Reb Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, the Chacham Tzvi (1660-1718); learned in Salinka at 14 years of age under Reb Eliyahu Covo; married the daughter of the Av Beis Din of Altuna-Hamburg- Wandsbeck (AHU) in 1689, and succeeded him in 1705; became Azhkenazi Rov of Amsterdam in 1710; went to Temishlev, Poland in 1714; then to Lemberg (Lvov); father of Reb Yaakov Emden.

Reb Avrohom of Slonim, the Beis Avraham (1889-1933), grandson of the founder of Slonimer Chasidus, the Chesed L’Avraham.

Reb Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg, known as the Rebbe Reb Shmelke (1726-1778). The firstborn son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Chortkov, Shmuel Shmelke traced his ancestry back to the Baal HaMaor and to Shmuel HaNavi. As a teenager, he and his brother Pinchas - who was to become the Ba’al HaFla’a of Frankfurt – would study bechavrusa; their chidushim were printed by Rav Pinchas in a kunterus called “Sheves Achim.” In their early years, Shmuel Shmelke and Pinchas studied Torah in nonchasidic Lithuanian yeshivos; but after traveling to Mezritch and meeting the Maggid, they became his ardent followers. After becoming a chasid, he became Rov of Ritchval, the site of his famous yeshiva that produced his many famous talmidim. After serving there for 10 years, he became Rov of Shinova. Then, in 1773, he was invited to become Rov of Nikolsburg in Moravia. Although he was there only 5 years, he made a powerful impact, an dhe remains associated with that city to this day. Among his disciples are the Chozeh of Lublin, Reb Menachem Mendel of Rymanov, Reb Yisrael of Koznitz, Reb Mordechai Banet and Reb Moshe Leib of Sassov. His homilies and novellae were published in Divrei Shmuel, and anthologies of his Torah thoughts were published under the titles Imrei Shmuel and Shemen Hatov. Please see the Photos of Holy Gravesite in Nikolsberg .

Reb Moshe Zakan Mazuz of Djerba (1915)

Liberation of 40,000 jewish prisoners at Bergen-Belsen by the British Army, 1945.

Choni Hama'agal , who performed many miracles

Reb Aryeh Leib Tzintz of Plotzk (1833)

Reb Yosef Teumim, author of Pri Megadim, on the Shulchan Aruch, (1727-1792). Pri Magodim is actually a 2-part commentary: (a) Mishbetzos Zahav on the Tur, and (b) Eishel Avraham on the Magen Avrohom.

Reb Yosef Dov Solevetchik of Brisk, father of Reb Chaim Solevetchik (1810-1892) see www.famousrabbis.com/ Brisker , Reb Yosef Dov Solevetchik of Brisk, the Beis Halevi, father of Reb Chaim Solevetchik. Born in Niesvizh, just outside of Minsk, he was the great-great grandson of Reb Yitzchak Solevitchik. Additionally, his grandfather, Reb Yosef, the Reb of Villiampol, was the son-in-law of Reb Chaim Volozhener. When Reb Yosef Dov was 11, his father asked his uncloe, Reb Itzele Volozhener to accept him into the Volozhiner Yeshiva. In 1853, he was invited to serve as Rosh Yeshiva at Telz. However, he was also invited to become co-Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin together with the Netziv in the same year, and he took the latter position. However, the arrangement did not work out, and after serving in the Yeshiva for ten years the Bais HaLevi felt it necessary to leave. In 1865 he became Reb of Slutzk. When Reb Yehoshua Leib Diskind left for Eretz Yisrael in 1878, the Beis Halevi was offered the rabbinate of Brisk. He remained there until his death, when his son Reb Chaim succeeded him. (1810-1892)

The RaMBaM, travelling by ship from Fez to Yerushalayiim in 1165 was caught in a storm. He prayed to HaShem, and accepted upon himself to fast on this day for the rest of his life. Some say that he sensed in advance the sefardic decrees of expulsion of jews from Spain on this day .

