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Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Zidichov Born: Sambor, 1763 Died: Zidichov, 1831 Chassidic leader, Kabbalist. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh was a disciple of Rabbi Yaacov Yitzchak, the Seer of Lublin (the Chozeh of Lublin). He was introduced to the Chozeh by his younger brother Rabbi Moshe of Sambor. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh developed a close friendship with the tzaddik Rabbi Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz. Among R' Tzvi Hirsh's students were famous tzaddikim such as Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov (Bnei Yisaschar), Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Zidichov, Rabbi Shimon of Yaruslav and Rabbi Shalom of Kaminka. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh was very passionate about studying Kabbalah, Zohar and Kitvei Ari (writings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) in particular. He made a tremendous effort in encouraging Jews to study Zohar and Kitvei Ari. With the assistance of his students, some yeshivot in Galicia added the study of Kabbalah to their curriculum. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh blended the teachings of the Baal
Shem Tov with the kabbalah of The Ari.
He said that its not possible to grasp nor understand the holy rabbis, if the
individual lacks knowledge of the Zohar and Kitvei Ari, which are the source and
root of Chassidut. Lack of faith in tzaddikim is also a result of lacking such
knowledge. R' Hirsh believed that this lack of connection was the root cause for
lack of faith (chisron emunah). He said, "The one who never saw the
light of Sefer HaZohar, never saw a light in his life." Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna writes
in one of his books that the soul of his teacher R' Tzvi Hirsh is from the root
of soul of Rabbi
Chaim Vital which is close to Rabbi Akivah.
Once Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh told his brother R' Moshe of Sambor
that in one of his previous lives he was Rabbi
Yishmael Kohen Gadol (one of a series of high priests of the
Second Temple). The tzaddikim of his generation said he had the soul of the
famous Yenukah, mentioned in the
Zohar portion of Balak. Another one of his students Rabbi
Yitzchak Isaac of Zidichov said " I heard from the holy
mouth of my teacher that he was one of the students of Rabbi
Shimon Bar Yochai".
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