Rabbi Avrohom Even Ezra (1089-1164). He was born in Tudela during the height of Spain’s Golden Age. There, he established a close friendship with Reb Yehudah Halevi. Three of his uncles were ministers in the royal palace. He moved to Toledo, during the benevolent rule of King Alfonso VI. After the King died, however, the anti-semitic masses began to harass the Jews, so he headed south to Muslim Spain – to Granada, Cordova, and Lucena. In 1148, the barbaric Almohades overran Morocco and continued into Spain. He was forced to flee to Rome, Provence, and Rhodes (where he befriended Rabbeinu Tam and other grandsons of Rashi, as well as the Rosh). He traveled to Egypt and learned with the Rambam. He wrote a commentary on the Torah and Navi, based in large part on Hebrew grammar. He also wrote dozens of books on astronomy, astrology, and mathematics. See Special, Rare and out-of-print Seforim including many of Even Ezra's seforim ( items # 84, # 101, # 154 thru' # 166 ).

Reb Shabsai HaKohen Katz, (Shach) author of Sifsei Kohen (1622-1663), recognized as one of the most basic and authoritative commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch. Born in Vilna. He learned in Tyktizin, Cracow and Lublin. He married a great grand-daughter of the Rema. In 1648 the communities of Russian Poland were devastated by Chmielnicki, and Reb Shabsai haKohen was among the sufferers. He authored selichos in tragic memory of the events. He was nifter at the age of 41 in Holleschau, Germany, having completed his commentary to 2 of the 4 sections of the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah (at age 24) and Choshen Mishpat. Among his other works are Sefer Ha’Aruch on the Tur, Poel Tzedek on the 613 mitzvos, and Gevuros Anashim, on cases in which a wife can legally compel her husband to give her a get (divorce). (1622-1663).

Reb Baruch Rosenberg, Rosh Yeshiva of Keneses Yisroel, Slabodka in Bnai Brak (1924-2004). Born in Moholiev, Russia, to Reb Gershon Chanoch Rosenberg, whose father – Reb Michel Yechiel Rosenberg – was one of Reb Chaim Brisker’s chavrusos. In his teens, Reb Baruch attended Mir, where became close to Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz and Reb Yechezkel Levenstein. During World War II, Reb Baruch went to Vilna, and then to Shanghai with the yeshiva. In 1950, he continued his studies in Mir Yerushalayim. The year after his cahsuna, he accepted an invitation to be magid shir at the Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnai Brak, where he stayed for 50 years.

Reb Yosef Dov Soloveichik, son of the Brisker Rov, Reb Velvel, (1903-1993). Son of Reb Moshe Soloveitchik, and older brother of Reb Ahron Soloveichik. Great-grandson of Reb Yosef Ber Soloveitchik, the Beis HaLevy (1820- 1892), and nephew of the Brisker Rov, Reb Velvel. He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Berlin, and then settled in Boston in the early 1930’s. He became Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva University, and gave weekly shiurim to senior students, while delivering philosophy lectures to graduate students.

Reb Yisrael Alter, the Beis Yisroel of Ger see www.famousrabbis.com/ Gerrer rebbe .For full history , (1894-1977). The son of Reb Avrohom Mordechai, the Imrei Emes, he celbrated a double Simcha on his Bar Mitzvah, as he became engaged to his cousin, Chaya Sara. They married two years later. In 1940, the Imrei Emes escaped the Nazis and reached Eretz Yisroel, along with his sons, Reb Yisroel, Reb Simcha Bunim, and Reb Pinchas Menachem. Tragically, Reb Yisroel’s wife, daughter, and son perished, a fact he didn’t learn until 1945. He remarried in 1948, but had no challenge from his second wife. After his father’s petira, Reb Yisroel assumed the mantle of leadership of Ger. For the next 29 years, he rebuilt Ger and was a major force in the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel. After his passing, Ger was led by his brother, Reb Simcha Bunim, until his petira in 1992. After that, his other brother, Reb Pinchas Menachem led Ger for four years. Since then, Ger has been led by Reb Yaakov Aryeh, the son of Reb Simcha Bunim.

Reb Meir Paprish (1624-1662). Meir Paprish started to learn Kabbalah at the young age of 13, as a student of Reb Yaakov Tzemach who studied under Reb Shmuel Vital son of Reb Chaim Vital (main student of the Ari).

Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi, a talmid of the Maharit, Constantinople (1727-1802). One of the main students of the famed kabbalist Rabbi Shalom Sharabi - the RASHASH. In 1776 Rav Yom Tov Algazi was appointed as the head judge in the Jewish court of Jerusalem.

