Rav Ephraim Alankava, Rav of Telmisan Algeria (on the border with Morocco) and author of Shaar Kevod Shamayim (1441).

Rav Trivash of Mantova, Italy (1551).

Rav Shalom Shachna of Lublin (1490-1558), teacher and father-in-law of the Rema. His grandfather and namesake was Rav of Neustadt and the Gadol Hador in Austria, who along with the Maharil founded the minhagei Ashkenaz that are still prevalent until today. He established the Lublin Yeshiva in 1515 and was succeeded by Rav Shlomo Luria, the Maharshal.

Rav Yosef Shmuel of Cracow (1703), author of Mesoras Hashas. The Chidah, in his biography of Rav Yosef Shmuel, wrote that he 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 learned standing on his feet and all his learning was Torah lishmah.

Rav Moshe Chaifetz, author of Meleches Shabbos and Meleches Machsheves (1711).

Rav Avraham Eiger of Posen (1846-1914), son of Rav Yehuda Leib Eiger, the first Lubliner Rebbe, grandson of Rav Shlomo Eiger and great-grandson of Rav Akiva Eiger. He succeeded his father as leader of his chasidim from 1882 to 1914. He was the author of a work on Chassidus, Shevet mi-Yehuda. He was also a member of the Vaad Haruchani of the Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin.

Rav Chaim Nosson Dembitzer (1820-1892). Born in Krakow, he did historical research and critical work in the field of Talmudic and rabbinic literature, and wrote about its leading personalities. His sefer, Klilas Yofi, included biographies of rabbis of Lvov, Krakow, and other cities in Poland and Lithuania. His student, Feivel Hirsch Wettstein, wrote his biography, Toledos Maharchan

Rav Moshe Hager of Radovitz, author of Vayikach Moshe (1904). {I don’t know the relationship, but Rebbe Yosef Alter Hager of Radovitz was the son of the Toras Chaim (Rebbe Chaim Hager of Kosov).

Rav Yitzchak Levitan from Aram Tzova (Aleppo) (1911).

Rav Naftali Hertz (Hertzel) Krezmer (1912). He was born in Bialystok to Rav Avraham, a textile merchant, and a grandson of Rav Osher (ben Tzvi) Hakohen, who wrote the Birkas Rosh on Brachos and Nazir. He got married in Ponevezh and remained there, serving as the rov of Yanova and other places. He wrote Noam Hamitzvos.

Rav Yisrael Ungar of Zavna (1936).

Rav Tzadok Shaingarten (1912-2005), Rav of Ohr Torah in Boro Park. Born in Warsaw to staunch Gerrer Chasidim, he learned for two zmanim at Baranovitch before attending Kletzk under Aharon Kotler. Later, her learned at Mir under Rav Yerucham Levovitz from 1932 to 1938, then returned to Warswa. When the Nazis conquered Poland, he fled to Vilna. He traveled with the Mir Yeshiva to Japan and Shanghai. After the war, he moved to New York, married Rebbetzin Ruth.

Reb Yaakov Kasirer, founder and long-time president of Bais Yaakov of Los Angeles (2005). Born in Bistra, Hungary, he lost his parents and many siblings during World War II. In 1946, he married Reizi, a childhood friend of the family, and moved to Bregenz, Austria, on the Swiss border. Two of their three children, Robert and Gabi, were born there. In 1954, they moved to Los Angeles, where their youngest child, Hindy, was born. They were involved in the creation of yeshiva Rav Isacsohn (Toras Emes), then founded Bais Yaakov in 1968, in order to assure that their daughters received a local Torah education. Even after both daughters graduated, however, Mr. Kasirer and his wife assured the ongoing growth and success of Bais Yaakov.

Rav Akiva Sofer of Pressburg (1960), author of Daas Sofer. Son of Rav Simcha Bunim Sofer (The Shevet Sofer), grandson of the Kesav Sofer (Rav Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer) and the great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer (Rav Moshe Sofer). Interestingly, three continuous generations – the Chasam Sofer, the Kesav Sofer, and the Shevet Sofer – all served as Rav of Pressburg for 33 years. When Rav Akiva Sofer neared his 33rd year as Rav, he asked his uncle, the Erlauer Rav, what to do. Upon his uncle’s advice, the Daas Sofer moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1940, thus saving himself from the horrors of Worl War II.

Rav Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), rosh yeshivas Bais Medrash Govoah, Lakewood. The son of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Pines, Rav Aharon was known as the "Shislovitzer iluy." At 14 he entered the Slobodka yeshivah, where he learnt under the Alter and HaRav Moshe Mordechai Epstein. He also heard shiurim from Rav Baruch Ber, who had his own yeshiva in one of the suburbs of Slobodka. He married the daughter of R. Isser Zalman Meltzer, head of the yeshivah Etz Chaim 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), Rav Isser Zalman emigrated to Erez Ysrael, and Rav Kotler directed the Etz Chaim for 20 years. With the Soviet occupation of Poalnd in 1939, Rav 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 HaRav Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz. He also headed Agudas Yisrael's Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah.

Rav Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, the Lakewood mashgiach. Rav Nosson was born in Kuhl, Lithuania. His father, R' Moshe Yom Tov was one of the 14 original students of the yeshiva in Slutsk. (Another of these students was R' Aharon Kotler). Rav 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 Yeshivat 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 R' Shimon Shkop, and in Kamenetz, under R' Baruch Ber Lebowitz. Beginning in 1941, R' Nosson joined with R' Aharon Kotler to develop the Lakewood Yeshiva. He left several children, including R' Elya Ber Wachtfogel, rosh yeshiva of the Yeshiva Zichron Moshe in South Fallsburg, New York. (1910-1998)

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

Rav Nachum Weidenfeld of Dombrova, the Chazon Nachum (1875-1939). Born in Hormilov, Galicia, to Rav Yaakov (the Kochav MiYaakov) and Rebbetzin Rachel, a direct descendant of the Shach. One of his brothers, Rav Dov Berish, became famous as the Tchebiner Rav. After the Kochav MiYaakov passed away in 1894, Rav Nachum and his elder brother, Rav Yitzchak, supervised the studies of their younger brother, Rav Dov Berish, who had just celebrated his bar-mitzvah. After marrying his wife, Taibah, he went to live with his in-laws in Yassi, Romania. A year later, he replaced his maternal grandfather, Rav Shabsi HaKohen Rappaport, as the rav of Dombrowa, Galicia. Although Dombrowa was relatively small, it was intensely Jewish, having a population of about 2,400 Jews and 600 gentiles. Jews had lived there since the end of the sixteenth century. Nazi troops seized Dumbrowa on the 8th of September, 1939, only eight days after the war started. At the last possible moment, Rav Nachum fled the town with nothing but his stick and a knapsack. He had sent dozens of manuscripts to his son-in-law in Kolbasov but not one member of that family survived and all his writings were lost.

Dayan Eliezer Posen, born in Frankfurt to Rav Gershon, who was appointed Dayan of the IRG (Jewish Religious Society) by Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch. As a bachur, he learned in Pupa, Hungary, then returned to Frankfurt and married Chulda Falk in 1923. After his marriage,he became magid shiur in the Breuer Yeshiva; he then succeeded his father as Rav of the kehilla in 1932. In 1938, he escaped the growing Nazi menace to England. He was appointed Dayan of the Adas Yisrael shul in 1945. His brother was Rav Shimon Yisrael Posner, the Shoproner Rav of New York. (1892-1969).

Rav Meshulam Yissaschar Ashkenazi of Stamford Hill, London, the Stanislaver Rebbe (1995).

