Rav Nota of Chelm, the Neta Shaahuim (1812)

Rav Moshe Schick, the Maharam Shick (1807-1879). His “last name” was created by his family in response to a demand by government agencies; it is an acrostic for “Shem Yehudi Kodesh.” Born in Brezheva, a small town in Hungary, he was sent at the age of 11 to learn with his uncle, Rav Yitzchak Frankel, av beis din in Regendorf. When he was 14, he was sent to learn under the Chasam Sofer in Pressburg, where he stayed for six years. When he was 20, he married his cousin, Gittel Frankel. He was appointed Rav in Yargen in 1838, the year of the Chasam Sofer’s petira, then became Rav in Chust.

Rav Moshe Yechiel Halevi Epstein from Ozerov (1890-1971), great-grandson of Rav Leibish, the first Ozerover Rebbe. In 1912, he became Rav of Ozerov and in 1918, he replaced his father as Rebbe. During World War I, Ozerov burned down, with only 22 houses left standing (only 11 of Jewish inhabitants). In 1920, he traveled to America to publicize the importance of Agudas Israel, and in 1927, he moved his family to the Bronx. He moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1949 and settled in Tel Aviv. Rav Moshe Yechiel wrote two monumental works, Aish Daas, comprised of 11 volumes, and Be’er Moshe, 12 volumes on Chumasah and Tanach. Each volume contained at least 500 pages, over 10,000 pages in all. Two biographies have been written about him, “Balabas Aish” and “The Aish Daas of Ozerov.” Rav Moshe Yechiel was succeeded by his son-in-law, Rav Tanchum Binyamin Becker.

Rav Avraham Yehuda Farbstein (1917-1997), Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Chevron. Rav Farbstein's father was one of the founders of Bnei Brak and was head of its first city council. As a youth, Reb Avraham Yehuda studied in the Chevron Yeshiva and the Mir Yeshiva in Europe. Rav Farbstein's wife was a daughter of Rav Yechezkel Sarna, He taught in the Chevron Yeshiva for 50 years.

Rav Binyomin Rabinowitz, chaver beis din of Eida Chareidis (2002)

Rebbetzin Menucha Ettel Nekritz (1914-2006), granddaughter of the Alter of Novardok, and the daughter of Rav Avraham Yaffen, the rosh yeshiva of Novardok in Poland. Born in 1914 in Bialystock, Poland. She was named after Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz's mother Ettel — the sister of her mother — with the name Menucha added because her aunt had died young. The Alter was nifter when she was six years old, and her father, Rav Yaffen, ran the large network of Novardok yeshivas that were spread out all over Poland. Its nerve center was in Bialystock. She married Rav Yehuda Leib Nekritz in 1935.

Asher ben Yaakov Avinu

Rav Menachem Mendel Krochmahl of Nikolsburg, the Tzemach Tzedek (~1600-1661). He learned in Krakowat the yeshiva of the Bach, his rebbi muvhak and had a close relationship with the Taz. In 1631, he fled Krakow because of the uprisings of the Cossacks and settled in Moravia, becoming Rav in Krezmir. He later became Rav in Prosnitz, then in 1648 of Nikolsburg. There is a sefer called Pi Tzadik which has been attributed to him, but research has determined that the author is his son, Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib.

Rav Meshulam Zusha (Rebbe Reb Zusha) from Anapoli (Hanipol) (1718-1800). Disciple of Magid of Mezritch; younger brother of the Noam Elimelech.

Rav Simcha Bunim Kalish of Otvotzk and Teveria, son of Rav Menachem Mendel of Vorka. (1907)

Rav Tzvi Hersh Rabinowitz (1910)

Rav Yisrael Chaim Kaplan, talmid at Mir, son-in-law of Rav Yerucham Levovitz, mashgiach at Beth Medrash Elyon in Monsey from mid-1940s until his petira (1970).

Rav Mansour BenShimon, author of Shemen HaMaor (1998)

Rav Yosef Katz, brother-in-law of the Rema and author of She’eris Yosef (1591). Note: the Admor of Desh, Rav Tzvi Meir Panet (1923-2003) also authored a sefer called Shearis Yosef.

Rav Yosef Rakover, Rav of Eibeshetz, author of Mirkeves Hamishna (1703)

Rav Pinchas of Plutzk, talmid of the Vilna Gaon, and author of Maggid Tzedek (1823) [NOTE: Rav Yitzchak Maltzen (Maltzan), best known as the author of Siddur HaGra, Ishei Yisrael, also wrote a commentary on the Haggada called Maggid Tzedek However, elsewhere, we read that the same Yitzchak Maltzan wrote in Siach Yitzchak “in the name of the sefer Maggid Tzedek,” suggesting a different person.

Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (1767-1828). After learning at Mattersdorf and Nikolsburg, Rav Simcha Bunim was introduced to chasidus by his father-in-law, and became a chasid of of the Magid of Kozhnitz and then the Chozeh of Lublin. He followed Rav Yaakov Yitzchak (the Yid Hakadosh) as leader of Pshischa, emphasizing Torah study. Among the followers of his methods were the Kotzker Rebbe, the Vorker Rebbe, the Chadushei Harim of Ger and Rav Chanoch of Alexander.

Rav Moshe Yehuda Leib Zilberberg, Rav of Kutna and Yerushalayim, author of Zayis Raanan and Tiferes Yerushalayim (1865)

Rav Yosef Kalish, Rebbe of Amshinov (1878-1935 or 1937). The son of Rav Rav Menachem of Amshinov, grandson of Rav Yaakov Dovid of Amshinov, and great-grandson of Rav Yitzchak of Vorka. Rav Yosef was appointed Rav of Ostrova at the age of 27. He then succeeded his father in 1918. His son, Rav Yaakov Dovid (1906-1942), became Rebbe of Amshinov, upon Rav Yosef’s petrira.

Asher by Yaakov Avinu (1562-1439 B.C.E.)

Rav Yisrael Charif from Stanov, author of Tiferes Yisrael, disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.

Rav Moshe Leib of Sassov (1745-1807). Moshe Leib was a student of Shmuel Shmelke of Nickolsburg, Dov Baer (the Maggid of Mezhirech), and Elimelekh of Lezhynsk. His teachings are contained in the books, Likutei RaMal, Toras ReMaL Hashalem, and Chidushei RaMal.

