יעקב שמשון משפיטובקה

Rav Jacob Samson of Shepetovka (5480/1720–3 Sivan 5561/1801), Rav Yaakov Shimshon as he is known in chasidic sources, was one of the tzaddikim of the third generation of the chasidic movement, who in his last years went up to Eretz Yisrael and made his home in Teveria. He was born to Rav Yitzchak, who held the rabbanut of Slavuta, Shepetovka, Uman, and Be’er. Recognized in his youth as an illui, he learned under the Maggid of Mezritch and under Rav Pinchas of Koretz.

Chasidic tradition tells that his “lomdus” learnedness and sharpness earned him a mission from the Maggid: to carry the message of chasidut to prominent rabbanim who opposed it. In that capacity he came before the rav of Prague, the Noda BiYehuda, Rav Yechezkel Landau. Finding that the Noda BiYehuda made light of the sefer Toldot Yaakov Yosef, he entered into a debate with him over it, and prevailed. The exchange was apparently first printed in Imrei Noam of Rav Moshe Leib Shapira (Czernowitz, 5644/1884).

He appears to have gone up to Eretz Yisrael twice, first around 5550/1790, entering by way of Acco, and again in 5555/1795. He settled in Teveria, where he clashed with Rav Avraham of Kalisk, and then went abroad to raise funds for the Polish olim. In 5559/1799 he returned to the Land for good, arriving at Haifa. Shivchei HaRan relates that there he happened upon the emissary of Rav Nachman of Breslov, who was looking for a ship to carry Rav Nachman home. Rav Yaakov Shimshon handed the money over to the messenger at once, fearing that otherwise it would fall to the authorities, who were hunting for such funds; Rav Nachman took this as a sign that he was to remain in Eretz Yisrael a while longer. Rav Nachman later made peace between Rav Avraham of Kalisk and Rav Yaakov Shimshon.

His sons-in-law were Rav Yehuda Meir Shapira of Shepetovka, son of his rebbe Rav Pinchas of Koretz, and Rav Yisrael Yehuda Leib of Krasna. In 5777/2017 a beit midrash bearing his name was established in Teveria.