Reb Shulem Shachna of Lublin. teacher and father-in-law of Reb Moshe Isserles, the Rama. The 16th century was a period of growth and enlightenment for the Jewish community of Lublin, which had the third largest Jewish community in Poland in this period. The Lublin Yeshiva was established in 1515 by Shalom Shachna (d. 1558). He was succeeded as head of Lublin by Reb Shlomo Luria, the Maharshal .

Reb Yosef Shmuel of Cracow, author of Mesoras Hashas. The Chidoh, in his biography of R' Yosef Shmuel zt"l, wrote that the rov of Frankfurt learned all of Shas 42 times, fulfilling the commandment "Vedibarto `bom'," (the numerical value of `bom' being 42). He also added that for 25 years he learnt standing on his feet and all his learning was Torah lishmoh!

Reb Akiva Sofer of Pressburg (1960), author of Daas Sofer. Son of Reb Simcha Bunim Sofer (The "Shevet Sofer"), grandson of the "Kesav Sofer" (Reb Avrohom Shmuel Binyamin Sofer) and the great-grandson of the "Chasam Sofer" (Reb Moshe Sofer).

Dayan Eliezer Posen of London 5730 - 1969

Reb Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), rosh yeshivas Bais Medrash Govoah, Lakewood; son-in-law of Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer. The son of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Pines, Reb Aharon was known as the "Shislovitzer iluy." At 14 he entered the Slobodka yeshivah, where he learnt under the Alter and Reb Moshe Mordechai Epstein. He also heard shiurim from Reb Boruch Ber, who had his own yeshiva in one of the suburbs of Slobodka. He married the daughter of Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer, head of the yeshivah Etz Chayim in Slutsk, and became his assistant (1914). Even before he was 25 years old, he became one of its roshei yeshivah. After the yeshivah's forced transfer to Kletsk in Poland – due to the Bolchevik takeover and religious persecution (1921), Reb Isser Zalman emigrated to Erez Ysrael, and Rav Kotler directed the Etz Chayim for 20 years. With the Soviet occupation of Poland in 1939, Reb Kotler escapied first to Kobe, Japan, then to the United States (April, 1941). Reb Aharon assumed a leading role in the operations of the Vaad Hatzoloh. Under his leadership, Beth Medrash Govoha opened in a converted house in Lakewood, New Jersey in April 1943, and the yeshiva and kollel student body increased from the original 14 to 140 in 1962, the year of Reb Aharon's petiroh. Reb Aharon also headed Chinuch Atzmai, the network of Torah day schools in Israel, founded in 1953, and he took over the leadership of Torah U'Mesorah, the American day school movement, after the death of its founder Reb Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz. He also headed Agudas Yisroel's Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah.

Rabbi Dr. Dov Revel, President and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan in New York.

3 Kislev

4 Kislev

Reb Meshulam Ashkanazi of Lordship Park, Stamford Hill, London - The Stanislaver Rebbe , buried in a special Ohel in Enfield London , please see here for photos of Ohel , where many people go to pray with "kvitlech" prayer requests .

Reb Yaakov Moshe Kulevsky, learned at Torah Vadaas in his early 20s, while serving in the army, Rosh yeshiva at Ner Yisroel after Reb Yaakov Weinberg’s petira (2002).

Reb Eliyahu Kubo, av beis din of Saloniki, author of Aderes Eliyahu

Reb Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, the Lakewood mashgiach. Reb Nosson was born on 9 Adar in Kuhl, Lithuania. His father, Reb Moshe Yom Tov was one of the 14 original students of the yeshiva in Slutsk. (Another of these students was R' Aharon Kotler). Reb Nosson himself began his education in the yeshiva in Kelm. When he was fifteen, he came to the United States - his father had accepted a rabbinic post in Montreal - and enrolled in Yeshivas Rabbenu Yitzchak Elchanan (forerunner of the Talmudic division of Yeshiva University). After two years there, he returned to Lithuania to study at the Mir Yeshiva. He also studied under Reb Shimon Shkop, and in Kamenetz, under Reb Baruch Ber Lebowitz. Beginning in 1941, Reb Nosson joined with Reb Aharon Kotler to develop the Lakewood Yeshiva. He left several children, including Reb Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of the Yeshiva Zichron Moshe in South Fallsburg, New York. (1910-1998)

Reb Yaakov Dovid Kalish (1803-1878), founder of the Amshinov dynasty. His brother, Reb Menachem Mendel, continued the Vorki dynasty from their father, Rebv Yitzchak Kalish (1779-1848). Reb Yaakov Dovid married the daughter of a well-known chasid from Ger. When the rabbi of Ger passed away, the community turned to the pious, brilliant young man and took him as their rabbi. This was before the time of the famous "Chidushei Harim," when Ger was not yet famous. It is not known why Reb Yaacov Dovid left Ger and went to Peshischa, nor why he remained in Peshischa only a year and a half. He was hired as rabbi of the town of Amshinov, where he remained to the end of his days. There, he became known as the rebbe of Amshinov. Reb Menachem, the oldest of Reb Yaakov Dovid’s three sons, inherited the mantle of Amshinov from his father for 40 years (1918).