Rav Avraham Katz of Kalisk (1810). Originally a disciple of the Vilna Gaon, he was advised to visit the Maggid of Mezritch and subsequently became his follower. His prayers were noted for their fervor. In Adar of 1777, he joined his close friend, Rav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, in leading 300 chasidim to the Eretz Yisrael. They settled in Teverya. On the death of Rav Menachem Mendel, Rav Avraham became the leader of the chassidic community in Israel.

Rav Avraham Aharon Yudelevitch (1850-1930). Born in Novardok, White Russia, his mother was a sister of Rav Meir Marim Saphit (d. 1873), Rav of Kobrin, White Russia, and author of "Nir," a famous commentary on the Talmud Yerushalmi. Beginning in 1874, he served as Rav in several Russian towns before moving to Manchester, England, and from there to Boston and finally New York. He was a prolific author. His works include the multi-volume Darash Av, on Chumash and the festivals, and the multi-volume halachic responsa, Beis Av. In Av Be'chochmah, he defends what was probably his best-known and most controversial ruling, that the chalitzah act could be performed al yedei shli’ach. Among those who opposed his ruling were Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer and the Rogatchover.

Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, author of Seridei Aish (1885-1966). A student of the Mir and Slabodka yeshivos. When World War 1 broke out he went to Germany and studied at the university of Giessen, receiving a Ph.D. for a thesis on the masorectic text. He subsequently taught and eventually became rector of the Berlin Rabbinical Seminary founded by Rabbi Ezriel Hildeshimer.

Rav Yisrael Abuchatzeira, the Baba Sali (1890-1984). Born in Tafillalt, Morocco, he moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1964, eventually settling in Netivot in southern Israel in 1970.

Rav Yaakov Elazar Friedman (2002), son of Rav Shlomo Zalman Friedman, Rav of Rakoshegy, Hungary. He was a descendent of the Shaarei Torah, Shemen Rokeach, Yerias Shlomo, Ponim Meiros, Chacham Tzvi, Bach, Tosfos Yom Tov, Maharshal, and Levush.

Rav Chaim Dovid Chazan, Rishon L’tzion (1869)

Rav Shalom Shachna Yelin, Rav of Bielsk and author of Yefeh Einayim (1874). Bielsk is a town, 52 km south of Bialystok, in northeastern Poland, which had a substantial Jewish presence before World War II. Bielsk became part of the Russian Empire in 1807 after the partitioning of Poland. In the 1840s, the town was absorbed into Grodno Gubernia, a province of the Russian Pale of Settlement allowing Jewish residency. Bielsk became part of the Russian Empire in 1807 after the partitioning of Poland. In the 1840s, the town was absorbed into Grodno Gubernia, a province of the Russian Pale of Settlement. In 1898, a large wooded synagogue was built and called Yefeh Einayim in honor of Rav Yelin.

Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger, the Sfas Emes (1847-1905). Since his father, Rav Avraham Mordechai, died when he was 8 years old, Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib was raised by his grandfather, the Chidushei Harim. He became Admore of Ger at the age of 23 in 1870. On 18 Elul 1901, his wife, Yocheved Rivkah, passed away. He then married Raizel, daughter of Rav Baruch of Gorlitz, the son of the Sanzer Rav. He fathered a total of ten children. Four passed away in childhood and the surviving children were: his eldest son the author of the Imrei Emes, Rav Moshe Betzalel, Rav Nechemia of Lodz, and Rav Menachem Mendel of Pavinezh. His two sons-in-law were Rav Yaakov Meir Biderman, dayan in Warsaw, and Rav Tzvi Chanoch HaKohen Levine, Rav of Bandin.

Rav Avraham Eliezer Alperstein (1853-1913). Born in Kobrin, White Russia he studied under R' Yaakov Dovid Willowsky (the Ridvaz) and in yeshivos in Kovno and Vilna. R' Alperstein moved to New York in 1881, then Chicago in 1884, where he was rabbi of the Kovner and Suvalker congregations. In 1899, he relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1901, R' Alperstein returned to New York. There, he was an early leader of Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan (RIETS), which later evolved into Yeshiva University. The following year, he participated in the organizing convention of the Agudas Harabanim / United Orthodox Rabbis of America and signed its Constitution as one of its 59 charter members. R' Alperstein published a commentary on Maseches Bikkurim with an haskamah from R' Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik (the Bet Halevi).

Rav Shlomo Zalman Friedman, Rachover Rav (1980). He was mechaber of Kedushas Yom Tov and a follower of the Rebbe of Sziget. He survived the Holocaust after experiencing the horrors of the death camps of Auschwitz. After the war he settled in Satmar. In 1947, he left Romania and settled in Logano in Switzerland where he served as Chief Rabbi and Av Beis Din. His last years were spent in the home of his son-in-law, Rav Menahem Mendel Horowitz, in Bnei Brak.

Rav Raphael Yom Tov Lipman Halpern (Heilperin) of Bialystock, the Oneg Yom Tov (1816-1879)

Rav Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum of Sighet, the Atzei Chaim (1936 [1926, per Yated 2008]), oldest son of Rav Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, the Kedushas Yom Tov, and brother [father] of Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmer Rav. He succeeded his father as Rav of Sighet.

Rav Dovid Yitzchak Rabinowitz, the Skolya Rebbe (1898-1979). Author of Tzemach Dovid.

Rav Dovid Biderman, the first Lelover Rebbe (1746-1814), son of Rav Shlomo Biderman. A close follower of the Chozeh of Lublin, he was known for his extraordinary compassion for, and inability to see faults in, his fellow Jews. His main disciple was Rav Yitzchak of Vorki, whose son, Yaakov Dovid, was the first Amshinov Rebbe. Two printed collections of stories about Rav Dovid are Migdal Dovid and Kodesh Halulim.

Rav Mordechai Dovid Ungar (Unger), Dombrover Rebbe (1947). The son of Rav Rav Zvi Hersh Unger, Reb Mordechai Dovid was a disciple of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk, Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt, the Chozeh miLublin, and the Kozhnitzer Magid. He was succeeded by his son, Rav Yosef of Dombrov.

Reb Reuven Biala of Chicago and Mountaindale, NY (1943-2006). Born in Cleveland to irreligious parents, he developed an interest in Yiddishkeit as a teenager, triggered by a Bnei Akiva Shabbos get-together. His father died when he was in his early teens, and his mother vehemently opposed his desire to learn in yeshiva, but he ran away from home, and entered the Telz Yeshiva at sixteen. Reb Reuven married Chaya Singer a"h from Pittsburgh. Following his marriage, he learned for a short time in New York, followed by Chicago, where he learned in Telz Yeshiva. His wife passed away at the young age of 35. It was around this time that he began publishing and distributing Torah Action Publications, pamphlets on different topics of halacha. Reb Reuven remarried and moved to Mountaindale, NY. They raised another four children b'derech haTorah.

Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Neiman, the Pupa Rav and the Belzer Dayan in Montreal (1919-2007)

Rav Baruch ben Rav Shmuel of Pinsk (1834). In 1830, Rav Yisrael of Shklov, one of the closest of the disciples of the Vilna Gaon, began an effort to locate the "Ten Lost Tribes." Rav Baruch ben Rav Shmuel of Pinsk served as the messenger and departed from Tzefas with a letter of introduction to the king of the Lost Tribes. (The Ten Tribes were believed to have an independent kingdom where they practiced true semichah of rabbis as handed down from Moshe Rabbeinu until the Fourth Century CE) Rav Baruch traveled through the Middle East for almost three years before he was murdered in Yemen.

Rav Yosef Meir Kahana, the Spinka Rebbe of Yerushalayim (1978), son of Rav Tzvi Hirsch Kahana. Rav Yosef Meir was succeeded by his son, Rav Mordecai Dovid Kahana.

Rav Menachem Breier, father of the Boyaner Rebbe (2007)

Rabbeinu Nissim ben Reuven, the Ran (1308-1376), author of a commentary to the Talmud and a halachic commentary to the work of Rabbeinu Yitzchak Alfasi (the Rif). His extant commentaries on the Rif cover mesechtos Shabbos, Pesachim, Ta'anis, Rosh HaShanah, Beytza, Sukkah, Megillah, Kesubos, Gittin, Kiddushin, Shevu'os, and Avodah Zarah. He wrote in reply about 1,000 responsa, of which only seventy-seven have been preserved.

Rav Eliyahu Yisrael, Rav of Alexander and author of Ar’a DeYisrael (1784)

Rav Yisrael Yaakov of Vilkomir, son of Rav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov (1827)

Rav Yaakov Heilbrun, Rav of Zenta (1849)

Rav Yehosef Schwartz (1805-1865). Born in Bavaria (Germany), he studied in the yeshiva of Rav Nosson Adler. (This was not the same Rav Nosson Adler as the teacher of the Chasam Sofer, but perhaps his nephew, who later became Chief Rabbi of the British Empire). Rav Schwartz also attended university (possibly the University of Wurzburg) where he studied languages, geography and astronomy. In 1829, he published his first map of the Holy Land, and in 1833, he settled in Yerushalayim. His sefer, Divrei Yosef, contains two parts - Tevuos Hashemesh about the proper way to calculate sunrise and sunset, and Tevuos Ha'aretz about the borders of Eretz Yisrael, its cities, and its flora and fauna. He also wrote Pri Tevuah and Pardes.

Rav Avraham Aminov, Chief Bucharian Rabbi of Shchunas Habucharim in Yerushalayim (1939)

Rav Yeshayahu Zev Winograd (1883-1956), born in Stuchin, Lithuania. His father, Rav Pinchas Mordechai Winograd, was one of Poland’s gedolei Torah and the author of Toldos Aharon on Pirke Avos. When Yeshayahu Zev was 8 years old, his family moved to Yerushalayim. In 1912, he was sent to Europe by the City’s sages to raise funds for city’s needy. He made lengthy stops at Brisk, Biala, and Warsaw. In 1920, he returned to Yerushalayim and dedicated himself to expaning Yeshiva Etz Chaim, the oldest educational institution in the Ashkenazik community (founded 1855). His major work was a sefer called Shaarei Ziv, with chidushim on all of shas.

Rav Eliezer Silver (1882-1968). Born in Kovno, Lithuania to Rav Bunim Tzemach, Rav Silver studied in Dvinsk with Rav Yosef Rosen, the Rogotchover Gaon, and Rav Meir Simcha, the Ohr Sameach. At the age of 24, he received his Semicha from Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski. A year later he immigrated to the United States. Rav Silver held several Rabbinical positions in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusets. In 1931 he accepted an invitation to become Rav in Cincinnati, where he remained until his passing. He founded the American branch of Agudas Yisrael and established the Vaad Hatzalah to aid Jews in Europe during WW II.

Rav Nachum Abba Grossbard, mashgiach of Ponovezh. His son is Rav Shmuel Grossbard, rosh yeshiva of the Telstone Yeshiva Gedoloh in Israel. (1993)

Rav Dovid of Skver-Boro Park (2001). Succeeded his father, Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky, known as Reb Itzikl Skverer (Skvirer), when the latter died prematurely. Rav Dovid was succeeded by his son, Yechiel Michl Twersky, the Skwerer Rebbe of Boro Park.

Rav Meir ben Yitzchak Katzenellenbogen, the Maharam Padua (1482-1565). Born in Ellenbogen, Germany, founder of the Katzenellenbogen family. After studying in Prague, he went to Padua, Italy, and studied under Rav Yehuda Minz, whose garnd-daughter he married. He succeeded his father-in-law, Rav Avraham Minz, as Rav of Padua. Among his contemporaries who sent him shaylos were Rav Ovadiah Sforno and Rav Moses Iserles, the Rema. [Yated 2006 says 30 Shvat; Yated 2007 says 29 Shvat]

Rav Shalom Mizrachi Dida Sharabi, the Rashash (1720-1782 [1777 per Yated 2008]). Born in Sharab, Yemen, he traveled to Yerushalayim, where he learned under Rav Gedalyah Chiyun of Yehivas Beis Kel. He married Rav Gedalyah’s daughter, Chana, and after his rebbi’s petira, led the yeshiva for 30 years. Among his greatest students are the Chida (Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai) and Rav Gershon Kitover (the Ba’al Shem Tov’s brother-in-law). His sidur was known as the "Sidur HaKavanot," and is still used by the mekubalim today for prayer.

Rebbetzin Rivka Schneersohn (1833-1914) a granddaughter of Rav DovBer, the 2nd Rebbe of Lubavitch, at age 16 married her first cousin, Rav Shmuel, who later became the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe. Surviving her husband by 33 years, for many years she was the esteemed matriarch of Lubavitch. She is the source of many of the stories recorded in the talks, letters and memoirs of her grandson, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak (the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe). The Beis Rivka network of girls' schools are named after her.

