Chazon Ish
Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz
Rabbi Karelitz was one of the leading Lithuanian Torah scholars and prominent halachic authorities of the 20th century. He was a key figure in shaping the path of Haredi Judaism in the Land of Israel.
Although the Chazon Ish did not hold an official rabbinic position, his Torah works were widely utilized, both in Talmudic interpretation and in halachic rulings and legal decisions.
“Sha’arei Yosher”
Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Shkop
Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Shkop was born in 1860 (5620) and passed away on the 9th of Cheshvan, 5700 (1939). He served as the head of the Sha’ar HaTorah Yeshiva in Grodno.
Rabbi Shkop developed a unique approach within the classical Eastern European style of Torah study, expressed in his book Sha’arei Yosher. This method is characterized by a logical and legal analysis of fundamental halachic principles, with less emphasis on local pilpul (intricate argumentation).
“Shomrei Emunim”
Rabbi Avraham Chaim Roth
Born on the 14th of Adar, 5684 (February 19, 1924) – Passed away on the 5th of Elul, 5772 (August 22, 2012).
He was the first Rebbe of the Shomrei Emunim Hasidic dynasty.
After his passing, he was referred to as “HaChukei Chaim.”
Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian
Rabbi Lopian was born in 1876 (5637) and passed away on the 20th of Elul, 5730 (September 21, 1970). He was born in Lomza, Lithuania, and was one of the most prominent rabbis in the Mussar Movement of the 20th century.
He became renowned for his efforts in promoting the Mussar Movement and as a leading figure within it. In his later years, he moved to Jerusalem, where he gave lectures in various yeshivas.
“The Rogatchover”
Rabbi Yosef Rosen
Rabbi Yosef Rosen was born in 1858 (5618) and passed away on the 11th of Adar I, 5696 (1936). He was known by the title “The Rogatchover” after his birthplace, Rogachev.
Rabbi Rosen was a brilliant Torah scholar and a follower of Chabad. He authored the Tzafnat Paneach commentaries on the Rambam (Maimonides) and was renowned for his extensive knowledge of both Jewish and secular wisdom.
“The Holy Cobbler”
Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Rabikov
Rabbi Rabikov, known as “The Holy Cobbler” and referred to simply as “The Cobbler,” was born in 1873 (5633) and passed away on the 22nd of Tishrei, 5727 (October 6, 1966).
He was a Kabbalist and a hidden tzaddik who lived in Jaffa. To support himself, he worked as a shoemaker in the Shabazi neighborhood. Rabbi Kook testified that he was one of the 36 hidden righteous people of the generation, and many sought his blessings.
“The Berachat Shmuel”
Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz
Rabbi Leibowitz was born in 1870 (5630) and passed away on the 5th of Kislev, 5700 (November 27, 1939). He became the head of the “Knesset Bnei Yitzchak” Yeshiva and was also the Rosh Yeshiva of the Kaminetz Yeshiva. He passed away in Vilna and was buried there.
He is named after his book Berachat Shmuel (The Blessing of Samuel).
“The Nazir Rabbi”
Rabbi David Yehuda Aryeh Leib Cohen
Rabbi Cohen was born in 1887 and passed away in 1972. He adopted the practices of Nazirism, refraining from cutting his hair, shaving, drinking wine, eating meat, and sometimes even speaking. He studied at the Volozhin Yeshiva.
Rabbi Cohen was exposed to the literature of the Haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment) and absorbed the teachings of the Mussar movement.
Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook
Rabbi Kook was born on the 16th of Elul, 5625 (September 7, 1856) and passed away on the 3rd of Elul, 5695 (September 1, 1935).
He was born in Latvia and was one of the greatest Torah scholars and spiritual leaders in Judaism. Rabbi Kook served as the head of the Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, a halachic authority, and was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel.
