Rabbi Yitzchak Dubov

He was one of the Chabad rabbis of the previous generation and served as a rabbi in Manchester, England.

Life History

Born to a Chabad family, to his father Rabbi Avraham Dov, in Yakshitz province near the town of Bobruisk on 7 Menachem Av 5646. During the years 5661-5667 (1901-1907), he studied in Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch. He was among those close to the Gaon of Rogatchov while being near the city of Dvinsk and even received 'Smicha' from the Gaon.

For years, he served as rabbi in Penza and in Findele near Moscow.

In 5681 (1921), he moved to Riga where he served as rabbi in one of the study halls in the "Russian Minyanim." In 5688 (1928), he moved from Riga to Manchester, England, where he served as rabbi for fifty years.

After the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Dubov was among the first Chassidim who connected with all their heart and soul to the Rebbe, and his letters to his friends and family during that period are full of Chassidic feelings, encouragement, and persuasion for Chassidim to accept the leadership of "The Ramash" whom he knew from his days in Riga. The Communist regime persecuted him for his involvement in matters of shechita, milah, and Torah study. During this period, he went into hiding and was searched for, finally managing to escape with his family from Riga to England.

He passed away in Manchester on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av 5738 (1978), and was buried in the local cemetery. Shortly before his passing, he told one of anash that he was going to Olam Haba with two merits in his hand: [1] His extensive involvement and assistance to the famous activist Rabbi Mordechai Dubin in Riga in activities to free the Frierdiker Rebbe on 12-13 Tammuz 5687; [2] His involvement in 5710 (1950) that the Rebbe should become Rebbe...

He was a musician who knew many Chabad nigunim, several of which were recorded from him in Sefer HaNigunim.

Family

• His eldest daughter Chana Gurevitch
• His daughter Rachel Maharik
• His son, R' Avraham DovBer Dubov - passed away on 7 Cheshvan 5767
• His son, R' Yehuda Leib Dubov - Crown Heights
• His daughter, Rebbetzin Breina Salamo
• His son Shalom Dubov - killed Al Kiddush Hashem in the Holocaust in Telz
• His son Rabbi Shneur Zalman Yosef Iloni (Dubov), who was Chief Rabbi of Dublin and Ireland
• His daughter Sarah, wife of Rabbi Isaac Maslow - passed away Yom Kippur 5750
• His daughter Leah, wife of Rabbi Aryeh Reichman - passed away 5772

Further Reading

• Yosef Ashkenazi, Otzar HaChassidim - Personalities and Chassidic Teachings of Chabad Mashpi'im Worldwide, published by Chazak, 5774
• A Chassidishe Derher Issue 77, Shevat 5779