Rav Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe (1880-1950). The son of Rav Shalom Dov Ber, he dedicated his efforts to the yeshiva founded by his father, Tomechai Hatemimim. He was jailed by the Russian government for teaching Torah, and on his release, he settled in Riga, Latvia. He escaped to America in 1940.

Rav Yitzchak Eizek Sher of Slabodka (1875-1952). Born in Halusk, he studied in Volozhin under the Netziv's son-in-law, Rav Refoel Shapira, before moving to Slabokdka. There he studied b'chavrusa with Rav Avraham Grodzinski. In 1903, Rav Yitzchak Eizek married the Alter's youngest daughter, Mariasha Guttel, and moved to Kelm where he continued to learn diligently. He also studied for a brief period in the Mir, where his brother-in-law, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, served as rosh yeshiva. In 1911, the Alter appointed Rav Yitzchak Eizek to the position of rebbi in the yeshiva. In 1928, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel went to Eretz Yisrael, along with the majority of Slabodka's students, and settled in Chevron. At that point, Rav Yitzchak Eizek was appointed rosh yeshiva of Slabodka's European division, with its mashgiach, Rav Avraham Grodzinski. On Shabbos morning, the sixteenth of Av, 1929, the Arab massacred Chevron's Jews. After the massacre, the survivors reestablished the Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. Rav Yitzchak Eizek, at the advice of the Chazon Ish, reestablished the European branch of the Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnei Brak.

Rav Rachamim Chai Chavita, Rav of Djerba, Tunisia, author of Minchas Cohen and Simchas Cohen (1959)

Rebbetzin Rivka Schneersohn (1833-1914). A a granddaughter of Rabbi DovBer, the 2nd Rebbe of Lubavitch, she married her first cousin, Rav Shmuel, at the age of 16. Rav Shmuel later became the 4th Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Beis Rivka network of girls' schools are named after her.

Rav Dovid Nosan Deutsch, son of R' Yosef Yoel Deutsch, and the second Rav of Kretchenif (1879). He authored Nefesh Dovid on Chumash.

Rav Chaim Kapusi (~1540-1631). Born in Algiers, he moved with his family to Egypt in his early years. He became Rav and Dayan in Egypt and is buried in the Cairo Jewish cemetery. He authored Sifsei Chaim (unpublished) on the Sifri and the Mechilta, and Be’or Hachaim on Chumash, which was published about 300 years after his petirah.

Rav Tzvi Hersh Shor (1635), author of Toras Chaim.

Rav Baruch Kapilish of Lublin (1739).

Rav Meir Atlas, one of the foremost rabbis in Lithuania in the late 1800s and early 1900s. (1848-1926) He
helped found the Yeshiva of Telshe in 1875 and brought Rav Eliezer Gordon to head it. Rav Meir's
daughter, Michle was married to Rav Elchonon Wasserman, Rosh Yeshiva of Baranovich. Rav Meir first
served as Rav in Libau, Kurland, and subsequently in Salant, Kobrin, and Shavli.

Rav Zev Dov Zamoshitz (1942), author of Minchas Zikaron.

Rav Shmuel Chamoula (1942-2004).

Rav Shabtai Aton [Atun], Rosh Yeshivas Reishis Chochmah (1925-2006). Born in Yerushalayim's Old City to Rav Ben-Tzion, one of the ten founders of Yeshivas Porat Yosef in the Old City, Reb Shabtai learned at his father’s yeshiva and was appointed as Rav of the Yerushalayim neighborhood of Malcha. In 1957, he was appointed as the spiritual leader of Yeshivas Porat Yosef, under the Roshei Yeshiva, Rav Ezra Attiah and Rav Yaakov Addas. It was at this time that the Yeshiva moved from the Old City to Geulah. In Teves 1960, Rav Aton was widowed and left with four small children. In 1967, he opened Yeshivas Reishis Chochmah. At first, the Yeshiva was located in the Yerushalayim neighborhood of Mekor Baruch, after which it moved to its present location in Sanhedria Murchevet.

Rav Mordechai of Lechovitz, founder of Korbin (Kobrin?) and Slonim dynasties (1810). He always told his chassidim that he first learned Torah from Rav Aharon of Karlin, who taught him Torah from the heart. He was succeeded by his son Rav Noach.

Rav Baruch Sorotzkin, Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe in Cleveland. Born in Zhetl, Lithuania, where his father, Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, was Rav (the father was later known as the Lutzker Rav). Rav Baruch’s mother was the daughter of Rav Eliezer Gordon, Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe. As a young man, Rav Baruch studied under Rav Elchonon Wasserman, in Baranovich, and then under Rav Baruch Ber Lebovitz in Kamenitz. In 1940, he married Rachel Bloch, daughter of the Telsher Rav and Rosh Yeshivah, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Bloch. With the advent of WW2, they escaped to America and settled in Cleveland, where he joined his wife's uncles, Rav Eliahu Meir Bloch and Rav Chaim Mordechai Katz who re-established Telshe in America. In 1943, Rav Baruch began delivering shiurim in the Yeshivah. In 1964, Rav Baruch, together with Rav Mordechai Gifter, assumed responsibility for the Yeshiva. He was also very active with Chinuch Atzmai, Torah Umesorah, Agudath lsrael of America (1917-1979)

Rav Yaakov Yehoshua Falk Katz, the Pnei Yehoshua (1680-1756). Born in Cracow, he studied at Lvov (Lemberg), where he became Rav in 1718, succeeding the Chacham Tzvi.; Rav of Berlin in 1730 and Metz in 1734, succeeding Rav Yaakov Rischer (the Shevus Yaakov); Rav of Frankfurt in 1740. He sided strongly with Rav Yaakov Emden in his controversy with Rav Yonasan Eibeshutz. On the 3rd of Kislev of 1702, he was trapped under fallen rubble following an explosion that killed a total of 36 Jews of Lemberg, inclusing his wife, Leah, and their only daughter, Gittel. He vowed that if he got out alive, he would write a sefer. He was miraculaoulsy saved, and thereafter wrote the Pnei Yehoshua.

Rav Yechiel Danziger (Danczyger), first Rebbe of Alexander (1894). Born to Rav Shraga Feivel of Gritz-Makova, he became a chasid of Rav Yitzchak Kalish of Vorki, then his son, Rav Mendel of Vorki. Following’s Rav Mendel’s petira, Rav Yechiel became a follower of Rav Dov Ber of Biala. After his own petira, Rav Yechiel was succeeded by his son Rav Yisrael.