Reb Binyomin Zev Lev (1777-1851) of Vadislav. His father was the author of the Shemen Kokeach. He married Feigele, the daughter of Reb Yitzchok Eisik Elkish, Reb of Ushpitzin from the dynasty of the Rebbe Reb Heschel and the Moginei Shlomo. He eventually became rov in Amshinov. He authored the Shaarei Torah. His son, Yirmiyohu, was author of Divrei Yirmiyohu.

Reb Moshe Schwab (1917-1979). Born in Frankfurt-am-Mein to Reb Yehuda (Leopold) and Hanna (nee Erlanger) Schwab, the younger brother of Reb Shimon and Reb Mordechai. He was sent to learn in Kaminetz under Reb Baruch Ber Leibowitz and in Baronovich under Reb Elchonon Wasserman. In 1938, he moved to England and accepted a position at the Kollel in Gateshead. In 1942, he married Rochel Baddiel, daughter of Reb Dovid Baddiel, one of the founding members of the Gateshead kehilla. In 1946, he joined the Yeshiva and became very close to Rabbi Dessler.

Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, author of Sefer HaLevushim (1535-1612). Studied under the Maharshal and Rama in his youth . Married in 1553, escaped Prague in 1561 during The expulsion by King Ferdinand, settling in Italy. Became Rabbi of Horodna(Grodno) In Lithuania in 1572, then Lublin. In 1598, when the Maharal left Posen for Prague, R. Mordechai became rabbi of Posen until his death.

Rabbi Eliyahu Dovid Rabinowitz-Teumim, the Aderes (5603-. Born on Shavuos. The last part of his name, Te'omim denotes the fact that he was a "te'om," or twins. His mother, Chana, was a descendant of the Baal Halevushim and the Chacham Tzvi. After his marriage, Reb Eliyahu Dovid moved to his wife's birthplace, Ponovezh. When he was 29, he was invited to serve as the rav of Ponovezh, a position he held for 18 years. In 5650, he was asked to serve as rav of the city of Mir. After serving in Mir for eight years, he was asked to assume the position of mara d'asra, or chief rabbi, of Yerushalayim, at the recommendation of Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky. There, he assisted the 80 year old Reb Shmuel Salant. Reb Eliyahu Dovid served as the rov of Yerushalayim for four years. see www.famousrabbis.com/aderes

Rabbi Yaakov Goldvicht, founder in1952 and rosh yeshiva, Kerem B'Yavne died in 1994 -5754

Rav Acha bar Rav Huna of Rabanan from the Babylonian Talmud

The body of R. Meir (MaHaRaM) of Rotenburg's was released for burial in 1307, fourteen years after his death in the fortress of Ensisheim. He was buried in the old Jewish cemetery of Worms. Next to him was buried R. Alexander Susskind Wimpfen, who gave away his entire fortune to ransom the body . Both graves miraculously escaped Nazi ravaging of the cemetery (born in 1215) see www.famousrabbis.com/maharam and photos of grave in Worms

Photo of the Ohel of Reb Eliezer Gordon in Montagu Road London

where thousands of people come and light candles, leave "Kvitlech" - "Prayer Requests"

& pray inside the Tomb - "Ohel" of this Tzaddik

Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, rosh yeshivas Telz ( buried Edmonton federation cemetary LONDON in 1910 - ADAR I ) see www.famousrabbis.com/Reb Eliezer for full history, and photos of his Ohel -Tomb . Reb Leizer Gordon (1841-1910). Born in Chernian, Lithuania, to Reb Avraham Shmuel Gordon, a talmid of Reb Chaim of Volozhin. He learned at Reb Yisroel Salanter’s yeshiva in Kovon with Reb Yitzchak Blazer, Reb Simcha Zissel Ziv, and Reb Naftali Amsterdam. He succeeded his father-in-law as rov of Kovno, but left after three months to become rov of Kelm, where he opened a yeshiva. Then he went to Slobodka and stayed for 6 months, then he went to Telshe, which had been started in 1877 by Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel and Reb Eliezer Chavas. In 1897, he hired Reb Leib Chasman as mashgiach to fight off the influences of haskala. Reb Leizer was nifter in London , UK , heartbroken as he was on a fun-raising mission after a fire destroyed the yeshiva in Telshe, as the jews in England did not recognise him or the importance of supporting Yeshivas and Torah learning, it was reported he did not even raise enough money to return to Telz!