Rav Shilo Raphael, Av Bais Din of Yerushalayim

Rav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky (1921-2000). Born in St. Louis, he learned at Torah Vadaas in his early 20s, while serving in the army. He married Sarah Gartenhaus in 1950 and joined Yeshiva Ner Israel in 1954. He became Rosh yeshiva and replaced Rav Yaakov Weinberg after the latter’s petira. Rav Kulefsky left two sons (Tzvi Hirsch and Nosson) and three daughters [Esther Chana (Abraham), Ettie (Rosenbaum), and Faigi (Gruman)], 40 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. [niftar 3 Kislev; buried 4 Kislev]

Rav Eliyahu Kubo, av beis din of Saloniki, author of Aderes Eliyahu and Sheni Hame’oros Hagedolim (~1628-1688). The Kubo family had immigrated to Greece from Spain during the Spanish expulsion. Rav Eliyahu became Chief Rabbi in Salonika.

Rav Tzvi Hersh Margulies of Lublin (1805)

Rav Yaakov Dovid Kalish (1803-1878), founder of the Amshinov dynasty. Reb Yaakov Dovid’s father was Rav Yitzchak of Vorka, a leading disciple of Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa and a peer of Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. When Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa passed away in 1827, his followers split into two streams, some of them following Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk whose emphasis was on fiery self-discipline, while the remainder adhered to Rav Yitzchak of Vorka whose approach was one of warmth and love. In 1848, when Rav Yitzchak of Vorka passed away, many of his followers wished to follow Rav Yaakov Dovid of Amshinov. He, too, followed the Vorka tradition of kindness and kiruv rechokim. Rav Yaakov Dovid set up court in the town of Mszczonow, Poland, which became known to Jews as Amshinov. There, he became known as the rebbe of Amshinov. Meanwhile, Rav Yaakov Dovid’s brother, Rav Menachem Mendel, continued the Vorki dynasty from their father in Vorki itself (1779-1848). Rav Menachem, the oldest of Rav Yaakov Dovid’s three sons, inherited the mantle of Amshinov from his father for 40 years.

Rav Yaakov Mordechai of Stretin (1954)

Rav Avraham Shmuel Stern, Rosh Yeshivas Toras Chessed in London (1949-2005). Born in Miskolcz, Hungary, to Rav Pinchas Zelig Stern, the Serentcher Rav, he arrived in London with his parents in 1956. Seeing the need for a new chassidish yeshiva in London, Rav Stern founded Toras Chessed 27 years ago. During his entire life, he was close to the Rebbes of Satmar and Pshevorsk.

Rav Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi Eidels, the Maharsha (1631 or 1636); born in Krakow in 1555. His father, Rav Yehuda, was an eminent talmid chacham who descended from Rav Yehuda Hachassid, as well as from Rav Akiva Hakohen Katz, the father-in-law of the Shela Hakadosh. His mother was the granddaughter of Rav Yehuda Loewe, the Maharal of Prague. Rebbetzin Eidel Lifschitz of Pozna, the wealthy widow of Rav Moshe Lifschitz, the rav of Brisk, made a match between her daughter and the Maharsha. She also supported her other son-in-law, Rav 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 and Chiddushei Aggados on Shas.

Rav Dovid Luria (1798-1855), the Radal, was a student of the Rav of Vilna, Rav Shaul Katzenellenbogen. He wrote an important commentary on Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer. He is also known for known as a commentator on Gemara and Midrash. He also composed halachic responsa and a commentary on Rambam's Mishneh Torah. Radal's dedication to learning was legendary. It is said that he did not sleep more than one hour during the short summer nights and three hours in the winter, in addition to an afternoon nap of precisely 12 minutes. In 1854, he was offered the rabbinate of Warsaw. He refused this position despite the encouragement of the Gerrer Rebbe that he take it. However, R' Dovid did involve himself in communal needs, including a meeting in 1846 (together with R' Yitzchak of Volozhin) with Sir Moses Montiefore to address the needs of Russian Jewry.

Rav Asher Anshel Yungreiss (Jungreis; Jungreisz), Czenger (Chenger) Rav, the Menuchas Asher (1806-1873). [according to Hamodia 2005, 27 Elul 1889]

Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Kamenitz (1867-1940). He was born in Slutzk to Reb Shmuel Dovid Leibowitz, who was a close follower of the Rav of Slutzk, Rav Yosef Ber Soleveitchik. At the age of 16, he went to Volozhin and became the talmid muvhak of Rav Chaim Brisker. In 1903, he was invited to be Rosh yeshiva of Kenesses Beis Yitzchak in Slobodka. During World War I, the yeshiva moved to Minsk, and in 1921, to Vilna. Finally, in 1926, it moved to Kamenitz. He was the father-in-law of Rav Reuven Grozovsky, who became his successor. He authored Birkas Shmuel on Shas.

Rav Mordechai Rimer (1928-1999), Mashgiach Ruchni of Yeshivas Kochav M'Yaakov. Born in Munkacz to Rav Binyomin, one of the most prominent Kalushitz Chassidim who was the rosh hakahal of the Sanz beis medrash in the city. Young Mordechai grew up in the home of his grandfather, HaRav Arye Leib Rimer, one of the most prominent Sanzer Chassidim in Kashow. In the winter of 1944, he was taken from the yeshiva of Munkacz, along with his entire family, to the ghetto, and on rosh chodesh Sivan of that year he was taken, along with them, to Auschwitz. Although his entire family was murdered, he lived there until its liberation. After the war, he learned at the Chevron yeshiva under Rav Meir Chodosh. After his marriage in 1950, he learned in the Chevron kollel for another twelve years. At that time, he began to deliver a shiur for baalei batim bnei Torah in the Achva shul, a shiur which he continued to deliver for forty-five years. In 1962, the gaon of Tchebin invited him to be a maggid shiur and mashgiach in his yeshiva, and for thirty- eight years HaRav Mordechai assumed responsibility for the chinuch of the yeshiva's students. During the Yomim Noraim he regularly served as a ba'al tefilla at the Tchebin yeshiva.

Rav Yaakov Moshe Charlap (1883-1951). Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Merkaz Harav and Rav of Yerushalayim's Sha'arei Chessed neighborhood. He was a close disciple of Rav Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook. Author of Mei Marom and Michtavei Marom.

Rav Chaim Michoel Dov Weissmandel, Rosh Yeshiva Nitro (Mt. Kisco, NY) yeshiva, Holocaust rescue activist. Author of Min Ha Metzar (1957).

Rav Shlomo Abu Maaravi -founder of Otzer HaTorah network

Rav Chaim Shmuel Lopian, author of Ravcha Shmaatsa (1998). The son of Rav Eliyahu Lopian, he was amongst the first students in the Gateshead Kollel under Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, in 1942.

Rav Yechezkel Shraga Lipshitz-Halberstam, the Stropkover Rebbe (1908-1994). Born in Stropkov, Czechoslovakia, to Rav Yissacher Dov Lifshitz of Ungvar. His paternal grandfather was Rav Rav Aryeh Leibush from Apta, the Yismach Tzadik, and his maternal grandfather was the Rebbe of Strpov, the Divrei Shalom, who was the son of the Divrei Yechezkel of Shinava, the eldest son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. Rav Yechezkel Shraga’s first public post was as Rav of Yablonka. After a few years there, he became dayan of Bergsas. During WW2, he was sent to Auschwitz, where his wife and five children perished. After the war, he moved to Eretz Yisrael. In 1954, upon the death of his uncle, Rav Menachem of Stropkov, and Rav Yechezkel was appointed Admor by the Sanz elders of Shinava and Stropkov. He authored Divrei Yechezkel Shraga.

Rav Dovid Sinzheim of Strasbourg, France (1745-1812). He served as President of the “Sanhedrin” established by Napolean, the first meeting of which occurred on February 9th, 1807. He was author of Yad Dovid.