Reb Levi ben Gershon (RaLBaG), philosopher, and commentator on Chumash, 1344

The Famous Gaon Rabbi Dov Berish Zeitlyn of Vilna 5680 - 1920, see here for photos where he is buried in Edmonton London

Reb Yosef Meir Weiss, Admor of Spinka, disciple of Reb Isaac of Ziditchov and of Reb Chaim of Sanz (1838-1909)

Stropkover Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Halberstam 5715, Author of Divrei Menachem Har Hamenuchos Chelkas Harabonim, Son of Rabbi Avrohom Sholom Halberstam of Stropkov (whose yarzheit is 6th Teves)                                

Reb Shlomo Efraim of Luntchitz, author of Kli Yakar and Oilolos Efraim , Reb Shlomo Efraim was born in Lunchitz in Poland. He was a disciple of Reb Shlomo Luria (Maharshal), the famous talmudist and author of Yam Shel Shlomo. After leading the yeshivah in Lvov, Reb Shlomo Efraim was appointed Reb of Prague. He sat on the Beis Din of that city with Reb Yeshayah Horowitz (the "Shelah Ha'kadosh"). Among Reb Shlomo Efraim's prominent students was Reb Yom Tov Lipman Heller, author of the Mishnah commentary Tosfos Yom Tov. The Kli Yakar died in Prague, Bohemia, (1550-1619)

Reb Yeshaya Pick, author of Mesores Hashas

Reb Yerachmiel of Peshischa (1831)

Reb Moshe Mordecai of Trisk (1943)

Reb Refoel Levine, son of the famous tzaddik, Reb Aryeh Levine and the righteous Moras Tzipora Channah, the daughter of Reb A. D. Shapira, av beis din of Kovna. Reb Refoel studied in the Eitz Chaim Talmud Torah, and was very close to its rosh yeshiva, Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer. He continued his studies in the Chevron yeshiva in Yerushalayim and the Lomza yeshiva in Petach Tikvah, where he studied bechavrusa with Reb Reuven Katz, the Rov of Petach Tikva. He married the righteous Channah Liba, daughter of Reb Chaim Shraga Feivel Frank, the Rov of the Yemin Moshe neighborhood in Yerushalayim. After his marriage, he continued his studies in the Mirrer yeshiva under Reb Eliezer Yehuda Finkel. When the Beis Aryeh yeshiva opened, Reb Refoel's father, Reb Aryeh Levine asked him to serve as its menahel ruchani, a position he occupied until his final day. He was also a dayan in the beis din tzeddek of the Ashkenaz-Perushim community founded by Reb Shmuel Salant. (1925-2002)

Reb Yitzchak AlFasi (RiF), codifier of the Gemara, author of Sefer Hahalachos, 1103 see www.famousrabbis.com/rif . Reb Yitzchak Alfasi (RiF), codifier of the Gemara, author of Sefer Hahalachos (1013-1103). The period of the Geonim began in 589, and ended in 1038 with the petira of Rav Hai Gaon. Reb Chananel's father, Reb Chushiel Gaon, had set out from Bavel to collect funds for a needy bride and was seized by pirates. He was sold as a slave in Africa, but was later redeemed by the members of its Jewish communities. From Africa, he headed to Kairuan, where he became a rosh yeshiva. His son, Chananel, was born in Kairuan. A young student from the Algerian city of Kal'a asked to be admitted to Reb Chananel’s yeshiva. His name was Yitzchak Hakohen. As Reb Yitzchak advanced in his studies, he became keenly aware of the fact that many people were unable to elucidate the halacha from the Gemara due to the vast amount of material it contains. As a result, he conceived of the idea of compiling a comprehensive and extensive halachic work that would present all of the halachos and the practical conclusions of the Gemara in a clear, definitive manner. To achieve this goal, he retreated to his father-in-law's attic, where he worked on his sefer for 10 consecutive years. During this period, however, a Moslem tyrant gained control of Tunisia, and persecuted all those who did not accept his faith, especially the Jews of Kairuan. As a result, all of the city's Jewish residents fled to places controlled by the Elmuhides, who were more tolerant of the Jews. Among the fugitives was Reb Yitzchak who, with his wife and two children, moved to the Moroccan city of Fez. Rav Yitzchak remained in Fez for 40 years, during which time he completed his Sefer Ha'halachos, which is considered the first fundamental work in halachic literature. Eventually, he became known as Rav Yitzchak Alfasi, or the Rif. Rav Yitzchak was niftar at the age of 90 in 1103. He was succeeded by the Ri mi'Gaash.

