Abraham ben Samuel Cohen of Lask

Abraham ben Samuel Cohen of Lask was a prominent 18th-century Jewish activist who dedicated his life to the welfare of Polish Jews in Eretz Yisrael. In 1785, he relocated to Jerusalem, but soon embarked on a journey across Europe to collect donations for the Polish Jewish community, with Amsterdam serving as his primary base of operations. His tireless efforts as an agent for this cause reflect his deep commitment to the Jewish community.

As a devout ascetic, Abraham ben Samuel Cohen of Lask led a life of remarkable austerity, marked by intense spiritual discipline. He fasted for six days of the week, reserving the Sabbath for luxurious feasting. His devotion to the study of the Torah was unwavering, often spending entire days and nights immersed in its teachings, standing upright for extended periods. Despite his austere lifestyle, he possessed uncommon physical vigor. Abraham's life came to a tragic end, with accounts suggesting he died in Safed, either as a result of a riot sparked by protests against excessive taxation or as a punishment by the Turks, with his final resting place in Safed, where he was buried in 1799.