Reb Avraham Landau of Tchechenov (1875). Born in Prantzav, he married at 16 and had 4 children. Lodz and Lublin fought for the honor of hiring Reb Avraham as their Rov, but he instead chose to lead the small rural community of Tchechenov. Only after the Kotzker Rebbe and Reb Yitzchak Meir had passed away, then their followers turned to Reb Avraham for blessings and advice, and he finally agreed to become rebbe.

Rabbi Morechai Shlomo of Boyan (1891-1971), died in USA

Reb Naftali Amsterdam, disciple of Reb Yisroel Salanter

Reb Dovid Povarsky, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ponovezh, (1902-1999). When he was twelve years old, he learned with Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer in Slutzk. Afterward, he transferred to Poltova, where he became deeply attached to his rav muvhak, Reb Yeruchom Levovitz, whom he followed to Kelm and Ponovezh. From Ponovezh, he transferred to Mir yeshiva and became very close to Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz. One of his chavrusas in Shulchan Aruch was Reb Aharon Kotler. A while after his marriage, he transferred to the yeshiva in Baranowitz, where he studied under Reb Elchonon Wassermann. Later on, Reb Yeruchom sent Reb Dovid to be a ram in Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin headed by Reb Meir Shapira of Lublin. Reb Dovid merited to form a special bond with Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky.

Birthday of R. Menachem Mendel, son of the Lubavitcher Rebbe MaHaRaSh, 5627 [1867]. He was born in the year after the Tzemach Tzedek's passing, and named after him.

Hagaon Rav Yechiel Michel Pines, zt"l (d.1931), an early Torah Zionist and leader of the Chovevei Tzion movement.

Birthday of Moshe Rabbeinu, in 2368 [1393 BCE] and his Yarzheit in 2488 [1273 BCE]

Reb Shlomoh Efraim,of Lunshitz, author of Klay Yakar, Rosh Yeshiva in Lemberg,Rov of Prague 1550-1619

10 Adar

10 Adar

Reb Avrohom of Sockachov, son-in-law of Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1839-1910)

Rav Alexander Moshe Lapidus see www.famousrabbis.com/Reb Lapidus

Reb Mordechai Posner, brother of the Alter Rebbe, 5583 [1823]; Rov of Ursha

Rabbi Chayim Yosef David Azulai, (the ``ChiDA"), (1724-1806) see www.famousrabbis.com/The Chida

Reb Avrohom Borenstein of Sochatchov, author of Avnei Nezer, Eglei Tal (1839-1910), son-in-law of the Kotzker Rebbe,a chasid of Reb Chanoch Henach of Alexander.He was born in Bendin to Reb Ze’ev Nachum, author of the Agudas Eizov, a descendent of the Rema and the Shacha, and the Rov of Elkush and Biala. In 1853, he married Sarah Tzina, one of the two daughters of the Kotzker Rebbe, with whom he learned almost daily for almost 7 years. After the petira of his father-in-law in 1859, Reb Avrohom accepted the Chidushei HaRim of Ger as his rebbe. After the petira of the Chidushei HaRim in 1866, he accepted Reb Chanoch Henich HaKohen of Alexander as his new rebbe. In 1883, he became Rov of Sochachov

Reb Yosef Rozin of Dvinsk, the Gaon of Rogotchov,"the Rogatchover " author of Tzofnas Paneach, 1936 see www.famousrabbis.com/ Rogatchover

Reb Avrohom Abu Chatzera ( tiberias ) 5683

Reb Eliezer Lippman, father of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and Reb Zusha of Annipoli.

Reb Gershon Ashkenazi, ADAR II Av beis din and Rov of Metz France , author of Avodas Gershuni.

Reb Shmuel Strashon of Vilna, the Rashash

Reb Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986) . Born in Uzda (near Minsk), Belorussia, he was chosen rabbi of Ljuban in 1920, at the age of 25. He escaped the Stalinist regime in 1936 and settled in New York as rosh yeshiva of Tiferes Yerushalayim

Reb Zeev Volf of Zhitomer, student of the Mezeritcher Maggid, author of Or Hameir, 5560 [1800].

Hagaon Rav Tzvi Yehudah Hakohen Kook, (1984). Rav Tzvi Yehudah was the Rosh Yeshivah of Hayeshivah Hamercazit Ha'olamit (Mercaz Harav) and the spiritual leader of Gush Emunim, the movement for settlement throughout the Biblical Land of Israel.

Reb Moshe Deutsch, Stamford Hill, London 1997 - 5757 who was married to a niece of the Shotzer Rebbe, Reb Shulem Moskowitz.

Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kaindanover - The Author of ספר קב הישר .