Rav Shlomo Binyamin Halevi Ashlag, author of the Peirush Hasulam (1983). [According to others, 10th of Tishrei]

Rav Moshe, author of Mahadura Basra, printed at the back of Gemara (1668)

Rav Eliyahu ben Yehuda Kovo (1630-1688). The son-in-law of Rav Moshe Chaim, who was the son of Rav Chaim Shabsai and the Chief Rabbi of Salonica. After the death of his father-in-law in 1685, he was appointed to be Chief rabbi. He died at a young age due to a plague, which also took the lives of his two sons. He compiled Tana D’bei Eliyahu, a collection of 451 responsa, but most of it was lost. His grandsons managed to collect 26 of them and printed them as Sheilos Uteshuvos Aderes Eliyahu.

Rav Yitzchak Navon (1733-1786). Born in Contantinople, he was the son of Rav Yehudah Navon, author of Kiriyas Melech Rav on the Rambam’s Mishna Torah, and the grandson of Rav Ephraim Navon, author of Machaneh Ephraim. Rav Yitzchak himself wrote Din Emes on the Tur and the Beis Yosef; the sefer was published in Salonika in 1803.

Rav Moshe Shapira of Slavita, son of Rav Pinchas of Koretz (1838).

Rav Avraham Yitzchak of Tunis, author of Mishmeros Kehunah (1864).

Rav Aharon Twersky, the 3rd Rebbe of Chernobyl (1786-1871). Rabbi Aharon was the oldest of the eight sons of Rav Mordechai of Chernobyl, and the grandson of Rav Menachum Nachum, the Meor Einayim of Chernobyl, his childhood teacher. Rav Aharon succeeded his father after the latter’s petira in 1837. He also served as the nasi of the Rabi Meir Baal Haness maos of Eretz Yisrael fund in the Ukraine.

Rav Nachum Dov Schneerson of Ovritch (Ovruch)(1895). Uncle of Rav Yosef Yitzchak, son of the Rebbe Rashab. Ovruch is an historic town in the Zhytomyr province of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Ovrutsky district. {note: Rav Avraham Dov of Ovritch is author of Bas Ayim}

Rav Avraham Mordechai of Kamarna (1941). {RavYitzchak IsaakYehudah Yechiel of Kamarna (1806- 1874). His uncle was Rav Zvi of Zhiditchov. He authored many important Chassidic works such as Heichel Habracha, Derech Emunah, Otzar Mitzvosecha, Zohar Chai, and Megillas Setarim among others.

Rav Pinchas Dovid Horowitz, the Bostoner Rebbe (1876-1941). Born in Yerushalayim to Rav Shmuel Shmelke and Sheyna Elka Horowitz, he was very close to his grandfather, Rav Elazar Mendel of Lelov until the latter’s passing in 1883. He then became a dvote talmid of his uncle, Rav 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 Rav 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. See also

Rav Dovid Borenstein of Sochotchov, the Chasdei Dovid (1876-1942). Born to Rav Shmuel (the Shem MiShmuel), who was the son of the Avnei Nezer. His primary teacher was his grandfather. In 1906, he became the Rav of Vishogrod, Poland. He moved to Loz in the late 1920s. He was very active with Agudas Yisrael and encouraged many to settle in Eretz Yisrael. He died of heart failure in the Warsaw Ghetto. The Sochatchov heritage continued under his brother, Rav Chanoch Henoch, who had established a beis medrash in Bayit Vegan.

Rav Eliezer Geldzahler (1958-2004), born to Rav Eliyahu Yehoshua Geldzahler, founder of Mosdos Ohr Yisrael of Queens and a talmid of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz, Rav Reuven Grozovsky, and Rav Gedaliah Schorr. Rav Eliezer’s mother, Henna Freidel, was the daughter of Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler. As a child, he learned in his father’s yeshiva, where he made a siyum for Gemara Bava Basra before his Bar Mitzvah. As a bachur, he learned at Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov in South Fallsburg under Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel. From there, he went to Yerushalayim to learn in the yeshiva of Rav Dovid Soleveitchik. He spent several years in the Lakewood Kollel. In 1980, he married Baila, the daughter of Rav Michel and Rebbetzin Feige Twersky of Milwaukee. He opened Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael in Brooklyn and served as its Rosh yeshiva, developing a mesivta and a yeshiva gedola. In January of 2004, the bus he was on in Israel was involved in a crash, and he was critically injured. He never recovered from his injuries and passed away 10 months later.

Rav Dov Ber Schneerson of Lubavitch (1773-1827), 2nd Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Mitteler Rebbe. He was the son and successor of his father Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya (the Alter Rebbe), and uncle and father-in-law of the Tzemach Tzedek. Rav 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.

Rav Moshe Mordechai Margulios, Rav and Av Beis Din Cracow, author of Chasdei Hashem (1616)

Rav Pinchas Menachem Elazar Justman (Yustman) of Piltz, the Sifsei Tzadik (1920). He was a grandson of the Chidushei HaRim.

Rav Refael Dabosh of Libya (1926), son of the famous mekkubal from Lybia, Rabbi Frija Dabush. He was Av Beis Din in Tripoli.

Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein (1866-1934), rosh yeshiva of Slabodka and Chevron yeshivos. Born in the town of Bakst in the Vilna district, he learned at Volozhin while still quite young. After his marriage in 1889, he moved to Kovno. Three years later, one of his sisters married Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, one of the greatest of Rav Chaim Soleveitchik’s students. The two developed a close relationship. In 1894, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel offered both of them positions at Yeshiva Kenesses Yisrael of Slobodka. He authored Levush Mordechai. Both Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer and Rav Moshe Mordechai married daughters of Reb Shraga Frank, one of the wealthiest men in Kovno, and in whose attic Rav Yisrael Salanter began teaching mussar to Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel and Rav Yitzchak Blazer.

Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1954), author of Even HaEzel, rosh yeshiva of Slutsk and Eitz Chaim-Yerushalayim, disciple of Netziv, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, and the Chafetz Chaim. Father-in-law of Rav Aharon Kotler, and uncle of Rav Shach.His wife was descended from Rav Meir Eisenstadt, author of Ponim Meiros. Both Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer and Rav Moshe Mordechai married daughters of Reb Shraga Frank, one of the wealthiest men in Kovno, and in whose attic Rav Yisrael Salanter began teaching mussar to Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel and Rav Yitzchak Blazer.

• The Fourth Lataran Council in 1215 marked the zenith of Papal power. During the papacy of Pope Innocent III (1161-1215) old anti-Jewish decrees were expanded and Jews compelled to wear a yellow “Badge of Shame” to distinguish them from Christians. It was enforced in France, England, Germany and later in Hungary.
• All Jewish wine was dumped by Arabs and heavy fines imposed on the Jewish community of Yerushalayim, 1521.The Arabs blamed the Jewish use of wine for a severe water shortage.
• King Maximilian II attempted to expel the Jews of Pressburg, stating that his edict would be recalled only if they accepted Christianity, 1572. The Jews remained in the city without abandoning their religion.
• 27,000 Jews of the Riga ghetto taken for execution, 1941
• Himmler ordered the destruction of Auschwitz’s crematoria to hide all evidence of the mass murders, 1944.

Rav Yehoshua Katz, Rav in Krakow (1734)

Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Halevi of Pressburg, author of Imrei Ravrevei (1762). =

Rav Simcha Ashkenazi of Dessau [Dasseau] (1785)

Rav Yechiel Heller, Rav of Sovalk [Suvalk]. Among his sefarim are Shailos U'Teshuvos Amudei Ohr, Ohr Yesharim on the Haggadah, Oteh Ohr on Shir HaShirim, and Kinah L'Dovid which was a hesped on Rav Dovid Luria. He was niftar at the age of 47. (1861; according to some, 1867)

Rav Yitzchak Friedman (1924). Born in Sadigura, both of his parents were grandchildren of the Ruzhiner Rebbe. In 1903, he married, and with the passing of his father, he set up his court in Rimanov. He was niftar during a fund-raising expedition in the United States. A close friend and relative collected hespedim for the Rebbe in a sefer called Akeidas Yitzchak.