Reb Dovid of Tolna, son of Reb Mordechai of Chernobyl. His works include Magen David. There is a Tolner Shul in Safed even today. (1808-1882)

Reb Hillel Lichtenstein of Kalamei, in the Ukraine. His children settled in Meah Sh'arim, Jerusalem. (1814-1891)

Reb Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, author of Ayalah Sheluchah and Zera Kodesh, (1760-1827) . When Reb Naftali decided to join the chassidic movement he chose Reb Elimelech of Lizensk as his mentor. He subsequently became a dedicated chasid of the "three patriarchs:" the Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Koznitz, and Reb Menachem Mendel of Rymanov. Foremost among his talmidim is Reb Chaim of Sanz.

Reb Aharon Pfeffer, rov in South Africa

Reb Yitzchak of Radwill, son of Reb Yechiel Michel, the Zlotchover Maggid (1832)

Rav Masoud bar Yaakov Abuchatzera, the father of the Baba Sali see www.famousrabbis.com

Rebbe Meir Baal Haness (121 CE) see our new page with many photos of the TOMB and gravesite in Tiberias Israel, also with a link to the famous Reb Meir Baal Haness Charity, Rebbe Meir Baal Haness (121 CE) was a descendant of a convert to Judaism, ( just like Rabbi Akiva ancesters were also converts to Judaism ) Rebbe Meir was a talmid of Rebbi Akiva, as well as Rabbi Yishmael (Jerusalem Talmud Sotta 2:4), and Elisha ben Avuyah. There are 335 halachos are mentioned in the Mishnah with Rabbi Meir's explanations. His wife was the famous wise woman, Beruriah. She advised him wisely when neighboring wicked people disturbed him (Berachot 10a), and when their two sons died she broke the news gently and comforted him. He was one of the five scholars ordained by R' Yehudah ben Bava during the persecutions following the Bar Kochva revolt (Sanhedrin 14). Rabbi Meir was buried in Teveria.

Please see The Meir Baal Haness charity at "chibasjerusalem.com/index.htm"

Reb Nesanel Weill, author of Korban Nesanel

Reb Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira of Mogelnitz (1849). He was raised and taught by his maternal grandfather, the Koznitzer Maggid. He married the granddaughter of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lyzhinsk. He was also the disciple of four leading figures of his generation: the rebbes of Lublin, Pesichah, Apta, and Ruzhin.

Reb Meir of Lublin, author of Maharam on Shas, 1616

Reb Yechiel Michel Feinstein, born to Reb Avrohom Yitzchok on 4 Tammuz in Uzda, Lithuania. At the age of seven Yechiel Michel lost his father and went to live with his grandfather, Reb Dovid Feinstein, the rov of Stravin, Byelorussia. There he learned with his grandfather and uncles, Reb Moshe and Reb Mordechai. After his bar mitzvah he traveled to Slutsk to learn under Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer. When the Bolsheviks arrived, the yeshiva was forced to flee Lithuania, to Kletsk, Poland. There, he continued his studies with Reb Meltzer and Reb Aharon Kotler. After three years, he moved to Mir to learn with Yeruchom Leibovitz. He also learned in Brisk, Grodno, and Vilna. He escaped Europe for America in 1941, traveling together with Reb Aharon Kotler. Upon his arrival he opened a yeshiva in Boston for the talmidim of Yeshivas Mir. Six months later his uncle, Reb Moshe Feinstein, summoned Reb Yechiel Michel to serve at his side as head of Yeshivas Tiferes Yerushalayim in New York. He was to spend the next sixty years there. During a brief trip to Eretz Yisroel in 1946, he married a daughter of the Brisker Rov, Lifsha. (1906-2003)

Reb Yechezkel Landau, the Noda Beyehuda (1713-1793). Born in Apta, Poland, learned and served in Brody, then Prague. He also wrote Dagul Meirevavah on the Shulchan Aruch. see www.famousrabbis.com/ Noda B Yehuda

Reb Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sadlikov, grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, author of Degel Machaneh Efraim, (1748-1800). He was born and died in Medzibosh, and his grave is next to that of the Baal Shem Tov. His brother was the famous Rabbi Baruch of Medzibosh. After the Baal Shem Tov's passing, Moshe Chaim studied under the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye, the author of Toledos Yaakov Yosef.