Reb Baruch Ber Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Kamenitz (1940); father-in-law of Reb Reuven Grozovsky, who became his successor. see www.famousrabbis.com/ Boruch Ber

Reb Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi Eidels, the Maharsha (1631); born in Krakow in 1555. His father, Reb Yehuda, was an eminent talmid chacham who descended from Reb Yehuda Hachassid, as well as from Reb Akiva Hakohen Katz, the father-in-law of the Shela Hakadosh. His mother was the granddaughter of Reb Yehuda Loewe, the Maharal of Prague. Rebbetzin Eidel Lifschitz of Pozna, the wealthy widow of Reb Moshe Lifschitz, the Rov of Brisk, made a match between her daughter and the Maharsha. She also supported her other son-in-law, Reb Moshe Ashkenazi, author of Zichron Moshe, with whom the Maharsha studied. In appreciation of his mother-in-law's efforts, the Maharsha added the name Eidels to his own name, and from then on called himself Shmuel Eliezer Eidels. Rebbetzin Eidel passed away in 5368 at the age of 100. During his years as rosh yeshiva in Austroha, the Maharsha compiled his monumental Chiddushei Halachos on the Shas and his Chiddushei Aggados on the aggados of the Talmud. see www.famousrabbis.com/maharsha

Reb Dovid Luria, (1798-1855), the Radal, talmid of the Vilna Gaon, wrote an important commentary on Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer.

Reb Michoel Dov Weissmandel, rosh yeshiva Nitro, Mt. Kisco yeshiva, Holocaust rescue activist see www.famousrabbis.com/weissmandl

Reb Chaim Shmuel Lopian, author of Ravacha Shematata

Stropkover Rebbe - Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam – Lipshitz 5755 1995, Author of Divrei Yechezkel Shraga. – Har Hamenuchos Chelkas Harabonim

7 Kislev

7 Kislev

Reb Shlomo Binyamin Halevi Ashlag, author of the Peirush Hasulam

Reb Aharon Halevi Epstein (died in 1882), son of the Author of Sefer Me'Or VeShamesh, Klonimos Kalman. Photo below is of his gravestone in the "New Cemetery" Krakow, Poland.

7 Kislev

7 Kislev

King Herod (4 BCE) harosho, this day was declared Yom Tov in Megilas Taanis

Rabbi David Sinzheim of France , see here for photos cimetière du Père Lachaise - Paris

Reb Moshe Shapira (1838), son of Reb Pinchas of Koretz

Reb Pinchos Dovid Horowitz, the Bostoner Rebbe, (1876-1941). Born in Yerushalayim to Reb Shmuel Shmelke and Sheyna Elka Horowitz, he was very close to his grandfather, Reb Elazar Mendel of Lelov until the latter’s passing in 1883. He then became a devoted talmid of his uncle, Reb Dovid Tzvi Shlomo of Lelov. He alos became part of a small group of boys who studied mishnayos in depth with Rav Shneur Zalman of Lublin. After his marriage to Rivka, he lived in Tzfas with hter parents. When his father died tragically at age 36, he was forced to move to Yerushalayim to care for his mother and younger siblings. His wife, Rivka, died in 1904. Her father, eager to keep his son-in-law in the family, suggested that he marry his granddaughter, Sarah Sasha Brandwein, who was still a child. In 1909, at the age of 16, she gave birth to a son, Moshe. During World War I, he escaped to the United States as a refugee in 1915, with the help of Reb Yaakov Meir of Salonika, the Rav of Greece. In gratitude to the Jews of Boston, who helped him procure residential rights in America, he settled in Boston.

Reb Aharon of Chernobel (1786-1871). Rabbi Aharon was one of the eight sons of the famous tzaddik Reb Mordechai of Chernobyl, and the grandson of the tzaddik Reb Menachum Nachum of Chernobyl his childhood teacher.

Reb Dov Ber of Lubavitch, 2nd Lubavitcher Rebbe (1830) , 1773-1827, known as the Mitteler Rebbe. He was the son and successor of his father Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya (the Alter Rebbe), and uncle and father-in-law of the Tzemach Tzedek. Reb Dov Ber assumed the leadership of Chabad upon his father's passing in 1812. In 1813 he settled in the town of Lubavitch, which was to serve as the movement's headquarters for the next 102 years. In 1826, Rabbi Dov Ber was arrested by the Czarist government on slanderous charges. His day of release, Kislev 10 is celebrated to this day as a "festival of liberation" among Lubavitch chassidim.

Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1954), author of Even HaEzel, rosh yeshiva of Slutsk and Eitz Chaim-Yerushalayim, Disciple of Netziv, Reb Chaim Soloveitchik, and the Chofetz Chaim; Father-in-law of Reb Aharon Kotler.

Reb Moshe Mordechai Epstein, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka and Chevron yeshiva see www.famousrabbis.com/Rav Epstein

12 Kislev

Reb Shlomo Luria, the Maharshal (1574), Lublin , The Maharshal see www.famousrabbis.com/maharshal

Reb Yisroel of Tchortkov (1934)

Ravina berei D'rav Huna. A passage in the Talmud (Bava Mesi'a) speaks of Rav Ashi and Ravina as "the end of instruction" (i.e. the close of the Talmud Bavli).

Reuven ben Yaakov Avinu (1567 BCE-1442 BCE)

Rabbi Menashe ben Yisroel of Amsterdam, author of "Nishmas Odom". He was as friend of Rembrandt van Rijn( the famous Painter) , who apart from making an etching of the Rabbi also illustrated his books. It was Rabbi Menashe, whom together with Rabbi Jacob Sasportas, pleaded with Oliver Cromwell to allow the Jews to settle in England on philosophical and theological grounds.

Rav David Abu Chatzera, the brother of Reb Yisroel AbuChatzera (Baba Sali) zt'l who held him in great esteem.he was killed al kedushat Hashem.

Reb Yehuda HaNasi, son of Shimon ben Gamliel (born 120 C.E.)

Reb Simcha Bunim Sofer of Pressburg author of Shaarei Simcha. (The "Shevet Sofer"). Reb Simcha Bunim Sofer was born in Pressburg, Hungary (now Bratslava, Slovakia). He was the son of the "Kesav Sofer" and the grandson of the "Chasam Sofer." (1843-1906)

Reb Yaakov of Lublin (1644), father of Reb Herschel of Cracow

Reb Meshulam Roth Z"tl, Rov Of Tchernovitz , talmid of Reb Meir Arik of Tarnow( yarzheit 15th Tishrei), One of the greatest Geonim and Poskim of the last generation, Reb Meshulam Roth z"tl, was most modest in his ways and avoided any form of public notice. Reb Meshulam was born in 1875 in Horodanka, located in Eastern Galicia. As a young child, his name became legendary among the great rabbonim of the time. please see full artcicle on life history of Reb Meshulam Roth Ztl

Reb Shaul Yedidya Taub, the 2nd Modzitzer Rebbe. Born in Osherov. (1886-1947). He assumed the leadership of Modzitz upon the passing of his father Reb Yisrael zt'l in 1920. From 1940 until 1947 the Rebbe resided in Brooklyn New York. Reb Shaul was probably the most prolific Hasidic composer of all time with the total output numbering close to 1000 compositions of music .

16 Kislev

17 Kislev

Reb Menachem Kalish of Amshenov (1917). Succeeded his father, Reb Yaakov Dovid Kalish in 1877.

Reb Yosef Yozel Horowitz, Alter from Novardok . Born in 5608 in the Lithuanian town of Plongian. Reb Yosef Yoizel joined Kovno's Kollel Perushim where he studied under Reb Itzele Blazer, Reb Naftali Amsterdam and Reb Avraham Shenker, spening at least 18 hours a day - most of the time standing- studying Shas and poskim. In 5654 Reb Yosef Yoizel began to visit the Alter of Kelm, Reb Simcha Zissel Ziv. He was niftar in 5680. Reb Yosef Yoizel Horowitz ZT"L The Alter of Novardok see www.famousrabbis.com/Reb Horowitz

Reb Shlomo Heiman, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Elyon, Tora Vodaas

Reb Avraham Yochanan Blumenthal (1877-1966). Born to his parents one year after they made aliyah from Hungary, he married in 1895, and - despite the death of three of his children and his wife's becoming hard of hearing - he began an orphanage for the destitute of Yerushalayim during World War I. Beis Zion Blumenthal has been continued by his grandson, Reb Eliezer Rakovsky (d. 1996) and his great grandson, Reb Boruch Rakovsky.