• A Jewish community which had existed since Roman times is expelled from Naples, 1510, fifteen years after the Spanish conquest of the island
• Death of Baruch Spinoza, a Jewish heretic who was excommunicated in Amsterdam for his philosophy of pantheism, 1677.
• Hans Frank, the Nazi Gov. of Poland, required Jews to wear a blue star, 1939.
• 7,000 Minsk Jews executed 1942

Ravina II Bar Shmuel (c. 475), who completed the codification of the Talmud Bavli begun earlier by Rav Ashi. His petirah marks the end of the period of Amoraim.

Rav Shlomo Luria Ashkenazi, the Maharshal (1510-1574) of Lublin; author of the Yam Shel Shlomo, a halachic commentary on 16 tractates of the Talmud (only 7 of which are still extant). His Chochmas Shlomo, glosses on the text of the Talmud and comments, is printed in the standard editions of the Talmud.

Rav Yitzchak Lampronti (1679-1756), author of Pachad Yitzchak, the first major Talmudic encyclopedia ever assembled. He was also moreh tzedek in Ferera, Italy, and the teacher of the Ramchal

Rav Avraham Dov Auerbach of Avritch and Tzefas (1765-1840). He was a disciple of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev and the first two Rebbes of Chernobyl. Rebbe of Avritch from 1785, he moved to Tzefas in 1830 at the age of 65. He is the author of Bas Ayin, a commentary on Chumash. In the deadly earthquake of 24 Tevet 5597 (January 1, 1837), 5,000 people lost their lives, of whom 4,000 were Jews. Although most of the shul of the Avritcher Rebbe collapsed, the part where the men were clustered remained upright and everyone was saved. He is buried in the old cemetery of Tzefas.

Rav Yehoshua Moshe Aharonson of Petach Tikva (1910-1993). Born in Warsaw, he was was named rabbi of Sanok in 1937. In the winter of early 1940, he was appointed to the Beis Din of Warsaw. In March 1942, he was deported to the Konin labor camp, near Chelmno. The Konin camp was liquidated in the summer of 1943. Rabbi Aharonson was taken to Hohensalza, and afterwards to Auschwitz 3 (Buna). In 1945 he was transferred from Auschwitz to Buchenwald and then taken on a death march to Theresienstadt, where he was liberated. He subsequently moved to Eretz Israel, where he served as a rabbi in Petach Tikva and Emmanuel. His writings were collected in the book Alei Merorot.

Ravina berei D'rav Huna (499 or 421 CE). Rosh Metivta of Sura. He, together with his teacher, Rav Ashi, collected and commented upon the Gemara of what would henceforth be known as the Talmud Bavli.

Rav Yisrael Taub of Modzhitz, author of Divrei Yisrael (1849-1920). He was the son of Rav Shmuel Eliyahu Taub of Zvolin (1888) and the grandson of Rav Yechezkel Taub of Kuzmir (1856), who was one of the students of the Chozeh of Lublin. He became the first Rebbe of Modzhitz and was succeeded by his son, Shaul Yedidya Elazer. Legend has it that in 1913 Taub composed a 30-minute negun while having his leg amputated without anesthesia.
Rav Yisrael Friedman, the second Tchortkover Rebbe (1934 or 1932)

Rav Shalom Hadayah of Aram Tzova (1864-1944). The lineage of his father, Rav Moshe Chaim Hadayah, could be traced back to Rav Saadyah Gaon. Rav Shalom's mother, Rebbetzin Sabatyah, was the grand-daughter of Rav Yitzchak Attiah, author of the Zera Yitzchak. Reb Shalom’s father passed away when he was only three. At the age of 20, he married Sarah, the daughter of Rav Yitzchak Labaton, one of the most outstanding rabbanim and dayanim of Aram Tzova. When Rav Yitzchak moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1888, he took Rav Shalom and his family with him. In 1891, Rav Shalom had to return to Aram Tzova. While there, he was stricken with an eye ailment and nearly lost his eyesight. Despite that, he wrote a sefer, Shalom LaAm, which focuses on the issues of doing tzedakah and chessed, particularly on behalf of Torah students and scholars. In 1896, Rav Shalom moved to Eretz Yisrael permanently, first settling in the Bucharian Quarter, then moving to the Ohel Moshe neighborhood. In 1904, Rav Shalom was appointed moreh tzedek in the beis din of Rav Vidal Anjel and Rav Baruch Elnekavah. In 1930, he was appointed raavad (rosh av beis din) of all the Sephardic communities in Yerushalayim. In 1927, Yerushalayim's chief kabbalist, and rosh yeshivah of Bais Keil, Rav Mas'ud HaKohen Elchaded, passed away and Rav Shalom was appointed his successor. Besides Shalom LaAm, the other sefarim Rav Shalom wrote were: Dover Shalom, responsa on the Arba Turim; HaChaim v'HaShalom, a series of Torah extrapolations; and Shalom v'Tzedek. His son, Rav Ovadyah, was a prominent rosh mesivta in the Porat Yosef yeshivah. When the Jordanians conquered the Old City, Yeshivas Bais Keil was destroyed and Rav Ovadyah reestablished it in his own home in the new city. After the Six-Day War, he reestablished the yeshivah in the Old City.

Reuven ben Yaakov Avinu (1567 BCE-1442 BCE)

Rav Menashe ben Yisrael of Amsterdam, author of Nishmas Odom. He was as friend of Rembrandt van Rijn, 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 Menachem Nachum of Shtefanesht, Romania, one of the 5 sons of Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin (1823-1869). He was succeeded by his son, Rav Avraham Matisyahu, when the latter was 21 years old.

Rav Dovid Abuchatzeira (1919)

Rav Mordechai Yaakov Breish of Zurich, the Chelkas Yaakov (1895-1976). Born in Skohl, Galicia, his father was a chassid of Rav Yissachar Dov of Belz. He married in 1920, and the couple lived in Lvov. He became Rav in Alesk, and then in 1928 of Disbourg, Germany. In 1933, he published Tikun Eruvin, a detailed examination of the halachos of eruvin involved in his project of making a community eruv to help his mispalelim, who were otherwise carrying on Shabbos. Following a life-threatening incident with the Nazis, who had just come to power, Rav Mordechai Yaakov and his wife decided to escape Germany. After a brief time in Lance, France, they settled in Zurich, Switzerland, where he nurtured the Jewish community for 40 years. In 1967, he established the Kollel Le’horaah Chelkas Yaakov in Bnai Brak.

Reb Yehuda HaNasi, son of Rav Shimon ben Gamliel, and redactor of the Mishna (120-192 CE) [193, according to Hamodia 2006, 219CE, according to Yated 2007]

Rav Avraham Ibn Ezra (the second), author of Batei Kenesiyos (1760).

Rav Ze’ev of Zhitomer, the Ohr Hamei’ir (1799)

Rav Eliezer Fishel of Brody (1811)

Rav Simcha Bunim Sofer of Pressburg (1842-1906), author of Shaarei Simcha and Shevet Sofer. Born in Pressburg, Hungary (now Bratslava, Slovakia), he was the son of the Kesav Sofer, the grandson of the Chasam Sofer, and a great-grandson of Rav Akiva Eiger. He succeeded his father as Rav and Rosh Yeshiva in Preessburg in 1872, at the age of 29, the yeshiva housing over 400 talmidim at the time. He himself was succeeded by his son, Rav Akiva Sofer, the Daas Sofer. Interestingly, three continuous generations – the Chasam Sofer, the Kesav Sofer, and the Shevet Sofer – all served as Rav of Pressburg for 33 years. When Rav Akiva Sofer neared his 33rd year as Rav, he asked his uncle, the Erlauer Rav, what to do. Upon his uncle’s advice, the Daas Sofer moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1940, thus saving himself from the horrors of Worl War II.

