Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin

Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz (Hebrew: יעקב יצחק הלוי הורוביץ‎), known as "the Seer of Lublin" (החוזה מלובלין‎), ha-Chozeh MiLublin; c. 1745 - August 15, 1815)[1] was a Hasidic rebbe from Poland.[2][3]

Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin
Tombstone
Title	Seer of Lublin
Personal
Born	Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz 1745
Died	August 15, 1815
Religion	Judaism
Children	Rabbi Tzvi Halevi Horowitz, Rabbi Israel Halevi Horowitz, Rabbi Yosef Halevi Horowitz, Rabbi Avraham Halevi
Parents	Rabbi Avraham Eliezer Halevi Horowitz (father) Matil, daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Koppel of Lukow (mother)

A leading figure in the early Hasidic movement, he became known as the "seer" or "visionary" due to his purported ability to gaze across great distance by supernatural means. He was a disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch. He continued his studies under Shmelke of Nilkolsburg and Elimelech of Lizhensk. He lived for a while in Lantzut before moving to Lublin.[4]

After Horowitz moved to Lublin, thousands of Hasidim flocked to learn from him.[5] Among his disciples were such Hasidic luminaries as Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowicz ("the Holy Jew"), Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, Meir of Apta, David of Lelov, Moshe Teitelbaum, Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, Naftali Zvi of Ropshitz, and Shalom Rokeach of Belz. Horowitz also gained a reputation as a miracle-worker who could accomplish the tikkun, or repair of the soul, of those who sought his assistance and guidance. During his stay in Lublin, Horowitz was opposed by a prominent mitnaged rabbi, Azriel Horowitz.[5]

Horowitz was a descendant of Isaiah Horowitz, a prominent rabbi and mystic,[1] and his maternal grandfather, Yaakov Koppel Likover, also a prominent rabbi and scholar, as well as a contemporary of the Ba'al Shem Tov.

He was injured in a fall from a window on Simchat Torah night, following the ritual hakafos dancing, and died almost a year later on Tisha B'av[6] from injuries relating to this fall. He is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery, Lublin. His great grandson was Rabbi Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira of Piaseczna.

Works

His writings are contained in four books:[7][8]

• Divrei Emet
• Zot Zikaron
• Zikaron Zot
• Zikaron Tov

In a compilation of these works, entitled Torat HaChozeh MiLublin, his commentaries are arranged alphabetically according to topics and according to the weekly Torah portion.

References

1. "Ya'akov Yitshak Horowitz".
2. "The Chozeh (Seer) Of Lublin". "Rabbi Yaacov Yitzchak, the Chozeh of Lublin, is one of the truly beloved figures of Chassidism. He merited the title of Chozeh, which means seer or visionary ..."
3. "Teachings of Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, the Chozeh of Lublin".
4. Stone Goodman. "Dark vision".
5. Rabbi Sholom Klass. "The Chozeh Of Lublin". The Jewish Press.
6. 'Codex Judaica' M.Kantor, p.261
7. "Reb Yaakov Yitzchak - The Chozeh of Lublin". Breslev.
8. "Sons & Daughters". JewishGen KehilaLinks.

• Glenn Dynner (2006). Men of Silk: The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781429438346.