Biographical Dictionary of Rabbis

This dictionary is meant to be used as a quick reference to lookup the names of Rabbis, the time and place they lived, and the books they authored.

Titles of Books

Aruch Hashulchan

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Halevi Epstein (1829-1908). He was a community rabbi and a posek in Novardok, Lithuania.

Bach

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes (1561-1640), Rav and Rosh Yeshiva in Poland, author of the bach, the bayit chadash, a commentary on the Tur as well as the Haghot Habach on gemara. Father-in-law of the Taz.

Baer Heitev

Rabbi Yehuda Ashkenazi (1730-1770), Rabbi in Germany, author of Baer Heitev on SA OC and EH.

Beer Moshe

Rabbi Moshe Stern (1914-1997), also known as the Debrecziner Rav, author of Sh"t Beer Moshe as well as Kuntres HaElectric on the halachic issues of electricity, Rav in Hungary and later moved to New York. Brother of Rav Betzalel Stern

Beit Yosef

Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575), also know as Maran or as the Michaber, the main halachic authority especially for sephardic, author of Kessef Mishne on Rambam, Beit Yosef on Tur, and the Shulchan Aruch.

Ben Ish Chai

Rabbi Yosef Chaim (1832 – 1909) was a leading Sephardic Rabbi, author of the Ben Ish Chai as well as Sh"t Rav Pealim, and Rabbi of Baghdad.

Beur Hagra

Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, the Gra (1720-1797), Lithuanian talmid chacham. Author of aderet eliyahu on torah, beur hagra on SA, Haghot hagra on gemara.

Chatam Sofer

Rabbi Moshe Sofer (1762-1839), Born in germany, Rabbi in hungary.

Chayei Adam

Rabbi Avraham Danzig of Vilna (1748-1820). Author of the Chayei Adam dealing with the laws of Orach Chaim as well as the Chochmat Adam, dealing with the other areas of Shulchan Aruch that apply to daily life.

Chavot Daat

Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum of Lisa (1759-1832). Rav in Lissa, Poland. Author of the Chavot Daat on Yoreh Deah, the Netivot Hamishpat on Choshen Mishpat, the Torat Gittin on Even Haezer, and the Mekor Chaim and Derech Chaim on Orach Chaim. Grandson of the Chacham Tzvi.

Chelkat Mechokek

Rabbi Moshe Lima (1605-1685), author of chelkat mechokek, commentary on EH, major halachic authority in Lithuania.

Chida

Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai ben Isaac Zerachia (1724 – 1806) was a Jerusalem born Sephardic rabbinical scholar. He is the author of Machzik Bracha, Birkei Yosef, Shem HaGedolim and many other books.

Hamoadim Bihalacha

Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin (1888-1978), founder and chief editor of Encyclopedia Talmudit, born in Europe but moved to Israel, author of Hamoadim Biahalacha and Latorah Vilamoaadim.

Iggerot Moshe

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), Lithuanian Rav who became one of the leading authorities of his generation in North America, author of Sh"t Iggerot Moshe, Dibrot Moshe on Gemara, and Darash Moshe on the Torah.

Kessef Mishne

: Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575), also know as Maran or as the Michaber, the main halachic authority especially for sephardic, author of Kessef Mishne on Rambam, Beit Yosef on Tur, and the Shulchan Aruch.

Ketzot Hachoshen

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller Hakohen (1745-1813). Author of Ketzot Hachoshen on SA CM, Avnei Miluim on EH and Shev Shamytsa on the gemara. Brother of the Kuntres Hasfekos.

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886), Hungarian posek and rabbi in Ungvar, author of the Kitzur S"A.

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rabbi Rafael Baruch Toledano

Rabbi Rafael Baruch Toledano (1890 - 1970) was the Rabbi of Meknes, Morocco and author of a compendium of Sephardic Halacha and Moroccan minhagim in a book titled Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

Lechem Mishneh

Rabbi Avraham de Boton (1545-1588), author of lechem Mishneh on the Rambam, Rav in Salonica, Greece.

Machatzit Hashekel

Rabbi Shmuel Kelin Halevi (1724-1806), author of machatzit hashekel on the Magen Avraham.

Magen Avraham

Rabbi Avraham Gombiner Halevi (1637-1683), Rav in poland, author of Magen Avraham on SA OC.

Menuchat Ahava

Rabbi Moshe Halevi (1961-2001), major Sephardic posek in Israel, author of Menuchat Ahava on halachot of Shabbat as well as Birkat Hashem on halachot of Berachot.