Native of Vilna; died at Frankfort-on-the-Main March 23, 1712; He was the son of Rabbi Aaron Samuel Kaindanover; pupil of Rabbi Yoseph ben Yudah Yeidel, Rov of Minsk and later of Dubno. Rabbi Yoseph's teaching exercised a considerable influence upon his pupil, especially in the cabalistic trend of his studies; whereas in the Halachah, Rabbi Kaindanover followed more closely his father. In his native place Kaindanover, with his whole family, was thrown into prison on account of a base denunciation, and was forced to languish in chains for years until he was pardoned, his son being retained in prison at Slutsk. Fearing another imprisonment, he decided to settle in Frankfort-on-the-Main. In Frankfort he recovered from the trials through which he had passed and found leisure to engage in literary pursuits. Besides publishing his father's works, which he in part accompanied with notes (as in the case of "Birkas Shemuel"), he wrote a book on morals entitled "Kav ha-Yashar," being a combination of ethics and asceticism. It has passed through numerous editions since its first appearance at Frankfort in 1705. The book contains 102 chapters, corresponding to the numerical value of "Kav" the numerical value of his first name Tzvi צבי . "Ha-Yashar" הישר is an anagram of the author's name Hirsch .

Please see "Kav HaYosher" where i have uploaded the whole sefer to the internet with Audio Shiur coming soon in Summer 2008.

Reb Pinchos Menachem Alter, Gerrer Rebbe , Jerusalem 1996. The fifth son of Reb Avraham Mordechai Alter (the Imrei Emes), Reb Pinchas was born in the resort town of Palinitz, Poland. His father was 60 years old at the time. In 1946, he married his cousin, and two years later, his father passed away. Three of the Imrei Emes’ sons became Rebbe of Ger: Reb Yisroel (the Beis Yisroel, nifter 1977), Reb Simcha Bunim (the Lev Simcha, nifter 1992), and Reb Pinchas Menachem (the Pnei Menachem). However, Reb Pinchas Menachem was Rosh Yeshiva of Sefas Emes of Ger in Yerushalayim from the time he was 30, and was head of Agudas Yisroel after the petira of Reb Yitzchak Meir Levine.

Reb Alexander Ziskind, author of Yesod V'shoresh Ha'avoda, Horodna, Lithuania (1794)

Reb Yechezkel Levenstein, mashgiach of Ponevezh (1974) see www.famousrabbis.com/Reb Levenstein

18 Adar

18 Adar

Reb Nachum Mordechai of Tchortkov (1946)

Reb Moshe Landynski see www.famousrabbis.com/Reb Moshe

Reb Meir Yechiel of Ostrowiec (1928)

Reb Yaakov Chaim Jofen, rosh yeshivas Beis Yosef and the son of Reb Avrohom Jofen, the son-in-law of the Alter of Novhardok. Following his bar mitzvah he studied at Baranovich for one year under Reb Dovid Rapaport, and then for a year under Reb Elchonon Wasserman. During these two years he lived with his uncle, the mashgiach, Reb Yisroel Yaakov Lubchansky. Later he returned to Bialystok to study under his father at Yeshivas Beis Yosef. In 1941, he arrived in the U.S. with his father and other gedolei Torah who managed to secure exit visas from Russia. They went on to found the Torah world for this period in the U.S. In 1941 he was already giving shiurim at Yeshivas Beis Yosef, and continued to do so for the next sixty years without interruption (1917-2003)

Reb Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, av beis din and Rov of Yerushalayim (1848-1932)

Reb Shmuel Engel (1853-1935). Born in Tarno, Galicia. Rov of Radomishla from 1888. Authored Sheilos Uteshuvas Maharash .

Maharam Shiff (1633)

Harav HaGaon, Moreinu Virabeinu Mi Kasho Rebbe Raphael ben Shmuel. He was Rov in Kasho in Williamsburg, and later established a village Kasho in Westchester, was a Talmid Muvhak from Rabbi Shaul Brach Rov of Kasho in Hungary.

Reb Yoel Sirkes of Cracow, (the Bach), author of Bayis Chadash on the Tur. Father-in-law of the Taz. Appointed Chief Rabbi of Cracow in 1619. (1561-1641). In his youth, he studied under Reb Shlomo Leibush of Lublin and Reb Meshulam Feivush in Brisk. He had several rabbinic appointments throughout Poland, lastly as Chief Rabbi of Cracow in 1619. He was the teacher and father-in-law of Reb Dovid HaLevy, the Taz.

