Abraham Isaac Ḥazak

Abraham Isaac Ḥazak (Fortis) was born in Italy. A trained physician and a scholar, he arrived in Poland around 1690, where he lived in a number of locations, among them Lvov, Rzeszów, and Leżajsk. Ḥazak served as physician to Polish nobles, one of whom endeavored to persuade him to convert to Christianity, but well versed in Christian theology, he refused. Ḥazak was deeply involved in Jewish communal affairs over a lengthy period. He served as parnas (community leader) of the Council of Four Lands between 1726 and 1730. During that time, he provided this authorization for Berekhiah (Berakh) Getzel, allowing the latter to preach wherever he wished without the need to obtain permission from the local rabbi.