He was a halachic decisor, a Kabbalist, a philosopher, a poet, and a leader in the Land of Israel in his generation. He is commonly referred to as “HaRav Kook” or simply “The Rav.”
“HaRatzia”
Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook
Rabbi Kook was born on the 15th of Nisan, 5651 (April 24, 1891) and passed away on the 14th of Adar, 5742 (March 9, 1982).
He was the head of the Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and one of the spiritual leaders of Religious Zionism.
Rabbi Kook was a strong and committed Zionist.
Rabbi Zvi Pesach Frank
The Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and one of the prominent halachic authorities of the previous generation. He was born on the 21st of Tevet, 5633 (1873), and passed away on the 1st of Kislev, 5721 (December 10, 1960).
Rabbi Frank grew up learning in the great yeshivot of Europe and later served in the rabbinical court of the Old Yishuv in Jerusalem. He dedicated his home to the Haganah and began focusing on clarifying the laws of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld
Rabbi Zonnenfeld was born on the 6th of Kislev, 5609 (1849), and passed away on the 19th of Adar II, 5692 (1932). He was one of the founders of the Edah HaChareidis in Jerusalem and served as its first chief rabbi. Rabbi Sonnenfeld was a leader of the ultra-Orthodox (Chareidi) community and headed the “God-fearing” circles.
“The Sabba of Slabodka”
Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel
Rabbi Finkel was born in 1849 and passed away on the 29th of Shevat, 5687 (1927).
Known as “The Sabba of Slabodka” (in Yiddish, “Der Alter”), he founded the Slabodka Yeshiva and was one of the leaders of the Mir Yeshiva. Rabbi Finkel was also a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages) of the “Degel HaTorah” movement.
Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri – “Senior of the Kabbalists”
Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri was born on the 16th of Tishrei, 5659 (October 2, 1898), and passed away on the 29th of Tevet, 5766 (January 21, 2006).
He was one of the greatest Kabbalists of previous generations and was recognized as the Senior of the Kabbalists. Rabbi Kaduri was deeply knowledgeable in the mystical and inner dimensions of the Torah. He was known for his humility, simplicity, and love for the Jewish people.
The Mahar”a of Belz – Rabbi Aharon Rokeach
Rabbi Aharon Rokeach was born in Elul 5640 (1880) and passed away on the 20th of Av, 5717 (1957).
Known as the Rebbe of Belz or the Mahar”a of Belz, he was a righteous and holy leader, serving as the fourth Rebbe in the Belz Hasidic dynasty and the founder of the Hasidic community in Israel. The Rebbe managed to escape Europe with his brother Mordechai (the father of the current Rebbe) thanks to the help of his followers. Tragically, he lost his wife and all his children during the Holocaust in Europe.
Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Elyach
Rabbi Elyach was born in 1860 and passed away in 1951. He was a rabbi, matchmaker, and community activist. Born in Tiberias, he organized support from American Jews for the residents of the Old Yishuv in the Land of Israel.
A Breslov Hasid pours out his heart before his Creator.
According to the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, since the foundation of creation is a will without form, change, and not a necessary law, it is clear that a person has the ability to change reality.
The primary tool for changing reality is prayer, which is self-nullification and devotion to the Infinite.
Torah Scholar
A Jew studies the holy scriptures.
Farbrengen
A Farbrengen (in Yiddish: Farbrengen) is the term commonly used in Chabad Hasidic tradition for a gathering of Hasidim that combines words of Torah, Chassidic stories, raising a toast (“Lechaim”), and communal singing of nigunim (melodies).
From the Immigrants of “Operation Magic Carpet”
Operation Magic Carpet is the name given to the immigration of Yemeni and Adeni Jews to Israel as part of the mass aliyah operations to evacuate Jewish communities in 1949 and 1950. The operation was also called Operation Messiah’s Coming and On the Wings of Eagles, based on Exodus 19:4:
“And I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me.”
Contemplation
Klezmer Musicians
Hasidic Dance