"We know the dedication of your father the Gaon (Rav Kook) in favor of every jewish soul" a historic letter from ...

"We know the dedication of your father the Gaon (Rav Kook) in favor of every jewish soul" a historic letter from The Admo"r Rabbi Yechezkel HaLevi of Ostrovtza - together with his son R. Yaakov Halevi Halstock to Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook

The Admo"r Rabbi Yechezkel HaLevi of Ostrovtza [1887-1943] was the second Admo"r of Ostrovtza, son of Rabbi Yechiel Meir, who, as is known, fasted 40 successive years to prevent the Holocaust (tzaddikim of the generation compared him to the tanna Rabbi Tzaddok who fasted 40 successive years to prevent the destruction of the Temple, in Tractate Gittin.) Rabbi Yechezkel was perfect in the revealed and hidden [aspects of Torah], thousands of his Chassidim and admirers flocked to his home. He was one of the most prominent Admo"rs in Poland. As is known, the Nazis, may their names be obliterated, especially sought out rabbinic leaders: In 1943, the Gestapo demanded that Rabbi Yechezkel be turned in, or else 200 of the town's Jews would be burned. In response, the Rebbe said, "Better that I be the community's sacrifice than the reverse." He immersed in a mikveh and recited selichot and vidui at dawn. On the tenth of Tevet, at nine o'clock in the morning, the Nazis came and shot him to death. Most of his writings were lost in the Holocaust; the few that survived were published under the name Kodshei Yechezkel.

The holy R. Yaakov Halevi Halstock, son of Rebbe Yechezkel of Ostrowiec, and son-in-law of R. Nathan Nachum Hakohen Rabinowitz, Rebbe of Krimilow-Radomsko, was rabbi of Ostrowiec, where his father served as Rebbe. He was killed during the Holocaust with his wife Leah and their entire family.