Yosef Yaakov Sabatka

Yosef Yaakov (Yoske)[1] Sabatka[2] (Hebrew: הרב יוסף יאסקי) was a Torah scholar, moralist and Kabbalist; he is often referred to as "Yosef Yoske of Dubno" (or "Joseph ben Judah Jeidel").[3] He was born in Lublin in 1659, son of the Av Beit Din and Kabbalist, Yehuda Yudel of Kovel.[1][4] He was known for his piety, and served as Rabbi for the region of Minsk, and later, in 1698, became Av Beit Din of Dubno; he died there in 1702. Amongst his students is Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kaidanover, author of Kav ha-Yashar.[3]

Tombstone of Yosef Yoske

Biographical information displayed on obverse

Rabbi Yosef Yoske is the author of two works - "Yesod Yosef" and "Ne'ima Kedosha" - and is often referred to by those titles:[1]

• Yesod Yosef[5] is an ethical work, infused with the Kabbalistic teachings of the Ari.[6] It was first printed in Shklov in 1785.[7]
• Ne'ima Kedosha[8] is a Shabbat zemer (poem) - with commentary and teachings - composed by Yosef Yoske; the work also lists recommended behaviors and customs.