Reb Pinchas of Ostila Twerski. The son of Reb Mordechai of Rachmistrivka, both of Reb Pinchas’s parents were descendants of the Baal Shem Tov’s greatest talmidim – Reb Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl (on his father’s side) and Reb Pinchas of Koritz (on his mother’s side). After marrying Chana Rochel, the daughter of Reb Yissocher Dov of Belz, Reb Pinchas settled and learned in Blez for 23 years. In 1923, he became the Reb of Ostilla, and after a few years he moved to P’shemish. Reb Pinchas was deported to the Belzec Extermination Camp on the 17th of Iyar in 1943. Close to one million Jews were murdered at Belzec; it is lesser known that other camps since almost no one survived to tell of it. No one knows exactly when Reb Pinchas was niftar, so his yarzheits was established on the same day as that of his father. The only member of his family to survive the war was his daughter, who married Reb Yaakov Yosef of Skver. Together, they built Kiryas Skver and the Skverer Torah institutions (1880-1943).

Reb Mordechai of Rachmistrivka (1920)

Reb Moshe Isserles (the ReMA), on the Shulchan Aruch (1520-1572) . Born and died in Cracow, Poland. He composed glosses on those paragraphs of the Shulchan Aruch in which he differs from the author, stating the Halacha as it has been decided by the Ashkenazi authorities, which is binding on Ashkenazi Jews. Rema named his glosses Mappah ("Tablecloth"), as a "cover" for the Shulchan Aruch ("the Set Table"). These glosses have been incorporated into the text and are distinguishable in that they are printed in Rashi script. This consolidation of the two works symbolizes the underlying unity of the Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities. It is thru this unification that the Shulchan Aruch became the universally accepted Code of Law for the entire Jewish people.

Photo above is of Grave of Reb Moshe Isserlis - the Remah in Krakow, Poland in the Old Cemetery in the Jewish district of Kazimierz. The Grave and cemetery is behind the famous Rema Shul-Synagogue, it is known that this tree was planted next to the Remah's grave in the year he died in 1572, and has continued to grow full of life, symbolic of the Torah of the Remah that is surviving and exists in all generations too.

Reb Moshe Kohen Narol , Author of Sefer "El Moley Rachamim" buried in METZ next to Shaages Arye and Reb Yaakov Reischer - 5419 (1659) . Above is photo of the collective gravestone of the 6 famous Rabbis of Metz, the reason for this is that the jewish community of Metz in fear that the Nazis would destroy the gravestones of the famous Rabbis, they removed the gravestones, so as not to make it easy to find the graves. Sadly the whole community of Metz including the Rabbi of Metz - Rabbi Bloch were murdered by the Nazi Germans and so no one was certain where they are buried, the assumption is the above place and hence a collective stone was erected.

Lag Ba'Omer, yarzheit of Reb Shimon bar Yochai see www.famousrabbis.com for full free download of the Zohar, author of the Holy Zohar, and a disciple of Rabbi Akiva. After Rabbi Akiva was murdered by the Romans, Reb Shimon bar Yochai, together with his son Rabbi Elazar, he went into hiding in a cave in the mountains near Peki'in in the Galilee, where they stayed for 13 years.Tere, he wrote the Zohar. This body of mystical knowledge was given orally by G-d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. With the passage of Israel's history, these teachings were lost to most people, until R' Shimon fearing a permanent loss of this knowledge recorded them in the Zohar. After being hidden for a 1000 years, the Zohar was rediscovered by Rabbi Moshe de Leon in Spain, in the 13th century.

מניחין חיי עולם ועסקין בחיי שעה

The famous saying of Reb Shimon Bar Yochai says "Why do people leave alone the spiritual preparations for the eternal Divine spiritual world and busy themselves in life of the moment".

Reb Shimon Bar Yochai was explaining that the foolishness of mankind who enjoy the pleasure of the moment and never think beyond the selfish physical desires of the "here and now", whereas everyone should be thinking of tomorrow and further beyond into the contemplationa and preparations for ones soul into entering the eternal Divine spiritual realms after this short journey called life is finished. Sadly greedy, selfish and materialistically minded people only live for the fulfillment of the physical desires and never "think" for even one second about the belief in a GOD or belief in the existence a spiritual soul until its too late!

Lag B'Omer is a spiritually enlightening day where people can repent and change ones ways to think more spiritually about ones true purpose in life and thereby make "A correction - A Tikun" a reconnection of ones soul to the eternal Divine Spiritual World. Hence the custom today to light candles and flames of fire, torches of fire that represent spiritual energy.