Rav Raphael Even Tzur, Rav of Fez, Morocco (1916)

Rav Dovid Twersky of Skver (1919).

Rav Dovid Hakohen Leibowitz (1890-1941). Born in Warsaw, he studied in the yeshiva of Radin as a teenager, where he held private study sessions with his great-uncle, the Chafetz Chaim for 12 hours a day. In 1908, upon the recommendation of his saintly great uncle, Rav Dovid went to learn in the Slabodka Yeshiva, under the direction of the Alter of Slabodka, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel. In 1915, Rav Leibowitz succeeded his father-in-law as Rav of Selechnik. After six years, however, he returned to Slobodka as a founding member of the Slabodka Kollel. Every member of the Kovno Kollel had to commit himself to one year of traveling abroad and raising funds for the Kollel. That is what brought Rav Dovid to America in 1926. While there, he was offered the job as rosh yeshiva of Mesivta Torah Vodaas. Among his students were Rav Gedalya Schorr and Rav Avraham Pam. In 1933, Rav Leibowitz founded Yeshivas Rabbenu Yisrael Meir Hacohen (better known today as the Chafetz Chaim Yeshiva/Rabbinical Seminary of America in Forest Hills, N.Y.) There he transplanted to the United States his unique style of Talmud study as well as the Slabodka school of mussar. The yeshiva has been headed for the past half-century by his son, Rav Henach Leibowitz.

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

Rav Shaul Yedidya Elazar Taub (the Imrei Shaul), the second Modzitzer Rebbe. Born in Osherov. (1886-1947). He assumed the leadership of Modzitz upon the passing of his father Rav Yisrael, the Divrei Yisrael, in 1920. From 1940 until 1947 the Rebbe resided in Brooklyn New York. Reb Shaul was probably the most prolific chassidic composer of all time with the total output numbering close to 1000 compositions.

Rav Dovid Leib Schwartz of Bnei Brak, “Der Heiliger Tzadik” (1999)

Rav Menachem Kalish of Amshinov (1860-1917). Succeeded his father, Rav Yaakov Dovid Kalish in 1878, at the young age of 18. One of Rav Menachem's sons, Rav Yosef, became Rebbe in Amshinov, while his second son, Rav Shimon Shalom, became a Rebbe in Otvotsk. When Rav Yosef passed away, in 1935, his son, Rabbi Yaakov Dovid (1906-1942), was immediately appointed as his successor. His uncle, Rav Shimon Shalom, had fled to Shanghai where he helped the Mir yeshivah escape and, after the war, he went to America. Upon his passing in 1954, he was succeeded by his son, Rav Yerachmiel Yehuda Meir, who set up court in the Yerushalayim neighborhood of Bayit Vegan. Rav Yerachmiel Yehuda Meir's grandson, Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Milikowski, succeeded him in 1976. Rav Yitzchak Kalish, the son of Rav Yosef, became the Rebbe of Amshinover chassidim in America. Of Amshinov itself, nothing remained.

Rav Yosef Yoizel Horowitz, Alter from Novardok (1849[1858]-1919). Born in the Lithuanian town of Plongian to Rav Shlomo Zalman, Rav and Dayan of the town, Rav Yosef Yoizel joined Kovno's Kollel Perushim where he studied under Rav Itzele Blazer, Rav Naftali Amsterdam and Rav Avraham Shenker, spending at least 18 hours a day - most of the time standing- studying. He also spent two lengthy periods learning in solitude – first, he secluded himself in a small room for a year and a half after tragically losing his first wife during childbirth; later, learning in a room in a forest for 12 years, leaving only to visit his family for Shabbosim. In 1894, Rav Yosef Yoizel began to visit the Alter of Kelm, Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv. Later, he established a large yeshiva in Novorodok and was responsible for creating a whole network of yeshivas. During the War, in 1914, he moved the yeshiva – with its bachrim – to Hommel in the Ukraine, as the Germans advanced on Novardok. In 1918, he moved it to Kiev.
Rav Chai Taib of Tunisia, author of HaLev Hitin (1835)

Rav Shlomo Heiman, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Elyon, Tora Vodaas (1893-1944). Born in Parenz, near Minsk, Reb Shlomo entered the yeshiva in Halusk at age 12, where he learned under Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz. He remained there until 1917, when he married Chaya Feiga Rudensky of Volozhin. That year, he was appointed by Rav Baruch Ber to serve as Rosh Yeshiva in Knesses Bais Yitzchak. When anti-Semitic harassment forced him to leave the area, the Chafetz Chaim asked Rav Shlomo to teach in his yeshiva. When WWI ended, Rav Elchonon Wasserman asked Rav Shlomo to be a Rosh Yeshiva in Baranovitch. In 1927 Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzenski invited Rav Shlomo to be Rosh Yeshiva of the Ramailles Yeshiva in Vilna, a position he held for almost eight years. In 1935, with Rav Chaim Ozer's approval, Rav Shlomo accepted an invitation to head Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. Thus he was spared, through hashgocho pratis, the horrors of WWII. Since he arrived in America a few years before the onset of the Holocaust, he was able to aid in the rescue of Bnei Torah and Rebbeim.

Rav 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, Rav Eliezer Rakovsky (d. 1996) and his great grandson, Rav Baruch Rakovsky.

Rabbeinu Avraham ben HaRambam, the only son of the Rambam, born to him by his 2nd wife. Born in Fostat, Egypt (1186-1238). Author of Hamaspik L'avdei Hashem.

Rav Aryeh Leib Darshan of Posen (1736)

Rav Baruch of Mezhbizh (1756 [or 1753] -1811), son of Rav Yechiel Ashkenazi and Adel, the only daughter of the Baal Shem Tov. Educated by Rav Pinchas of Koritz and the Maggid of Mezritch, he began serving as Rebbe in Tulchin. After the passing of his older brother, the Degel Machane Ephraim in 1798, Rav Baruch settled in Mezhibizh.

Rav Yekusiel Shmelke of Sassov (1857)

Rav Yosef Yitzchak of Ovritch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, and father of Rebbitzen Shterna Sarah who was the wife of the Rebbe RaShaB (1877).

Rav Mordechai Alishberg of Boisk (1889)

Rav Chaim Tzvi Ehrenreich, author of ShU”T Kav Chaim (1875-1936). Born in Savrantz, his grandfather was Rav Avraham Yehuda Scwartz, the Kol Aryeh. His primary teacher was brother, Rav Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich, Rav of Shamlau and author of Lechem Shlomo. Rav Chaim Tzvi became Rav of the Mahd community when he was 57, succeeding his father-in-law. He was also Av Beis Din of Mahd for over thirty years. In 1923, he published Ketzeit Hamteh on the mateh Ephraim (by Rav Ephraim Zalman Margulies of Brodt) on the halachos of Chodesh Elul and Chodesh Tishrei. In 1932, he published Shaarei Chaim on Shaarei Epharim, dealing with halachos of krias Hatorah. His magnus opus, Kav Chaim,, comprised 102 (gematria of Kav) Teshuvos in practical halacha.

Rav Eliezer Zev Rosenbaum of Rackov (1998)

Rav Tzvi Menachem Teller, Rosh Yeshiva at the Bais Medrash L’Torah (Skokie Yeshiva) (1951-2007). His parents were Gerrer Chasidim from distinguished lineage, descended from Rav Yitzchok of Vorki. Upon advice of the Gerrer Rebbe, the Bais Yisroel, young Tzvi Teller went to a Lithuanian style Yeshiva. He learned at the Ponovezh Yeshiva for seven years as a talmid of Rav Dovid Povarsky and Rav Shmuel Rozovsky. After marrying, the couple moved to Seattle where Rav Tzvi became a principal for 3 years. In 1975, they then moved to Skokie.

