Rabbi Leibel Rakover

http://www.ics.uci.edu/~dan/genealogy/Krakow/Families/Rakower.html

Notes about his son: Notes by Roman Rakower Z"L:

"The following story was preserved and perpetuated in the Zenwirth family of Jerusalem from generation to generation nd shared with me by rabbi Josef Zenwirth:

Our ancestor; Rabbi Eliakim Getzel Rakower ( was using only the name "Getzel" )

was a very wealthy man. He was one of the few bankers in Krakow, In the late 17th century and beginning of the 18th century, only coins were used as means of monetary exchange. Rabbi Getzel Rakower was conducting his banking business from his house. In one of the rooms he had 3 sacks with coins; one was with gold coins, another with silver coined and the third with copper coins. He was well known all around for his philanthropy and opened his hands for the needy.

When someone came and asked for help to a young poor bride who needs a dowry in order to get married, he would go to the sack of the gold coins and donate some coins.

If he would be ask to donated to the poor , sick , widows or orphans, he will donate from the sack of the silver coins.

When a member of a poor family asked for donation to put food on the table for the coming Sabbath, he would go to the sack of the copper coins....

He was very respected and a righteous man and he left a beautiful legacy and shining example of conduct, for his many descendants..."

Leibel Rakover Immediate Family: Father of Gezel Rakover

Added by: Moshe Goldberg on January 2, 2011