Minchat Shlomo

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995), one of the leading halachic authorities of his generation, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Torah in Yerushalayim, author of Sh"t Minchat Shlomo, Minchat Shlomo on gemara, Meorei Esh on electricity in Halacha, Maadanei Eretz on agricultural halacha. His rulings are predominantly quoted in Halichot Shlomo, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchita and Nishmat Avraham.

Minchat Yitzchak

Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (1902-1989), dayan and posek, Rav and Av Beit Din in Romania, then in Manchester, England. Headed the Eidah Charedis in Yerushalayim, author of Sh"t Minchat Yitzchak.

Mishna Brurah

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838 – 1933), known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim from his book on the laws of Lashon Hara, was an influential Lithuanian Rabbi, author of the Mishna Brurah as well as the Beur Halacha which is in more detail and the Shaar Hatziyun which quotes sources

Mishne Lamelech

Rabbi Yehuda Rosannes (1657-1727), Rabbi of Constantinople, Author of Mishna Lamelech on the Mishne Torah.

Mishne Torah

Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, the Rambam (1135 - 1204). Born in Spain, was one of the foremost Jewish philosophers with his Moreh Nevuchim. He also wrote a commentary on the Mishnayot as well as a fourteen volume code of law, called Mishne Torah, sometimes referred to as Yad Hachazaka.

Mishpatei Uziel

Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Chai Uziel (1880-1953), sephardic chief Rabbi of Israel from 1939-1954, author of Sh"t Mishpatei Uziel, and Shaarei Uziel.

Noda Biyehuda

Rabbi Yechezkel Landau Halevi (1713-1794), European Rabbi, Author of Noda Biyehuda, the tzlach (tziyun linefesh chayah) on gemara, and the dagul merivava on the SA.

Or Litzion

Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul (1924-1988), one of the leading sephardic rabbis and halachic authorities of his generation, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef in Yerushalayim, author of Sh"t Or Litzion.

Pitchei Teshuva

Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Hirsch Eisenstadt (1813-1868), Rabbi in Utian, Russia.

Pri Chadash

Rabbi Chizkiya da Silva (1659-1698), born in Italy but lived much of his life in Israel. Author of Pri Chadash on SA.

Pri Megadim

Rabbi Yosef Teomim (1727-1792), Galician Rabbi, Author of Pri Megadim: Mishbetzot Zahav on the Taz, Eshel Avraham on the Magen Avraham, and Siftei Daat on the Shach. Also author of Porat Yosef on yevamot and ketubot as well as ginat veradim on gemara.

Rama

Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1525-1572), Rabbi in Cracow, Poland, major ashkenazic halachic authority. Author of Darkei Moshe on the Tur, Sh"t Harama a set of responsa, and most famously the haghot on the SA.

Salmat Chaim

Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld (1848-1932), Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, founder of Eidah Hacharedis, author of Sh"t Salmat Chaim.

Shaagas Aryeh

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ginzberg (1695-1785), Lithuanian Rav and author of Sh"t Shaagas Aryeh.

Shaare Teshuva

Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Margaliot (Mid 18th century-1818). Polish Rabbi most famous for his commentary on the Shulchan Aruch called Shaare Teshuva.

Shach

Rabbi Shabbtai Hacohen (1621-1663), author of the Shach, the Siftei Kohen, on SA YD and CM. Was forced to leave Vilna due to persecution and.

Shulchan Aruch

Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575), also know as Maran or as the Michaber, the main halachic authority especially for sephardic, author of Kessef Mishne on Rambam, Beit Yosef on Tur, and the Shulchan Aruch.

Shulchan Aruch HaRav

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady (1745 – 1812), was the first Rebbe of Chabad and author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and the Tanya.

Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata

Rabbi Yehoshua Yeshaya Neuwirth (1935-), posek in Yerushalayim, author of Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata on the laws of Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Sma

Rabbi Yehoshua Falk Hakohen (1550-1614), Posek and Rosh Yeshiva in Poland, author of Sma, sefer meirat eynayim on Shulchan Aruch.

Sridei Eish

Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (1884-1966), German Posek and Rosh Yeshiva, author of Sridei Eish, a set of responsa.

Taz

Rabbi David Halevi (1586-1667), Rav and Rosh Yeshiva in Poland, author of Taz, the Turei Zahav, on SA, son-in-law of the Bach.

Yaarot Dvash

Rabbi Yonatan Eibeshitz (1690-1764), Rabbi in Germany, author of Yaarot Devash, Kreti U'pleti on YD, Urim Vitumim on CM.

Yalkut Yosef

Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef (b. 1952), son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, is the author of Yalkut Yosef, which is a encyclopedic work of Sephardic halacha.

