For the Day of the Hillula (anniversary of passing), 19th of Adar 5640

A brief history of the holy life of Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon Hager of Kosov >>> His birth and marriage >>> His tenure on the throne of leadership and his passing from the world

His Birth and His Name

The Admor (Chassidic leader) Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Kosov was born in the year 5573 (1813) to his father Rabbi Chaim of Kosov (the Toras Chaim) and to his righteous mother, Rebbetzin Tzipporah, the daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Meir of Shepetivka, the son of Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz. His parents named him after his mother's grandfather, the holy Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka (Rabbi Yehuda Meir of Shepetivka was his son-in-law).

His younger brother was Rabbi Menachem Mendel, the first Admor of the Vizhnitz dynasty (the Tzemach Tzaddik), and Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon served as the sandek (the one who holds the baby) at his Bris Milah (circumcision) at the request of their father, the Toras Chaim of Kosov.

His Marriage and the Birth of His Son

In the year 5588 (1828), when Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon was 15 years old, he married, but he did not merit to have children with her. After ten years, he divorced her as prescribed by Halacha (Jewish law). Afterward, he married a second time, but he also had no offspring from her. In his third marriage—in the year 5615 (1855)—he became the son-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Sefard of Ostroh, and from this union, his only son and successor was born, Rabbi Moshe of Kosov, author of the book *Leket Oni*.

His Role in the Rabbinate

After the passing of his father in the year 5614 (1854), he filled his place as Admor and was the third Admor of the Kosov dynasty. Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon did not follow the custom of saying Divrei Torah (Torah discourses) during the tisch (festive table). Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon would study daily from the holy book *Ohev Yisrael* by Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt.

His Desire to Ascend to the Land of Israel

Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon wanted to move to and settle in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), as written in the will of his father, the Toras Chaim of Kosov, where his father bequeathed him his house in Tzfat. On one occasion, Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon met with Rabbi Shalom Rokeach of Belz (the Sar Shalom). When he spoke with him about his intention to move to the Land, Rabbi Shalom told him to remain in Kosov and not to ascend to the Land, and Rabbi Shalom of Belz added that even his father agreed to this.

His Passing and the Place of His Burial

Several years before his passing, Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon spoke about the matter of the impurity of the air of this world, adding that it is not worthwhile to utter a sound from one's mouth into this air. From then on, he ceased to speak, hinting that he was preparing for his passing.

On the bitter and distressing day of the 19th of Adar 5640 (1880), his soul ascended in a whirlwind to Heaven, to the great sorrow of all his Chassidim. His burial place was prepared in Kosov in the Ohel (burial structure) of his father, the Toras Chaim of Kosov, near the Ohel of his grandfather, the founder of the dynasty, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, the Ahavas Shalom of Kosov.

The Lineage

Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Kosov

Son of

Rabbi Chaim of Kosov - the Toras Chaim

Son of

Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kosov - the Ahavas Shalom

Son of

Rabbi Yaakov Koppel of Tyśmienica, who was the Shliach Tzibbur (cantor) for the holy Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov.