Yaakov ben Yaakov MosheLorberbaum of Lissa was a rabbi and posek. He is most commonly known as the "Ba'al HaChavas Da'as" or "Ba'al HaNesivos" for his most well-known works, or as the "Lissa Rav" for the city in which he was Chief Rabbi.
Biography
Lorberbaum was the great-grandson of the Chacham Tzvi, Rabbi Zvi Ashkenazi; he was therefore related to Rabbi Jacob Emden. According to one tradition, his father, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe, died before he was born, and his relative, Rabbi Yosef Teomim, the rabbi of Bursztyn, brought him up. This accounts for the common name that both father and son share. Another tradition states that before he was born, his father fell ill, and dreamed that he would recover in the merit of the son that would be born to him. In the merit of his future son, the father took his name-to-be.. Yet another legend told, is that at his naming ceremony his father was preoccupied with his learning and thought they asked for his own name. He studied under Rabbi Meshulam Igra. He was head of the Beis Din in Kalush, Ukraine. In 1809, he agreed to become the Rav in Lissa, where he enlarged his Yeshiva's enrollment. Hundreds of scholars came to study there in the years of his leadership. Among his students were Rabbi Elijah Gutmacher, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer, and Rabbi Shraga Feivel Danziger. Along with Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Rabbi Eiger's son-in-law, the Chasam Sofer, Rabbi Lorberbaum vehemently fought against the maskilim, the reformers of the Jewish Enlightenment. In 1822, he left Lissa and returned to Kalish, where he wrote many of his works. He lived there for ten years. He was widely respected as a posek, and is one of three authorities on whom Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried based his rulings in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, the well known precis of Jewish law. Similarly, the Chochmat Adam, by Rabbi Avraham Danzig, was written in consultation with Rabbi Lorberbaum. His status was such that it is reported that Rabbi Eiger once fainted when he was honored with an Aliyah in the lieu of Rav Yaakov.. Rabbi Lorberbaum died in Stryj on 25 May 1832.
* He also published his late father's works on the Talmud, including his famous novellae to Tractate Keritot
Works of Halacha include:
* Chavas Daas, commentary on Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, 69-201; the earlier sections of Yoreh Deah are very briefly dealt with in the form of an introduction to the work. In it the works of earlier commentators are discussed and somewhat pilpulistically developed.
* Mekor chayim, commentary on Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, 429 and following, with notes on the commentaries Turei Zahav and Magen Avraham; the second part contains chiddushim on Keritot
* Nesivos HaMishpat on Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, in two parts. It is said that Nesivos HaMishpat was made famous by the strong attacks in it against the Ketzos HaChoshen of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller.
* Kehillas Yaakov, a collection of discussions and notes on several legal points in the Even HaEzer and Orach Chayim
* Derech Chaim on Orach Chayim. This compendium is very popular and was frequently reprinted in the larger Hebrew prayer-books. These dinim are taken either from later exponents of the Law as contained in the works Turei Zahav, Magen Abraham, Pri Megadim, etc., or from his own decisions. The sources from which he borrowed are usually indicated.
Other works by Rabbi Lorberbaum include:
*Imrei Yosher, commentary on the on the Five Megillot. The commentary on each Megillah is under a different name.
*Masei Nissim, a commentary on the Pesach Haggadah, with the text and a short compendium of the Passover ritual
*Nachalas Yaakov, published by his cousin Naphtali Z. Chachamowicz after his death, comprising sermons on the Torah Portion, halachic decisions, responsa, and his last will. In this famous ethical will he asked that his sons devote time every day to learn at least one page of Gemara.