Rav Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch (1704-1772). Born in Lukatch to Reb Avraham, he was descended from Rav Hai Gaon and Rav Yochanan Hasandler, a descendent of Dovid Hamelech. Rav Dov Ber learned with the Pnei Yehoshua in Lemberg early in his life. In 1752, he became the Baal Shem Tov’s closest disciple. Among his students were the Rebbe Reb Shmuel Shmelke HaLevi Horowitz and his brother, Reb Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz, the Baal HaFloh, the Rebbe Reb Zushia and his brother, Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchiv, Rav Nachum of Chernobyl, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi. His son was Rav Avraham HaMalach (1740-1776). The classic anthologies of his teachings are Likutei Amarim, Torah Ohr, and Ohr HaEmmes.

Rav Moshe Tzvi Neriyeh, Beis Midrash Lamed Daas (1995)

Rav Menachem Nachum of Tolna (1915)

Rav Shaul Mekiketz Shelai, born in Djerba, one of the two main cities in Tunisia, son of Rav Matuk Sali, and grandson of Emmanuel Shelai. At an early age, he leaned under rav Dovid HaKohen, and at age 20, he began to teach in the yeshiva of Rav Yosef Bereibi, the Ben Porat Yosef. With the latter’s passing, Rav Shaul became the Rosh Yeshiva. Rav Shaul edited and annotated many sefarim by previous gedolim of Djerba, including Kisei Rachamim by Rav Rachamim Mazuz and Ben Porta Yosef by Rav Yosef Bereibi. Later in life, he and his wife moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Shlomi, near Nahariya. In Yisrael, he wrote Midrasho shel Shlomo in 1948 and Karmi Sheli (on Kiddushin) and Medrash Avos (on Avos) in 1963, as well as other writings. His final work, Bayit Va’Shem was published posthumously in 1975. Appended to it is Va’Yatek Mi’Sham, offering guidelines and insightsd on raising children.

Rav Baruch Hager of Seret-Viznitz, the Imrei Baruch (1892). The son of Rav Menachem Mendel Hager, Rav Baruch was Rebbe for only eight years, and was niftar at a young age. His son, Rav Yisrael Hager (the Ahavas Yisrael), was born when Rav Baruch was only 15 years old. (2 Kislev according to Yated 2005)

Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Rosh Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, author of Pachad Yitzchak (1907-1981). His uncle, R’ Benzion Ostrover, had been a disciple of Rav Mendel of Kotzk, and was instrumental in providing his young nephew with a direct link to the world of Chasidus. At the age of 15, he went to Slobodka and was directed by the Alter, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel. In 1925, he entered the new Slabodka branch in Chevron, where he also met and learned from Rav A. I. Kook. He remained until 1929, after which he returned to his parents in Warsaw. He became a personal tutor for Rav Moshe Solevetchik’s son, Aharon. In 1932, he published his Toras HaNazir, a commentary on the Rambam’s Hilchos Nazir. In 1933, he married Masha Lipshitz and moved to Eretz Yisrael. Despite his great attachment to the Land, they left for America one year later, not to return for 30 years. He built Yeshiva Chaim Berlin to his specifications with his famous blend of Torah philosophies. Among his talmidim are Rav Yitzchak Shurin, grandson of Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky. Among his colleagues at Slobodka were R' Yitzchak HaLevi Ruderman, R' Reuven Grozovsky; R' Yaakov Kamenetsky; and R' Aharon Kotler. In 1949 he began publishing his discourses on morals and ethics which he subtitled, Divrei Torah B’inyanei Hilchot Deos V’Chovos Halevovos. As a young man he wrote Toras Hanazir on the Rambam’s Hilchos Nezirus. He wrote a profound commentary (Kovetz Heaaros) on Rabbeinu Hillel on the Safra. His discourses on Yomim Tovim and Shabbos (Pachad Yitzchok) are collected in seven volumes.

Rav Yochanan Twersky, the Rachmastrika Rebbe. He was also the cousin of the Belzer Rebbe. He was shot by the Nazis during Friday night prayers. His daughter, Malka married the first Boyaner Rebbe, Reb Yitzchak Friedman, the Pachad Yitzchak. (1981)

Rav Meshulam Feivish HaLevi of Zbarazh, author of Yosher Divrei Emes, a basic work on chasidic thought (1794). He studied under R. Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov and R. Dov Ber of Mezritch. His teachings appear in Likutim Yekarim. His disciples included Rav Menachem Mendel of Kosov.

Rav Feivish of Kremenitz, the Mishnas Chachamim (1774)

Rav Hirsh Paley (1911-2006 [?]). Born in Shklov, Lithuania, to Rav Avraham Noach Paley, a close talmid of Rav Baruch Ber Leibovitz. The family immigrated to Eretz Yisrael when Rav Hirsh was fourteen. His father became the mashgiach in Yeshivas Chevron. Rav Hirsh would travel with his lifelong friend Rav Shalom Schwadron to hear Rav Elya Lopian in Yerushalayim, whom he considered his rebbi muvhak and and moreh derech. Rav Hirsh was the last surviving member of the Chevron community following the 1929 riots. In 1965, he married Menuchah, the daughter of Rav Shlomo Zalman Pines. She had been one of the first talmidos of Sara Schenirer and served as a mechaneches in Beis Yaakov Schools for over six decades, both in Tel Aviv and in Yerushalayim. They moved to Tel Aviv, where Rav Hirsh studied in Kollel Heichal HaTalmud, founded by his father. He later became mashgiach at Chevron Yeshiva.

Shimon ben Yaakov Avinu (1566-1446 B.C.E.) [24 Kislev per Yated 2007]

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

Rav Yaakov Meir Padwa of Brisk, author of Mekor Mayim Chaim, a commentary on Shulchan Aruch.

Rav Yochanan Perlow, the seventh Rebbe (sixth, per Yated 2006) of the Stolin-Karlin dynasty (1900-1956). Born in Stolin, a suburb of Pinsk, White Russia, to Rav Yisrael, the “Yanuka” of Stolin. After his father was niftar in 1921, his six sons split the succession: Rav Moshe became rebbe in Stolin; Rav Avraham Elimelech took over in Karlin; Rav Yaakov moved to the U.S. in 1923 to lead the Karlin community that already had four shuls in New York and one shtiebel in Detroit. He became known as the Detroiter Rebbe. Rav Yochanan moved to Poland where he became a rebbe in Lutsk, capital of the Volhynia district. Among the 41,000 people in Lutsk were 18,000 Jews. After the Nazis entered Lutsk on June 25, 1941, they herded the Jews into a ghetto in December, and the following August, they dragged 17,500 of them outside the town and murderously gunned them down. The last survivors, Jewish workers in the local labor camp, mounted a heroic but hopeless revolt on December 11, after learning that they, too, were about to be liquidated. Only about 150 Lutsk Jews survived the war. Rav Yochanan, his wife and two daughters fled into the surrounding forests and made their way deep into Russia with groups of partisans. After being deported to Siberia and personally burying his wife and elder daughter there on the same day, Rav Yochanan somehow survived the war. He lost almost his entire family; only one daughter, Faige, survived. He moved to Haifa in 1946, then to America two years later. While in New York, he founded the Karlin-Stolin Torah Institutions and published the new Siddur Beis Aharon v'Yisrael, comprising Karlin-Stolin minhagim. Rav Yochanan's grandson, Rav Baruch Yaakov Meir Shochet, became the next Stolin-Karlin Rebbe. He composed the poem "Kah Echsof Noam Shabbos" that is printed in most editions of Shabbos Zemiros.

Rav Eliezer (or Elazar) Ashkenazi, author of Ma'asei Hashem (1512-1585). Born in Turkey, he studied with Rav Yosef Taitatzak (1465-1546) in Salonica. He served as a rabbi in Egypt from 1538 to 1561. For unknown reasons, he was compelled to leaved, serve in Famagusta, Cyprus, then to Venice, Italy. Due to a disagreement with Rav Shmuel Yehudah Katzenellengogen, he moved to Prague, where he helped develop the chevra kadisha, on which others are based. After a year, he moved back to Italy and lived in Cremona. In 1578, he moved to Posen, Poland and took his final post. He retired to Cracow, where he lived hism last few years.