Reb Baruch of Mezhbizh (1812), grandson of Baal Shem Tov

Rabbi Yisroel DovBer Odesser, photo above shows holy gravesite buried on Har Menuchos, Jerusalem see www.famousrabbis.com/RebYisroel for full history. With special thanks to our very good friends at www.breslov.com

Reb Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch (1704-1772), learned with the Pnei Yehoshua in Lemberg early in his life. Among his students: Reb Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg and his brother Reb Zisha, Reb Levi Yitzcak of Berditchiv, Reb Nachum of Chernobyl, Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Reb Elimelech of Lizhinsk. His son was Reb Avrohom HaMalach (1740-1776)

Reb Yitzchak Hutner, Rosh Yeshivas Rabeinu Chaim Berlin (1907-1980) see Rav Yitzchak Hutner (Jewish Action Website ) and www.famousrabbis.com

Reb Tzvi Pesach Frank, Rov of Yerushalayim, He was born in Lithuania in 1873 and was a student of Reb Eliezer Gordon and Reb Shmuel Salant, his main work is a set of responsa known as Har Tzvi. He also authored Mikraei Kodesh (1873-1961). He was the father-in-law of Reb Menachem Ben-Tzion Sacks, the Menachem Tzion.

Reb Yochanan Perlow, the 7th rebbe of the Stolin-Karlin dynasty. (1956); born on the 7th of Menachem Av, 1900, in Stolin, a suburb bordering Pinsk, White Russia. Reb Yochanan's grandson, Reb Baruch Yaakov Meir Shochet, became the next Stolin- Karliner Rebbe.

Reb Shulem Schwadron, Yerushalmi maggid 1998-5758, brother-in-law of Reb Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. (1913-1995). Talmid of RebYehuda Leib Chasman and of Reb Elya Lopian.

Reb Chaim Kesar, Rov in the Yemenite community in Israel

Reb Eliezer Ashkenazi, author of Ma'asei Hashem, (1512-1586), a contemporary of the Maharal; helped develop the chevra kadisha of Prague, on which others are based. Lived during the reign of Rudolf II (1576-1611). He moved to Israel and began the first press in Tzefas, after 1577.

Reb Dovid Teveli Shiff, author of Loshon Zahav,

Reb Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, the Sdei Chemed, Rov of Karasubazar in Crimea, Russia, chief rabbi of Chevron (1832-1904) see www.famousrabbis.com/ Sdei

Shimon ben Yaakov Avinu

Reb Yaakov Ettlinger, the author of Aruch Lner, Binyan Tzion, Bikurei Yaakov; gave smicha to Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch after the latter learned with him for barely a year (1798-1871).

Reb Shlomo Zalman the Vilna Goans' father in 1758

Reb Avrohom, son of the Vilna Gaon 1808

Reb Yoshua Zelig Diskin, Rov of Pardes Chana, Rov of Pardes Chana (1896-1970); born in Chislavichi, son of Reb Shimon Moshe Diskin (1872-1930), the author of Midrash Shim'oni. Reb Yoshua wrote the preface to his father’s sefer, entitled Toldos Ha-Mechaber. His son, named for his father, Reb Shimon Diskin (1932-1999), was born in the town of Periaslov in the Kiev region of the Ukraine where Reb Yoshua Zelig was rov. He became one of the roshei yeshivos of Kol Torah. The Diskin family members are descendants of the Maharal MiPrague and the Chavos Yo'ir.

Reb Avrohom bar Dovid of Posquieres, the Raavad, Baal Hasagos, 1120-1197

Reb Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel Rabinowitz, Rebbe of Munkatch and Chief rabbi of Sao Paulo, Brazil, & Holon, Israel (1914-1997).

Reb Avrohom Yitzchak Kahan of Toldos Aharon (1914-1996). Born to Shaindel Bracha of Tzefas and named after her grandfather, Reb Yitzchak Avrohom Heller of Tzefas, Reb Avrohom Yitzchak and his family were forced to leaver Eretz Yisrael in 1918, moving to Honiad in the Zibenbergen region of Romania. There he learned in the town’s yeshiva, headed by Reb Avrohom Freund (father of Reb Moshe Aryeh Freund, later to head the Badatz in Yerushalayim). He eventually moved to the yeshiva of Krulle, headed by Reb Yoel Teitelbaum, and he moved with the yeshiva to Satmar. He became very close to Reb Aharon Roth and later married his daughter. When his mentor was nifter in 1947, Reb Avraham Yitzchak became his successor. .

Reb Chaim Tchernowitz , author of Beer Mayim Chaim, (1760-1816), born near Butchatch, Galicia (now Poland), he studied under Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg and the Maggid of Mezritch; spread Chasidus through Moldavia, a province in northeast Romania. He died in Tzfat, Eretz Yisrael.

Reb Chizkiyah di Silva, author of Pri Chodosh 1659- 1698

Reb Yisroel of Husyatin and Ruzhin (1937)

Reb Zushe Waltner (2002), Rosh yeshiva in Sunderland and Tangier . Among his talmidim from Tangier are Rav Shimon Pinto of Strasbourg and Rav Shlomo Farrache in Bnai Brak.