Rav Aryeh Kaplan (1935-1983). Born in New York City, Rav Aryeh had a prolific but tragically brief career, producing over 60 works. After his early education in Torah Vadaas and Mir Yeshivos in Brooklyn, he studied at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He also received a master's degree in physics and was listed in the Who's Who in Physics.

Rav Aharon Aryeh Leib Leifer, Nadvorner (Nadworna) Rebbe author of the Yad Aharon (1817 - 1897). The son of R' Issachar Dov Bertzi Leifer of Nadvorna, succeeding him as Rebbe.
Rav Elazar Hendeles, close aid to the Gerrer Rebbes (1913-2004). Born in Lodz, Poland, he made aliya in 1937. He was a confidante of the Lev Simcha and was a loyal messenger of the Beis Yisrael, establishing homes for refugees, working on hachnasas kalla, helping the sick and poor, and establishing Orthodox communities in Tel Aviv, Ashdod, and Arad.

Rav Chaim Mordechai Margulies, author of Shaarei Teshuva (1823)

Rav Gedalya Aharon (son of Rav Yitzchak Yoel) of Linitz, author of Chen Aharon. (1877).

Rav Rafael Shlomo Laniado, Rosh Yeshivas Porat Yosef (1925) (Yated 2008)

Rav Baruch Kunstat, born in Pressburg, Hungary, to Rav Avraham Aryeh, a descendent of the Chasm Sofer. He studied in the yeshiva of Rav Simcha Bunim Sofer (the Shevet Sofer) and his son Rav Akiva Sofer (the Das Sofer), he was appointed Rav of Fulda in 1907 at the age of 22. There, he married Tzipora, daughter of Rav Elchanan Moshe Emanuel, and he founded a yeshiva. Afte spending time in Buchenwald, he was released and moved to Eretz Yisrael. Along with Rav Yechiel Michel Shlesinger (who also escaped from the camps), he founded Yeshiva Kol Torah in 1939. It was the first Azhkenazi Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael in which shiurim were delivered in Hebrew and not Yiddish, the format having been approved by the Chazon Ish. In his will, Rav Shlesinger, who was nifter in 1946, expressed the hope the rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach would replace him as Rosh Yeshiva. (1885-1967)

Rav Dovid of Kolomai, a talmid of the Baal Shem Tov (1732)

Rav Yona Navon, Rav of Yerushalayim (1713-1760). Appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Gedulat Mordechai in Yerushalayim at the age of 19 years, he later moved to Italy due to the harsh poverty. Supported by relatives, he published Nechpah Bakessef, his sefer of responsa. He also authored Get Mekushar on the sefer Get Pashut of Rav Moshe ibn Chaviv, as well as Pri Mipri to refute the questions on Pri Chadash raised by the Pri Toar and the Simlah Chadasha. Among his many talmidim was Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azoulai, the Chida.

Rav Asher Tzvi of Ostraha, author of Maayan HaChachmah (1817)

Rav Yaakov of Zabeltov (1881)

Rav Shalom Mordechai Hakohen Schwadron, the Maharsham (1835-1911), also known as the Brezaner Rav. He gave s’micha to Rav Meir Shapiro of Lublin. He was the ultimate rabbinical authority not only for the rabbis of Galicia, Poland and even Lithuania, but for the entire Disapora. His writing include “Mishpat Shalom” on Choshen Mishpat, “Darchei Shalom” on Talmud and its commentators, “Da'as Torah” on the laws of kosher slaughter, “Galui Da'as” on sections 61-69 of Yoreh De'ah. One prominent opponent on the latter book was Rav Tzvi Hirsh Shapira, author of “Darchei Tshuvah,” head of the rabbinical court of Monkatch.

Rav Alter Yechezkel Horowitz (1930-1994). At the age of 15, he was deported with his father to Aushwitz, then to Gluzen in Austria. His mother was nifter when he was 12, and his father did not survive the war. In 1946, he joined a yeshiva for refugees in Austria. When he was 19, he came alone to America. He met Rav Aharon Kotler and joined the yeshiva in Lakewood. At the same time, he also became a very close follower of the Satmer Rebbe. In the 1960s, he moved his family to Monsey and became part of the Kollel of Bais Midrash Elyon. In 1968, he opened his beis midrash, the Sanzer Kloiz. In 1984, the Viener Kehilla in Boro Park asked him to serve as their dayan. Thereafter, he also took on the position of Rosh Bais Din of Kehillas Adas Yereim.

Rav Avraham Shlomo Biderman, the Lelover Rebbe of Yerushalayim (1927-2000). Son of Rav Moshe Mordechai of Lelov, he was born in Cracow, Poland, on Rosh Chodesh Adar. He was only four years old when his father decided to take up residence in Eretz Yisrael, settling in the Botei Warsaw neighborhood in Yerushalayim. When his father moved to Tel Aviv in 1943, he transferred to the Beis Yosef Novardok yeshiva. He married the daughter of Rav Zundel Hager. In 1965, when his father moved from Tel Aviv to Bnei Brak, he was appointed rav of the beis medrash in Tel Aviv. With the petirah of his father, Rav Avraham Shlomo was appointed Admor, and he moved to Yerushalayim.

Rav Chaim Falagi (Palagi), Rav of Izmir (1788-1858). Rav Chaim derived much of his Torah knowledge from his grandfather, Rav Raphael Yosef (the Chikrei Lev), and together with him, wrote the work, Semicha L'Chaim. After his father's petirah in 1828, he accepted the positions of dayan and mashgiach ruchani in the Beis Yaakov Rabi yeshivah. In 1855, he was appointed to the position of rav hakollel, the highest rabbinical position in Izmir. During his life, he authored Kaf HaChaim, Moed L'chol Chai , and at least 70 other sefarim. They consist of: twenty-four books on halacha, fifteen on midrashim and homiletics, nine on chiddushim on Bavli and Yerushalmi, seven on Tanach, five on various other subjects and three mussar works. He also wrote a sefer called Tenufas Chaim.