Rav Meshulem Mirels, father-in-law of the Chacham Tzvi (1686).

Rav Pinchas of Ostroha (1805).

Rav Yechezkel Panet, Av Bais Din of De'esh (Dezh), Chief Rabbi of Transylvania and author of Mar’eh Yechezkel and Kenesses Yechezkel. (1783-1845) (1929, according to Hamodia 2006)

Rav Yoel Ashkenazi of Zlotchov (1906), brother-in-law of Rav Yosef Yoel Deutsch of Kretchinef, Hungary, author of Yad Yosef (1859).

Rav Chaim Kesar (Chassar), Rav in the Yemenite community in Israel (1997)

Rav Shalom Mordechai Schwadron, Yerushalmi maggid (1913-1997), brother-in-law of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. He was named for his grandfather, the Maharsham, the leading posek in Galicia before World War I. He lost his father at age seven, and for a time lived in an orphanage. After his bar mitzvah he studied in the Lomzer Yeshiva in Petach Tikvah, and later in the Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim under Rav Yehuda Leib Chasman. After his marriage, he continued his studies in Kollel Ohel Torah. The kollel's members included Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Rav Shmuel Wosner. In addition to his renown as a maggid, he published approximately 25 of his grandfather's works, as well as Lev Eliyahu (of Rab Elya Lopian), and the writings of Rav Chasman, Ohr Yohel.

Rav Yosef Chaim Klein. Born in New York, he learned at Torah Vodaas. His rebbe muvhack was Rav Shlomo Heiman. He subsequently learned under Rav Reuven Grozovsky at Beis Midrash Elyon in Monsey. His last 40 years were spent as menahel of the mesivta of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn. (1922-2004)

Rav Dovid of Novhardok (1837), author of Galya Maseches

Rav Dovid Teveli Shiff, author of Lashon Zahav, and the son of Shlomo Zalman HaKohen Shiff

Rav Elimelech of Tosh (now Nytass), Hungary (1946). Son of the founder of the Tosher dynasty, Rav Meshulem Feish Lowy.

Rav Shabsai Yudelevitz, Yerushalmi maggid (1924-1996).

Rav Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, the Sdei Chemed (1832-1904). Rav Chaim was born in Yerushalayim and was married at 18. After his father was niftar two years later, Rav Chaim’s cousins in Constantinople offered to support his learning if he moved there. After 13 years in Turkey, he took a position of Rav in the small city of Karasubazar in Crimea. He served there for 33 years, fighting the forces of the Kariites, before moving back to Yerushalayim. He lived there for 2 years, then moved to Chevron, where he was appointed Rav of the city in 1880. His Sdei Chemed is a monumental, universally-acclaimed 18-volume Talmudic and halachic encyclopedia.

Rav Avraham, son of the Vilna Gaon (1808)

Rav Yaakov Ettlinger (1798-1871), son of Rav Aharon, rosh yeshiva of the local mesivta in Karlsruhe, Germany and grandson of the Shaagas Aryeh. In 1823, he was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of the Beis Midrash in Mannheim, and 12 years later he became Rav and Rosh Yeshiva of Altona. He authored many sefarim, including Aruch LeNer, Binyan Tzion, Bikurei Yaakov. He gave smicha to Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch after the latter learned with him for barely a year.

Rav Avraham Mordechai Nissim Harari Raful

Rav Yochanan Twersky, the Tolna Rebbe (1906-1988). He was the son of Reb Dovid Mordechai in Tultchin, where his grandfather, Rav Menachem Nachum was Rav. The latter had moved there from Tolna a year earlier.

Rav Raphael Avraham Sharabi (1875-1927). Son of Rav Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi, he was active in helping the victims of the Damascus blood libel. He authored Divrei Shalom.

Rav Chaim of Antineya, the Tal Chaim (1931)

Rav Avraham ben Dovid, Ravad III, also known as the Baal Hasagos (1121-1198). The 3rd of three great Jews named Avraham ben Dovid who lived in the same era, this Rav Avraham was born in Provence in the small village of Puskeiras (Posquières) to a wealthy and prominent man who was close to Prince Roger. At the age of 12 he went to Lunel to study with Rav Meshulem ben Moshe, author of Hashlama on the Rif. He married the daughter of Rav Avraham ben Yitzchak, Av Beis Din (known as Raavad II), the author of Ha’Eshkol. He then learned in the yeshiva of Narbonne, headed by Rav Yosef ben Marven Halevi. The Ravad's brief critical notes to the Mishneh Torah are known for their abrasive quality. He objected to the Rambam’s methodology of presenting normative rulings without indication of their sources of rationales. In his later years, he learned kabala, and his two sons, Rav Dovid and Rav Yitzchak Sagi Nahor, were among Provence’s first kabalists. Among the Ravad III’s greatest students were Rav Yitzchak Hacohen of Narbonne (the first commentator of the Yerushalmi), Rav Avraham ben Natan HaYarchi (author of HaManhig), Rav Meir Ben Yitzchak (author of HaEzer), and Rav Asher ben Meshulem of Lunel.

Rav Elazar of Kozhnitz [Kozienice](1863). Son of Rav Yisrael, the Kozhnitzer Maggid, his thoughts are recorded in Likutei Mahara. One of his disciples was Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib haLevi Epstein (1837-1914), "Rebbe Leibush the Second," author of Birkas Tov.

Rav Meshulam Roth (1875-1962). Born in Gorodenka, Galicia (now in Ukraine), his teachers in Talmud and halachah were Rav Yaakov Weidenfeld (rabbi of Grimaylov and father of the Tschebiner Rav, Dov Berish Weidenfeld), Rav Avraham Mendel Steinberg (rabbi of Brody) and Rav Meir Arik (rabbi of Bucach, and perhaps the leading Galician sage of the period). For a time, Rav Roth also studied with Rav Yehuda Modern of Sighet, from whom he gained a strong attachment to the works of the Chasam Sofer. After his marriage, he was elected rabbi of Chorostkiv (Ukraine). Rav Roth was eventually elected rabbi of Shatz (Suceava, Romania) and later Czernowitz (Tchernovitz), Ukraine, where he witnessed the community's destruction during the Holocaust. In 1944, Rav Roth managed to escape to Eretz Yisrael. [16 Kislev, according to Yated 2006 and 2007]

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

Rav Dovid Hersh Mayer, Rosh Yeshiva, Beis Binyomin, Stamford (CT) (1947-2002). Son of Rav Yitzchak Zev Mayer (Nitra, Czechoslovakia), author of Maharsha Ha’aruch, a close friend of Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandl. His mother, Leah, was the main character in the famous story of the woman who demanded a knife for her newborn son as she was being taken away to a concentration camp; she then circumcised her 8-day child. The child was Rav Dovid Hersh’s older brother, Menashe. The family survived and moved to America. Rav Dovid Hersh learned at the Nitra yeshiva in Mount Kisco, NY, then at Lakewood. He was close to Rav Shneur Kotler and Rav Nosson Wachtfogel and was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles Kollel. He founded Beis Binyomin in 1977.

Rav Tzvi Hersh Rosanish, author of Tesha Shitos (1804). He was the son of Rav Yisachar Dovrish, Av Beis Din of Podhajce, and grandson of Rav Yaakov Yehoshua of Krakow and Lvov, author of the Pnei Yehoshua.