Reb Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, rosh yeshiva of Kol Torah, renowned posek (1900-1995), born on 23 Tammuz. His father was Reb Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach, author of Chacham Lev and rosh yeshiva of Shaar Hashamayim. His brother-in-law, Reb Shalom Schwadron. Reb Shlomo Zalman married Chaya Rivka Ruchamkin on erev Purim 5690. In 5709, he left Etz Chaim to succeed Reb Yechiel Schlesinger as Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Torah Yeshiva in the Rechavia section of Yerushalayim. see www.famousrabbis.com/Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZT"L

Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, author of Noam Elimelech, (1717-1787). Learned under Maggid Mezritch. Among his students: Reb Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, Chozeh Of Lublin, Maggid of Koznitz, Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov. Below is photo of the grave tomb of the Noam Elimelech in Lizhensk, Poland

See photos of Lizhensk in Poland, with Directions to Lizhensk and Photos the Ohel of Noam Elimelech in Lizhensk, new photos of Ohel - Tomb taken in May 2007.

Reb Yitzchak Elchonon Spector, rov of Kovno (1817-1896), lived in Kovno 1866-1896. see www.famousrabbis.com/ Rav Spector

21 Adar

21 Adar

Reb Yechiel Michel Epstein, author of Aruch Hashulchan, Rov of Novardok (1829-1908)

Reb Itzele Ponevezher see www.famousrabbis.com/ Ponevezhe

The Tschuber Rov, Craven Walk, Stamford Hill, London Adar 1 ( 1989 )

Reb Yitzchak Meir Alter of Ger (Chidushei Harim) (1799-1866) . Below is photo of plaque for his grave in Poland

Reb Arun Runder Stamford Hill London Adar 1 (1989)

26 Adar

26 Adar

Rabbi Eli (Eliyahu) Chaim Carlebach (Rabbi Citron's father-in-law, twin brother of singer Shlomo Carlebach and person for whom Aaron Gross's son is named, 1989

The Shoel Umeishiv -- R' Yosef Shaul Natansohn Known as the Shoel Umeishiv, after his sefer of that name, R' Yosef Shaul Natansohn was truly the shoel umeishiv of all European Jewry of his generation.see www.famousrabbis.com/Reb Natansohn

Reb Shlomo Elyashiv, author of Leshem Shvo Y'achlama

Reb Moshe Neuschloss, av beis din of New Squarer

Reb Yisroel Bergstein, born in the Lithuanian city of Suvalk in 5672, studied in Grodno under Reb Shimon Shkop and Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz from age 11, then at age 14, under Reb Avrohom Grodzinsky and the Alter of Slabodka at Chevron. Taught at Chofetz Chaim in Baltimore and founded a yeshiva in White Plains. Nifter in 1998.

Reb Yekusiel Zalman, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe, 1867 (Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev's grandson)

Reb Yaakov Kaminetsky, rosh yeshiva of Torah Vedas, author of Emes L'Yaakov (1891-1986) see www.famousrabbis.com/Rav Kamenetsky , (1891-1986). Born on 21 Adar, in Dolhinov, he left for Minsk at the age of 11. Among his friends there were the future Reb Grozovsky and the young Aaron Kotler. Shortly after Pesach in 1905, Reb Yaakov and Reb Aaron traveled to Slobodke to learn under the supervision of the Alter of Slobodke. Reb Yaakov also learned in Slutzk. During World War I he took refuge in Lomza in the yeshiva of Reb Yechiel Michel Gordon. On 22 Sivan, 1919, he married the Rebbetzin Ita Ettel. On 11 Av 1937, he left for America. In 1945, he accepted the request of Reb Shraga Feivel Mendelovitz that he take up the position of rosh yeshiva in Mesivta Torah Vodaas, a position he kept for the rest of his life. His chidushim were printed in his seforim Emes LeYaakov, on Torah and on Shas. As he requested, he was buried in Brooklyn, since he pointed out that most of his family live in America and would not always be able to travel to his kever in Eretz Yisroel. From this, his last request we learn yet another chapter of his feelings for others.

Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky (1911-1999). Born in Brooklyn, he attended Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, and later Talmudical Academy High School on East Broadway. After high school, he became a member of the very first class of Yeshiva College, from which he graduated magna cum laude in 1932. He later earned his doctorate in education from Teachers College at Columbia University. When he began his tenure at Torah Umesorah, the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools, in 1946, he set as his goal that every town and city with a Jewish population of at least 5,000 have a Jewish day school. In those days, there was only a handful of yeshivos and day schools; there are now 600 such schools with 170,000 students all over the United States. In 1980, he retired and moved to Yerushalayim, to devote himself to full-time learning.