Names of Rabbis

Rabbi Akiva Eiger

Rabbi Akiva Eiger (1761-1837), author of tosfot rabbi akiva eiger on mishnayot, gilyon hashas on the side margin of the traditional gemara, chiddushei rabbi akiva eiger, and three volumes of teshuvot rabbi akiva eiger.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ginzberg

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ginzberg (1695-1785), Lithuanian Rav and author of Sh"t Shaagas Aryeh.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller Hakohen

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller Hakohen (1745-1813). Author of Ketzot Hachoshen on SA CM, Avnei Miluim on EH and Shev Shamytsa on the gemara. Brother of the Kuntres Hasfekos.

Rabbi Avraham Danzig

Rabbi Avraham Danzig of Vilna (1748-1820). Author of the Chayei Adam dealing with the laws of Orach Chaim as well as the Chochmat Adam, dealing with the other areas of Shulchan Aruch that apply to daily life.

Rabbi Avraham de Boton

Rabbi Avraham de Boton (1545-1588), author of lechem Mishneh on the Rambam, Rav in Salonica, Greece.

Rabbi Avraham Gombiner

Rabbi Avraham Gombiner Halevi (1637-1683), Rav in poland, author of Magen Avraham on SA OC.

Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Hirsch Eisenstadt

Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Hirsch Eisenstadt (1813-1868), Rabbi in Utian, Russia. Authored of Pitchei Teshuva on YD, CM, and EH as well as on the sefer, Gittin Ve’chalitza, and Nachalat Shiva on works of early Acharonim.

Rabbi Ben-Zion Abba Shaul

Rabbi Ben-Zion Abba Shaul (1924-1988), one of the leading sephardic rabbis and halachic authorities of his generation, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef in Yerushalayim, author of Sh"t Or Litzion.

Rabbi Bez-zion Meir Chai Uziel

Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Chai Uziel (1880-1953), sephardic chief Rabbi of Israel from 1939-1954, author of Sh"t Mishpatei Uziel, and Shaarei Uziel.

Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Margaliot

Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Margaliot(Mid 18th century-1818). Polish Rabbi most famous for his commentary on the Shulchan Aruch called Shaare Teshuva

Rabbi Chaim Yosef David

Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai ben Isaac Zerachia (1724 – 1806) was a Jerusalem born Sephardic rabbinical scholar. He is the author of Machzik Bracha, Birkei Yosef, Shem HaGedolim and many other books.

Rabbi Chizkiya da Silva

Rabbi Chizkiya da Silva (1659-1698), born in Italy but lived much of his life in Israel. Author of Pri Chadash on SA.

Rabbi David Halevi

Rabbi David Halevi (1586-1667), Rav and Rosh Yeshiva in Poland, author of Taz, the Turei Zahav, on SA, son-in-law of the Bach.

Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna

Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, the Gra or the Vilna Gaon (1720-1797), Lithuanian talmid chacham. Author of aderet eliyahu on torah, beur hagra on SA, Haghot hagra on gemara.

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon

Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, the Rambam (1135 - 1204). Born in Spain, was one of the foremost Jewish philosophers with his Moreh Nevuchim. He also wrote a commentary on the Mishnayot as well as a fourteen volume code of law, called Mishne Torah, sometimes referred to as Yad Hachazaka.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), Lithuanian Rav who became one of the leading authorities of his generation in North America, author of Sh"t Iggerot Moshe, Dibrot Moshe on Gemara, and Darash Moshe on the Torah.

Rabbi Moshe Halevi

Rabbi Moshe Halevi (1961-2001), major Sephardic posek in Israel, author of Menuchat Ahava on halachot of Shabbat as well as Birkat Hashem on halachot of Berachot.

Rabbi Moshe Isserles

Rabbi Moshe Isserles, the Rama, (1525-1572), Rabbi in Cracow, Poland, major ashkenazic halachic authority. Author of Darkei Moshe on the Tur, Sh"t Harama a set of responsa, and most famously the haghot on the SA.

Rabbi Moshe Lima

Rabbi Moshe Lima (1605-1685), author of chelkat mechokek, commentary on EH, major halachic authority in Lithuania.

Rabbi Moshe Sofer

Rabbi Moshe Sofer (1762-1839), Born in germany, Rabbi in hungary. Author of a commentary on torah, on the talmud and on the Shulchan Aruch as well as Teshuvot Chatam Sofer. Son in law of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and father of the ktav sofer.