Rav Chaim (Tirar) Tchernovitz (or Chernovitzer) (1760-1816), author of Be’er Mayim Chaim. Born near Butchatch, Galicia (now Poland), he studied under Rav Tzvi Hersh of Botchatch and became a chassid of Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov, Rav Shmelke of Nikolsburg and the Maggid of Mezritch. He became Rav in Tchernovitch in the Bukovina province of Romania, in 1789, and he remained there for 23 years. In 1812, war broke out, and Bukovina was annexed by Austria. The new government issues harsh anti-semitic decrees, resulting in Rav Chaim’s departure, first to Botchan, then to Eretz Yisrael.. He settled in Tzefas, where he lived privately for the last 5 years of his life. He is buried in Tzefas.

Rav Yechiel Mechel of Galina (1866). Son-in-law of Rebbe Meir of Premishlan

Rav Shaul Margulis of Lublin (1887)

Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kahan (Kohn; Kahn), the Toldos Aharon rebbe (1914-1996). Born to Shaindel Bracha of Tzefas and named for his great-granfather, Rav Yitzchak Avraham Heller of Tzefas, Rav Avraham 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 town’s yeshiva, headed by Rav Avraham Freund (father of Rav Moshe Aryeh Freund, later to head the Badatz in Yerushalayim). He eventually moved to the yeshiva of Krulle, headed by Rav Yoel Teitelbaaum, and he moved with the yeshiva to Satmar. He became very close to Rav Aharon (Arele) Roth, founder of Shomrei Emunim of Meah Shearim, and later married his daughter. When his mentor was nifter in 1947, Rav Avraham Yitzchak became his successor. He authored Divrei Emunah. Following his petira, two of his sons became Rebbes. The younger son, Rav Duvid Kahn of Monsey, a disciple of the Satmar Rebbe, became the Toldos Aharon Rebbe. The eldest son, Rav Shmuel Yaakov Kahn, a disciple of the Viznitzer Rebbe, became a Rebbe of a group that was entitled Toldos Avraham Yitzchak named after his father, whose main Beis Medrash is also in Meah Shearim, one block away from the Toldos Aharon building. Another son is a Rosh Yeshiva in Kiryas Yoel, New York.
Rav Avraham Yitzchak was said to have instructed his followers to learn the works of Rav Aharon HaLevi of Staroselye (Strashelye), which include "Shaarei HaYichud VeHaEmunah," "Shaarei Avoda," and "Avodas HaLevi."

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

Rav Avraham Ravigo (1714). Born in Modena, Italy, he became highly esteemed as both a supporter of Torah and as a great Torah scholar himself. He and a party of 25 set sail from Livorno, Italy, for Eretz Yisrael in 1702. When they arrived in Yerushalayim, his wife, daughter, and closest disciple died in a plague. He opened a yeshiva; among the ten Rabbanim who learned there was the son-in-law of Rav Yehudah HaChasid. After the petirah of Rav Rav Moshe ben Chaviv, Rav Avraham was appointed Rishon Letzion. However, he passed away during one of his trips abroad trying to raise funds. His talmid, Rav Mordechai ben Yehudah Leib Ashkenazi, wrote Eshel Avraham on the Zohar and other Kabalistic teachings that he received from Rav Avraham.

Rav Avraham Madjar (1834). Av Beis Din in Yerushalayim author of Divrei Shalom.

Rav Baruch Dovid Twersky of Klintowitz, author of Vayevarech Dovid (1925)

Rav Ezra Hamway, Ra’avad of Aram Tzova in Syria (1945)

Rav Eliahu Meir Bloch (1894-1955). Born on Simchas Torah in the small Lithuanian city of Telshe to Rav Yosef Leib, Rav and Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe, having assumed the helm of the yeshivah from his father-in-law, Rav Eliezer Gordon, the founder of the Yeshivah. After his marriage, he spent 12 years as a Rosh Yeshiva at Telshe. When it became clear that the Yeshivah could not continue under the Soviets, the administration sent Reb Elya Meir and his brother-in-law, the late Rosh Yeshivah Reb Chaim Mordechai Katz on a mission to the United States, to raise funds to move the Yeshivah to either America or Eretz Yisrael. When they arrived, they learned of the Nazi invasion. They decided to restart the Yeshiva in Cleveland.

Rav Chaim Mordechai Wainkrantz (1920-2004). Born in Popov, Poland, he studied at the Novardok branch in Polutsk, then traveled to Bialystok to learn at the Bais Yosef Yeshiva under Rav Avraham Yoffen. During WW2, he was exiled to Siberia. In 1947, he moved to America, married, and learned in Kollel for another 10 years under Rav Yoffen. He then founded a yeshiva ketana. He was also maggid shiur at Congregation Shomrei Emunah. In his later years, he became Rosh Yeshiva at Bais Yosef.

Rav Aharon Shimon Shapiro of Prague (1679)

Rav Chizkiya ben Dovid di Silva, author of Pri Chodosh on the Shulchan Aruch (1659-1698). Born in Livorna, Italy.

Rav Gedalia of Linitz, author of Teshuos Chein (1803). Son of Rav Yitzchak, he was a disciple of the Magid of Mezritch. Rebbe Nachman said about Rav Gedalya of Linitz that he was foremost in the bringing of people to repentance in that generation, even though he never gave lectures and only sat and learned all day.

Rav Tzvi Mordechai of Plavna (1866)

Rav Shlomo of Vilna, author of Cheshek Shlomo (1905)

Rav Baruch Hager of Vishiva (1944)

Rav Yitzchak Shmuel Eliyahu Finkler of Radoshitz (Radoszyce) (1902-1944). Son of Rav Meir Menahem Finkler (1862-1912)

Rav Yisrael of Husyatin and Rizhin (1949). The son of Rav Mordechai Shraga and grandson of the Rizhiner Rebbe, he married Nechama Gitel, a grand-daughter of his uncle, Rav Avraham Yaakov of Sadiger, when he was 14 years old. He was also the uncle of Reb Moshenu of Boyan. In 1937, he moved to Tel Aviv, along with his son-in-law, Rav Yaakov, who would succeed him 12 years later.

Rav Shlomo Dovid Kahana of Warsaw and Yerushalayim, the Avi Ha’agunos (1953)

Rav Zushe Waltner (1918-2002). Born in Hungary, he traveled through Cracow and Switzerland until he eventually was admitted to England in 1937. There, Rav Waltner developed a very close relationship with Rav Eliahu Dessler. After the war, Rav Waltner and Rav Aryeh Grosnass traveled to Europe to help the shattered remnants of European Jewry, and founded the yeshiva in Sunderland to accommodate some of them. Traveling to Tangiers to recruit talmidim for Sunderland, he met R' Shmuel Toledano who soon built a yeshiva building and then invited Rav Waltner to come and found a yeshiva. At the advice of Rav Dessler who consulted with the Chazon Ish on the matter, Rav Waltner accepted the challenge. There he set up a yeshiva called Eitz Chaim. There are thousands of bnei Torah and religious balabatim today who freely acknowledge that he is responsible for their spiritual life. He also established Otzar Hatorah institutions in Morocco. Among his talmidim from Tangier are Rav Shimon Pinto of Strasbourg and Rav Shlomo Farrache in Bnai Brak.

Rav Tzvi Yehuda (Hashi) Friedman (1925-2005). Born in Pressburg, Hungary, Reb Hashi was a descendant of the Chasam Sofer, whose youngest daughter, Rechel, married Reb Tzvi Yehuda Friedman from Topolcany. Their youngest son, Yeshaya, married Yehudis Link and had a son, Moshe, who married Malka Hochhauser. Reb Moshe had three sons, Nissan, Hashi, and Pinchas. Among Hashi’s teachers were Rav Akiva Sofer (the Daas Sofer), Rav Avraham Shmuel Binyomin Sofer (the Cheishev Sofer), and Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandel. In 1944, he was sent to Aushwitz and marched the Death March to Gleiwitz and was transported to Buchenwald. Although his entire family was murdered, he lived another 60 years. He emigrated to Montreal in 1951 and moved to Toronto in 1970. His life was filled with Torah and hachnasas orchim.