Rav Yechezkel of Kazmir [Kuzmir] (1772-1856). Born in Plonsk, Poland A disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, he was the grandfather of the first Modzitzer Rebbe. After opponents of chassidus drove Rav Yechezkel out of Plonsk, he moved to Shanana. Rav Yechezkel became an admor in 1827. After becoming famous throughout Poland, Rav Yechezkel moved to Kuzmir. One of the most idyllic towns in Poland, Kuzmir lies next to the Vistula river, in the shadow of a fourteenth century castle, reputedly built by King Casimir the Great. A Jewish community existed there since 1406 and, by Rav Yechezkel's time, Jews comprised half the town's population.Today, Jewish visitors to Poland pass through the town to visit the surviving shul and cemetery that date back to the sixteenth century. Rav Yechezkel’s Torah insights were collected by a son-in-law and published in the sefer, Nechmad MiZahav, which was reprinted, along with other divrei Torah of the dynasty, in the sefer Toras Yechezkel, in 1973.

Rav Yehuda Chitrik (1899-2006). A Lubavitcher chassid known for his encyclopedic memory, and for passing on the chassidic mesora of previous Rebbes. A book of translations of his stories, "From My Father's Shabbos Table," was published in 1991. Rabbi Chitrik was born in Russia and was sent by his father at the age of 15 to study at the central Lubavitch yeshiva near Smolensk, Russia. After World War II, he moved to the Netherlands and then to Montreal. He moved to New York City in 1983 after the death of his wife. He is survived by well as over 300 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rav Yaakov Margulies, Av Beis Din Nuremberg (1492) [“Early Acharonim” states 1501; Yated 2008 says 1520]. Author of Seder Haget V'hachalitza, which is quoted extensively by the Rema. His son, Rav Isaac, was a rav in Prague and was the one who compiled his father’s sefer.

Rav Elimelech Menachem Mendel Landau of Strikov (1859-1936). Born Menachem Mendel (Elimelech was added a year before his petira) to Rav Dov Berish of Biala. After the petira of Rav Yitzchak of Vorka in 1848, the majority of Vorka Chassidim chose to follow Reb Menachem Mendel’s father, Rav Dov Berish. After his petirah in 1876, none of the sons were willing to accept leadership, so the Chassidim followed Rav Dov Berish’s primary talmid, Rav Yechiel of Alexander. Reb Menachem Mendel and his brothers moved to Alexander to follow Rav Yechiel, and – after his petirah in 1894 – his son, the Yismach Yisrael. When the Yismach Yisrael died childless in 1910, Reb Menachem Mendel’s brother, Reb Aharon Tzvi founded a court. Only when he passed, did Menachem Mendel accept leadership of the Chassidim and set up court in Strikov. After World War I, he settled in the town of Zhgierzh, adjacent to Lodz, and founded Yeshivas Beis Aharon, named after his brother. When he visited Eretz Yisrael, he founded Yeshivas Zechusa DeAvraham. His divrei Torah were printed in Maggid Devarav L’Yaakov and in Bayeshishim Chachmah. His son, Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Dan, succeeded him and was murdered by the Nazis (4 Cheshvan 1943). His son, Rav Avraham survived the war and reestablished Strikover Chassidus in Eretz Yisrael.

Rav Binyamin Beinish Finkel, Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva (1911-1990). Born in Mir on Yom Kippur. In 1931, he studied under the Chafetz Chaim, and in 1934-35 under Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik of Brisk. Rav Beinish married the daughter of Rav Shmuel Greineman, the Chazon Ish's brother-in-law. He took over as rosh yeshiva for his father, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel after the latter’s petira in 1965.

Rav Binyamin Zev Shapiro of Prague (1718)

Rav Yitzchak Baruch Sofer, father of the Kaf Hachaim (1905)

Rav Shmuel Weinberg of Slonim, the Divrei Shmuel (1916 [Yated 2008 says 1936]). Grandson of Rav Avraham of Slonim, the Yesod HaAvodah. He was succeeded by his sons Rav Yissochor Leib and Rav Avraham, the Beis Avraham.

Rav Shimon Greenfeld of Somihali (Szemihaly), the Maharshag (1930), a student of the Maharam Shick. His nephew and talmid, Rav Shmaya, was 1st Rav of the Satmar Kehilla in Montreal.

Rav Elimelech Menachem Landau, first Admor of Strikov (1936). During his time, 150 botei medrash of Strikover chassidim were scattered throughout Poland. After his petirah, he was replaced by his son, Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Dan, the rav of Kinov, who led the group until he perished al kiddush Hashem in 1944.

Rav Shmuel Carlebach (1927-1999). Educational director of the Bnei Brak Or Hachaim Seminary and the Beis Yaakov Seminary of Ashdod. Born in Frankfort, Germany. He was sent to Belgium during the War. In 1939, the Carlebach family settled in Tel Aviv. Reb Shmuel merited to be one of the first students of Yeshivas Kol Torah under Rav Yechiel Michel Schlesinger, its founder. In 1946, he learned at Ponovezh and became close to Rav Abba Grossbard and Rav Eliyahu Dessler. After his marriage in 1951, he continued his studies at the Ponovezh Kollel In 1954, Rav Wolf asked him to direct the Or Hachaim Seminary for girls. He headed this institution for thirty years. In1985, he was appointed head of the Seminar Avos of the Ponovezh Institutions of Ashdod, and the educational director of Be'er Miriam in Bnei Brak, and remained in those capacities until his final day.

Rav Hershel Mashinsky, co-founder of Kupath Ezrah of Rockland County. He began teaching at Yeshiva of Spring Valley in 1947, then after marrying Malka leah Felsenburg and moving to Monsey, at the Talmud Torah and Mesivta Ohr Reuven. (1925-2004)

Birth and petira of Asher ben Yaakov Avinu (1565 BCE)

Rav Avraham Abba Freedman (1920-2002). He was sent from Brooklyn to Detroit in 1944 by his rebbe, Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz in order to help launch the day school that had been established there by Rav Simcha Wasserman. On his first Shavuos there, the only two people to stay up learning Torah were Rabbis Freedman and Wasserman. Rav Freedman is credited with the growth of Detroit into a Torah metropolis, including a yeshiva ketana, a mesivta, a Bais Yaakov, a beis medrash, and a kollel.

Rav Yosef of Yampoli (1812). Son of Rav Yechiel Michael HaMaggid of Zlotskov.

Rav Dr. Chaim Dovid Bernhard of Pietrokov, famed baal teshuva who became a Rebbe

Rav Moshe Galante (Galanti) II of Yerushalayim (1620-1689), son of Rav Yehonasan, who was the son of Rav Moshe Galante the elder (1540-1614) who studied with Rav Yosef Karo. He wrote two halachic works, Elef HaMagen, which includes 1,000 responsa on various topics, Zevach Shelamim on the Talmud and Korban Chagigah on Tractate Chagigah. He strongly argued against the popularity of Shabsai Tzvi. His grandson was Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger, the Sfas Emes. Among his students were R' Chizkiyah De Silva, author of Pri Chadash (which is printed in the standard edition of the Shulchan Aruch), and R' Yaakov Chagiz and his son R' Moshe Chagiz. Refusing to accept the title of “Chief Rabbi” that was offered to him, he coined a new title-"Rishon Le'tzion."