Rabbi Moshe Stern

Rabbi Moshe Stern (1914-1997), also known as the Debrecziner Rav, author of Sh"t Beer Moshe as well as Kuntres HaElectric on the halachic issues of electricity, Rav in Hungary and later moved to New York. Brother of Rav Betzalel Stern

Rabbi Rafael Baruch Toledano

Rabbi Rafael Baruch Toledano (1890 - 1970) was the Rabbi of Meknes, Morocco and author of a compendium of Sephardic Halacha and Moroccan minhagim in a book titled Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

Rabbi Shabbtai Hacohen

Rabbi Shabbtai Hacohen (1621-1663), author of the Shach, the Siftei Kohen, on SA YD and CM. Was forced to leave Vilna due to persecution at the hands of the Cossacks.

Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried

Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886), Hungarian posek and rabbi in Ungvar. Author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch mostly on Orach Chaim as well as Lechem visimla on hilchot nidda.

Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin

Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin (1888-1978), founder and chief editor of Encyclopedia Talmudit, born in Europe but moved to Israel, author of Hamoadim Biahalacha and Latorah Vilamoaadim.

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995), one of the leading halachic authorities of his generation, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Torah in Yerushalayim, author of Sh"t Minchat Shlomo, Minchat Shlomo on gemara, Meorei Esh on electricity in Halacha, Maadanei Eretz on agricultural halacha. His rulings are predominantly quoted in Halichot Shlomo, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchita and Nishmat Avraham.

Rabbi Shmuel Kelin Halevi

Rabbi Shmuel Kelin Halevi (1724-1806), author of machatzit hashekel on the Magen Avraham.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady (1745 – 1812), was the first Rebbe of Chabad and author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and the Tanya.

Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum

Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum of Lisa (1759-1832). Rav in Lissa, Poland. Author of the Chavot Daat and the Netivot Hamishpat, commentaries of the Shulchan Aruch. Grandson of the Chacham Tzvi.

Rabbi Yechezkel Landau

Rabbi Yechezkel Landau Halevi (1713-1794), European Rabbi, Author of Noda Biyehuda, the tzlach (tziyun linefesh chayah) on gemara, and the dagul merivava on the SA.

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Halevi Epstein (1829-1908). He was a community rabbi and a posek in Novardok, Lithuania, author of the Aruch Hashulchan.

Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg

Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (1884-1966), German Posek and Rosh Yeshiva, author of Sridei Eish, a set of responsa.

Rabbi Yehoshua Falk

Rabbi Yehoshua Falk Hakohen (1550-1614), Posek and Rosh Yeshiva in Poland, author of Sma, sefer meirat eynayim on Shulchan Aruch.

Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth

Rabbi Yehoshua Yeshaya Neuwirth (1935-), posek in Yerushalayim, one of the foremost students of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, author of Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata on the laws of Shabbat and Yom Tov.

Rabbi Yehuda Ashkenazi

Rabbi Yehuda Ashkenazi (1730-1770), Rabbi in Germany, author of Baer Heitev on SA OC and EH.

Rabbi Yehuda Rosannes

Rabbi Yehuda Rosannes (1657-1727), Rabbi of Constantinople, Author of Mishna Lamelech on the Mishne Torah.

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838 – 1933), known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim from his book on the laws of Lashon Hara, was an influential Lithuanian Rabbi, author of the Mishna Brurah as well as the Beur Halacha which is in more detail and the Shaar Hatziyun which quotes sources.

Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss

Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (1902-1989), dayan and posek, Rav and Av Beit Din in Romania, then in Manchester, England. Headed the Eidah Charedis in Yerushalayim, author of Sh"t Minchat Yitzchak.

Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef

Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef (b. 1952), son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, is the author of Yalkut Yosef, which is a encyclopedic work of Sephardic halacha.

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes (1561-1640), Rav and Rosh Yeshiva in Poland, author of the bach, the bayit chadash, a commentary on the Tur as well as the Haghot HaBach on gemara. Father-in-law of the Taz.

Rabbi Yonatan Eibeshitz

Rabbi Yonatan Eibeshitz (1690-1764), Rabbi in Germany, author of Yaarot Devash, Kreti U'pleti on YD, Urim Vitumim on CM.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad

Rabbi Yosef Chaim (1832 – 1909) was a leading Sephardic Rabbi, Rabbi of Baghdad, author of the Ben Ish Chai and Sh"t Rav Pealim.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld

Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld (1848-1932), Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, founder of Eidah Hacharedis, author of Sh"t Salmat Chaim.

Rabbi Yosef Teomim

Rabbi Yosef Teomim (1727-1792), Galician Rabbi, Author of Pri Megadim: Mishbetzot Zahav on the Taz, Eshel Avraham on the Magen Avraham, and Siftei Daat on the Shach. Also author of Porat Yosef on yevamot and ketubot as well as ginat veradim on gemara.