R' Yechiel Michel Rabinowitz, A.B.D. Lechovitz (Lyakhavichy) and Stutchin (Shchuchyn), Author of Afikei Yam

Author of Afikei Yam published in Vilna in 1905.

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R. Yechiel Michel Rabinowitz, author of Afikei Yam, a most outstanding Torah scholar and Torah figure in Lithuania. Born in Slutsk. He gained renown in the yeshiva word for his profound and brilliant understanding. Following his wedding to the daughter of the wealthy R. Avraham Kaplan of Lechovitz (Lyakhavichy), he devoted himself to Torah study and worship of G-d in Lechovitz and later in Baranovich, earning an ample living from forest trade. During this time, he composed part I of his book Afikei Yam (Vilna, 1905), which earned him worldwide fame. He was one of the founders of the Ohel Torah yeshiva in Baranovich and editor of Maasaf Ohel Torah, a Torah anthology. He was closely connected to the Chafetz Chaim and was one of his confidants in matters of communal leadership and charity enterprises. After he lost his fortune, he was compelled to undertake a rabbinic position in 1926, and served as rabbi of Lechovitz and Stutchin (Shchuchyn). In his preface to part II of Afikei Yam, which was published in 1935, he relates how following "the world war which wrought havoc on the countries, to society in general and to the individual… it affected me very badly as well, and I lost my entire vast fortune, and I fell greatly, to the extent I was compelled to undertake the burden… of a rabbinic position… and thank G-d I did not submit to the counsel of my inclination, and I refused to accept the positions offered to me in large, prominent communities, and I chose the lesser of two evils…". He writes regretfully of the troubles his position entails, and the disparity between the two parts of the book – the first part was composed while he was serenely devoted to Torah study and worship of G-d, whereas the second part was authored amidst his preoccupation with his rabbinic duties.
R. Yechiel Michel perished in the Holocaust together with his community in Stutchin, presumably in 1941. His son R. Yitzchak Rabinowitz Rabbi of Volkovysk also perished in the Holocaust, together with his family and community. (Source)

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Became Rabbi in Stutchin in 1928 (Source)

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