Rav Yitzchak of Nezchizh (1868)

Rav Yechiel Meir Lifschitz (Lipschutz) of Gustinin [Gostynin; Gastinin] (1816-1888). He was a disciple of Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotsk and of Rav Yaakov Aryeh of Radzymin, after whose death he became chassidic leader in Gustinin. His teachings appear in Merom HaRim and Mei HaYam.

Rav Yaakov Weidenfeld of Tchebin, the Kochav MiYaakov (1894). His one volume of responsa, entitled Kochav MiYaakov, was a mere fraction of the thousands of responsa that he wrote, but which were lost in the two world wars. Rav Yaakov’s glosses to Seder Taharos and Talmud Yerushalmi were written in one day, as is indicated by their original title, Hagahos Chad Yoma.

Rav Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz, the Bialer Rebbe (1901-1982). Born in Biala, Poland, to Rav Yerachmiel Tzvi, the son of the Divrei Binah of Biala and a direct descendent of the Yid Hakadosh. The Divrei Binah passed away when Yechiel Yehoshua was only 4, and tragically, Rav Yerachmiel Tzvi passed away shortly thgereafter at the age of 26. In 1919, Rav Yechiel married Beila Chana Pesha, and in 1924, he was formally installed as Rebbe of Biala, and set up court in Shidlitz, with a population of 200,000 Jews. He was exiled to Siberia with his family in 1940. In 1947, he moved to Eretz Yisrael, living in Tel Aviv for 8 years before setting up his beis midrash and kollel in Zichron Moshe in Yerushalayim, where he remined for the next 27 years. He authored the sefer Chelkas Yehoshua.

Rav Yehoshua Heshel Brim, Rosh Yeshivas Tiferes Yisrael of Ruzhin-Yerushalayim (1986)

Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1787-1859). Born in Goray, near Lublin, Poland, Rav Menachem
Mendel received a thorough Torah education from his father, Leibush Morgenstern, a zealous opponent of
Chasidus. After his marriage at 14, his father introduced him to the world of Chasidus. Thereafter, he
became an ardent follower of the Chozeh of Lublin and Rav Simcha Bunam of Pshis'cha, whom he
eventually succeeded. R' Menachem Mendel was a new type of chassid. If the Baal Shem Tov embodied
chessed, Reb Mendel represented din. While the Baal Shem sought to reach all the people, Reb Mendel
knew that what he sought could only be attained by the elite. The Baal Shem lifted the people up, Reb
Mendel rebuked them for their inadequacies and always demanded more. Reb Leibel Eiger was entranced
by Kotzk, to the despair of his father, Rav Shlomo. Reb Mendel and Reb Mordechai Yosef of Ishbitz had
been close friends and disciples of Reb Simcha Bunim of Pshischa. After Reb Bunim’s passing Reb
Mendel became Rebbe. However, because of Reb Mendel’s extreme aloofness the two friends were
traveling on a collision course. Finally, on the Simchas Torah of 1840 there was an irrevocable split
between the two and Reb Mordechai Yosef left with his chassidim to form a new chassidus. Most
prominent among his students were the Chidushei Harim of Ger and Rav Chanoch of Alexander.

Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Eiger (1816-1888). A grandson of the renowned Rav Akiva Eiger, Rav Leibel was born in Warsaw. He learned under Rav Yitzchak Meir Alter, later known as the Chiddushei Harim in Warsaw. The Chiddushei Harim used to say, "True misnagdim don't really deserve to be punished, because they fight chassidus for the sake of heaven. Therefore, they are punished with a punishment that is not really a punishment – their sons become chassidim." At 20, he married and moved to Lublin where he davened at the Shul of the Chozeh. There, he befriended Rav Yisrael, the Chozeh’s son. He then moved to Kotzk. He became a rebbe after the Rebbe of Izbitza passed away in 1854. After his death his son, Rav Avraham, printed his sefarim “Toras Emes” and “Imrei Emes.”

Rebbetzen Chaya Mushka Schneerson (1901-1991).

Rav Yehuda Zev Segal, the Manchester Rosh Yeshiva (1910-1993). Born in Manchester to Rav Moshe Yitzchak Segal, the Rosh yeshiva and a former talmid of the Alter of Novardok, who received smicha from Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein, the Aruch Hashulchan. At the age of 20, Rav Yehuda Zev attended the Mir, where he learned with Rav Chaim Shmulevitz. He formed a close bond to Rav Yechezkel Levenstein, whom he referred to as “mori verabi.” After he married in 1934, he learned at Gateshead, but moved to Manchester after the Germans bombed Gateshead in 1940. On April 16, 1950, he was officially inducted as Rosh Yeshiva by Rav Yechezkel Abramsky, supported by Dayan Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (the Minchas Yitzchak), then the Manchester Av Beis Din.

Rav Shalom Flam, Strettiner Rebbe (1929-2003). Born in Montreal, he was the fifth of eight children born to Rabbi Dovid Flam, the Olesker Rebbe, and his Rebbetzin Sarah, the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Langner, the Strettiner Rebbe of Toronto.

Rav Aharon ben Chaim Avraham HaKohen Perachia (1627-1697). He was a wealthy man and was appointed chief rabbi of Salonika in 1688. He authored a responsa called Parach Mateh Aharon.

Rav Yehoshua (Shaya’le) Rokeach of Belz, fifth son and successor of Rav Shalom, the Sar Shalom, founder of the Belz dynasty (1825-1894). He married a granddaughter of the Oheiv Yisrael, the Apter Rav. After Rav Shalom was nifter in 1855, the Belz Chasidim had no leader for two years. Rav Yehoshua replaced his father two years later, in compliance with his father’s wishes, despite the fact that Rav Yehoshua had 4 older brothers. He led the Belz Chasidim for 39 years. He was also the founder of Machzikei HaDas, perhaps the first Orthodox Jewish organization to be involved in government politics. Some of his discourses are published in Ohel Yehoshua, a supplement to the book of his father's teachings, Dover Shalom. He was succeeded by his second son, Rav Yissachar Dov.

