Binyamin David Rabinowitz. Ruach Chaim [eulogy for Chief Rabbi Chaim Davidsohn of Warsaw].

(POLAND).

H.E. Bomberg

Warsaw

1854

Vinograd, Warsaw 542.

Born in 1760 and orphaned at an early age, R. Chaim Davidsohn became known as an illui and studied Torah under R. Ya’akov Lorberbaum of Lissa. In later years he also studied with R. Shlomo Eiger, the son-in-law of his wife’s brother, R. Israel Hirschensohn. R. Davidsohn became deeply involved in community affairs, and eventually was viewed as the senior shtadlan of the Warsaw community, with his signature appearing on proclamations of the Jewish community council (shiva tovei ha'ir). He served as supervisor ("mashgiach") of the Vaad and the Chief Rabbi of Warsaw, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Lipszyc would regularly consult with him on public affairs. When Chief Rabbi Lipszyc died in 1839, the majority of the community council wanted Rabbi Davidsohn as the replacement - despite his advanced age of 80 and despite not serving previously in a rabbinical position. He initially refused, yet eventually accepted the appointment. During his tenure, halachic questions from throughout Poland were addressed to him, but, out of modesty, before his passing, R. Davidsohn burned his rabbinical responsa and novellae to prevent them from being published. He died on the 14th day of Adar at the age of 94 and was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Warsaw, near the grave of his predecessor, Rabbi Lipszyc. He was succeeded as Chief Rabbi of Warsaw by R. Dov-Ber Meisels.