Reb Menachem Mendel of Rymanov, student of Reb Elimelech of Lyzensk, ( 1755-1815). He was introduced to Chasidus at the age of 11 when he met the Maggid of Mezritch. As a young man he studied Torah and Chassidus under Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, together with two of his friends, Chozeh of Lublin and the Maggid of Koznitz. His main teacher, however, was of Rebbe Elimelech of Lyzensk. Among his disciples were such outstanding Chassidic leaders as Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz and Reb Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov.

Reb Yaakov Moshe Mordechai Soloveichik , Zurich , Switzerland 1995 , known as "Reb Moshe" one of the greatest post war European Tzaddikim. After the war Reb Moshe learnt in Montreux yeshiva, then lived in Lugano where he married Ruchama Neumann, then became Rosh Yeshiva in Lucerne, before living in Zurich.

Rav Ezra Atiyah of Syria, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef , Jerusalem (1885-1970)

Reb Mordechai of Chernobyl (1838)

Reb Chaim Avraham Gagin, born in Constantinople, Turkey, to Reb Moshe, a descendent of Reb Chaim Gagin, a fugitive of the Spanish expulsion. Sadly, Reb Chaim Avraham’s father died when his son was just one year old. His second wife was the daughter of the, Reb Avrohom Shalom Sharabi, grandson of the Rashash, Reb Shalom Sharabi. After his marriage, he became Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Kel, founded by Reb Gedaliah Chayun in 1737. He later became Rishon Letzion. His writings included Mincha Tehora on Gemara Menachos, Chukei Chaim (halachic responsa), and others. (1787-1848)

Reb Ozer of Klementov, author of Even Ha'Ozer on Shulchan Oruch

Reb Chaim of Kosov (1854)

Rav Saadyah Gaon, author of Emunot V'deiyot (882-942) . Born in Fayum (the former name of Cairo), Egypt, he led an all-out war against the Karaites when he was just 23, criticizing their theories with articulately advanced arguments. In 915, he moved from Egypt to Teveria to further his studies. However, the yeshiva of Sura in Babylonia invited him there. Six years later, in 928, he was appointed Gaon of the yeshiva. Two years later, a rift between him and the Reish Galusa – David ben Zakai – over a beis din decision prompted Rav Saadyah’s move to Baghdad. He returned 7 years thereafter, having mended the relationship. His most famous written work is Ha’Emunos veHaDeyos, the first Jewish philosophy book, originally written in Arabic and translated into Hebrew by Rav Yehuda ibn Tibbon. His translation of the Chumash into Arabic is used by Yemenite Jews to this day.

Reb Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, author of Mesilas Yesharim, 1747 see here for the complete Book Mesilas Yeshorim in Hebrew and English with Photos and full history of this spiritual writer . ( Buried near Rabbi Akiva overlooking lake Kineret in Tiberias Israel )

Reb Yerachmiel Yehuda Meir, the Amshenover Rebbe , Born in Peshischa, he learned with his grandfather, Reb Menachem, who was the grandson of the first Amshinover Rebbe, Reb Yaakov David. When Reb Menachem passed away in 1918, one of his sons, Reb Yosef, became the Rebbe of Amshinov, and the other son, Reb Shimon Shalom – Reb Meir’s father – became Rebbe in Otvotzk. Reb Shimon was a major driving force behind the exodus of thousands of bachurim in Mir, Kletzk, Radin, Novardak, and other yeshivos to Japan and Shanghai at the outbreak of World War II. By the time Shanghai came under Japanese control, it held 26,000 Jews. After the war, Reb Shimon immigrated to America. Upon his petira in 1954, Reb Meir accompanied the aron to Teveria in Eretz Yisrael. He later moved to Tel Aviv, and then to the Bayit Vegan section of Yerushalayim. Reb Meir was noted for his genius in Torah, as well as his warmth and sensitivity to all Jews. His grandson, Reb Yaakov Aryeh Milikowski, succeeded him as the Amshinover Rebbe.(1901-1976).

Reb Yitzchak of Kurweil, Sefer Mitzvos Katan (SeMaK), 1280 , Reb Yitzchak of Corbeil (or Kurweil), the Baal HaChotem (1280). A student and son-in-law of Rav Yechiel of Paris, he authored a halachic compendium called Amudei HaGolah. Because it briefer than the Semag of Reb Moshe of Coucy, his work is referred to as the Sefer Mitzvos Kattan, or Semak. It lists all post-Temple mitzvos with pertinent halachic details. He also authored some of the writings of the Tosefos.