Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin

Yaakov Yitzchak Of Lublin

Yaakov Yitzchak (also Jacob Isaac) Horowitz (Polish: Jakub Izaak Horowicz, Hebrew: יעקב יצחק הורוביץ‎), of Lublin, known as "The Chozeh of Lublin" (Hebrew: החוזה מלובלין‎, The Seer of Lublin), or simply as the "Chozeh", (c. 1745 - August 15, 1815) was a Hasidic rebbe from Poland.

A leading figure in the early Hasidic movement, he became known as the chozeh, which means "seer" or "visionary" in Hebrew, due to his great intuitive powers (he was actually nearly blind). He was a disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch. He continued his studies under Rabbi Shmelke of Nilkolsburg and Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. He lived for a while in Lantzut before moving to Lublin.

After Yaakov Yitzchak moved to Lublin, thousands of Hasidim flocked to learn from him. Among his discples were such Hasidic luminaries as the Yid Hakodesh ("The Holy Jew"), Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, Rabbi Meir of Apta, Rabbi David of Lelov, the Yismach Moshe, Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, Rabbi Naftali Zvi of Ropshitz, the Ma'or Vashemesh, and Sar Shalom of Belz. The Seer of Lublin also gained the reputation of a miracle-worker who could accomplish the tikkun or repair of the souls of those who sought his assistance and guidance. During his stay in Lublin Yaakov Yitzchak was opposed by a prominent rabbi, Rabbi Ezriel Horowitz.

Yaakov Yitzchak was a descendant of Isaiah Horowitz (Hebrew: ישעיה הלוי הורוביץ), also known as the Shelah ha-Kadosh (Hebrew: של"ה הקדוש), a prominent Levite rabbi and mystic.

He was injured in a fall from a window on Simchat Torah, and died almost a year later on Tisha B'av from injuries relating to this fall.

On the day he died, August 15, 1815 (9th of Av, 5575, on the Hebrew Calendar), he allegedly prophesized that 100 years from that day (according to the Hebrew Calendar), the Russians would lose their reign over Poland. On July 20, 1915 (9th of Av, 5675 on the Hebrew Calendar), the Austrians conquered Lublin, and the Chozeh's prophecy was noted in the Polish newspapers.