him and remain in Kosuv and who would move elsewhere, it was to Rav Yekusiel Shmelka of Sassov that they turned to settle the disagreement.
It was said among Chassidim that his father, Rav Moshe Leib Sassover, once visited Yaglanitza and said that one of his descendants would be laid to rest there. He left a tzavo’a – a final will and testament – asking that he be buried on the same day he was niftar and Rav Yosef Babad was appointed as trustee to carry out all his instructions. Rav Yekusiel Shmuel Shmelka was indeed laid to rest in Yaglanitza.
His sons were Rav Alter and Rav Yaakov, who did not take on positions as Rebbes. His sons-in-law were: Rav Shlomo Shapira of Munkascz, Rav Betzalel of Bichov, Rav Shraga Yair of Bialobrazig (a scion of the Yid HaKodosh), mechaber of Aron Eidus.