Rav Moshe Kliers (1874-1934). Born in Tzefas, he married the daughter of a prominent talmid chacham of the Slonim community in Teveria, and he went to live there. At the age of 26, in response to a request by Rav Shmuel, the Slonimer Rebbe, Rav Moshe founded a yeshiva (Ohr Torah) by the kever of Rav Meir Baal Haness by the shores of the Kineret. He was involved in the Teshuva Campaign of 1914. Rav Moshe authored the sefer Toras HaEretz.

Rav Asher Eliach (1952-2004). Born in Yerushalayim's Shaarei Chessed neighborhood, he learned at Yeshivas Kol Torah, where he cleaved to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Later, he studied at Yeshivas Ponovezh under Rav Shach, Rav Povarksky and Rav Rozovsky, He learned maseches Eruvin with all of the Rishonim and Acharonim over 20 times, becoming an expert on the subject, and numerous chareidi communities consulted with him. He was involved in the setup of eruvin in every part of Eretz Yisrael, For the last 5 years of his life, he served as mashgiach at yeshivas Rabbenu Chaim Ozer. Tragically, he died suddently of a heart attack during a melava Malka.

Rav Avraham Lopes Cardozo (1914-2006). Born in Amsterdam, Holland, the great-grandson of the Chief Rabbi of the Sephardim in Amsterdam, he attended Yeshiva Etz Haim in Amsterdam. In 1939 he was appointed by Queen Wilhemina to be rabbi of the Sephardic congregation in Paramaribo, capital of Surinam. He married Irma Robles of Surinam in 1951. He was appointed Chazan of the Portuguese Spanish Synagogue, Shearith Israel, in New York, in 1946, a position he kept for 40 years. On June 7, 2000, he was knighted by Queen Beatrix of Holland. He was the cousin of Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo.

Rav Shaul Halevi Mortorah (Mortira), Av Beis Din of Amsterdam, author of Givat Shaul (1660)

Rav Avraham Yechiel of Halberstadt, author of Nezer Hakodesh (1730)

Rav Shlomo Margulies, Rav of Zelitschek, a close talmid of the Baal Shem Tov (1733-1805).

Rav Shabtai Shaltiel, Rav in Yerushalayim (1846).

Rav Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810-1883), founder and spiritual father of the Mussar movement. Born in Zager (near Kovno), Lithuania, to Rav Ze’ev Wolf Lipkin, a descendent of the Vilna Gaon, Rav Yisrael became a close talmid Rav Zundel of Salant, who introduced him to the classic works of mussar. In 1840, he became rosh yeshiva of the Rameillas Yeshiva in Vilna, and later opened a yeshiva in Kovno. A compilation of his thoughts were recorded in a sefer, Or Yisrael, written by one of his closest talmidim,
Rav Yitzchak Blazer of Petersburg.Among his other close disciples are Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv of Kelm, Rav Yosef Yozel Hurwitz of Novardok

Rav Mordechai Pogramansky, the Iluy from Telz (1950) [1946].

Reb Shabsai, father of Rav Israel of Koshnitz (1761)

Rav Ephraim Zelaznik, born to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. In 1956, he became one of the first talmidim in Brisk, under Rav Yosef Dov Soloveichik. He taught at Yeshiva Eretz Tzvi for most of his life (1931-2005)

Rav Zalman Ury (1924-2006). A great-great-grandson of Rav Dovid Teveli, author of Nachalas Dovid, Rav Ury was born in Stolpce, Poland, and studied at Yeshiva Etz Hayim in Kletzk under Rav Aharon Kotler from 1934-1941. At the start of World War II, he was interned in a Siberian Concentration Camp, while his parents and siblings died at the hands of the Nazis. He spent the remainder of the war in Samarkand, Uzbekistan where he met his wife, Eva. They married soon after the war ended and emigrated to the United States in 1947, where he received his semicha at Lakewood. Rav Zalman received his B.S. from Washington University, St. Louis, then moved to Los Angeles in 1957. He earned his M.A. in Education from Loyola University and his Doctor of Education at UCLA. For 47 years, Rav Ury worked with the Bureau of Jewish Education, building and nurturing the yeshiva day school system. Under his direction, yeshiva enrollment in Los Angeles increased from less than 1,000 talmidim to more than 5,500, and the number of schools increased from five in 1960 to 21 by the time of his passing. He wrote over 100 articles and educational materials for journals and books, and authored the books, “The Musar Movement,” and “The Story of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter.” In 2001, he published Kedushas Avraham, a two-volume work containing chidushei Torah, mussar teachings and correspondences with gedolei Yisrael, includingRav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Henkin and Rav Simcha Wassermann, as well as an essay on his rebbe Rav Yosef Aryeh Leib Nanedik hy”d – the mashgiach at Yeshiva Etz Chaim. For many years he served as Rav of Young Israel Congregation of Beverly Hills.

Rav Dovid Halevi Segal, author of Turei Zahav (the Taz) (1586-1667), son-in-law of the Bach. Born in Cracow. Unofficial Rabbi of Posen 1619-~1640. Headed famous yeshiva at Ostro from 1643, escaped Cossacks 1648-49 to Lublin, then Moravia. Settled in Lemberg (Lvov). Lost 2 sons to violent deaths in Spring of 1664. Sent his son Yeshaya and son-in-law Aryeh Leib (later to be the Shaagas Aryeh) to investigate Shabsai Tzvi. He also wrote Divrei Dovid on Rashi al HaTorah.

Rav Mordechai Yosef Elazar Leiner (Lainer) (1929), Rebbe of Radzin, son of the Baal Hatecheiles and great-grandson of Mordechai Yosef of Izhbitz. He was the author of Tiferes Yosef. He was succeeded by his son, Rav Shmuel Shlomo, and then by his son-in-law, Rav Avraham Yissachar Engrand.

Rav Shaul Broch of Kashau (1940).

Rav Yaakov Landau, Rav of Bnei Brak (1986)

Rav Ephraim Nachum Borodiansky of Yeshiva Kol Torah (1990).

Rav Elazar Rokeach (1758-1837). Born in Stanislow, Poland, he was the son of R' Arye Leib and a grandson of the baal Ateres Poz of Lask. When he was 13, he celebrated three landmarks: his bar mitzvah, his engagement and his completion of Shas. At the age of twenty, he became rov in Piltz, Poland. During this period, he wrote his sefer Sheilos Uteshuvos Shemen Rokeach in which he printed his correspondence with the Noda Beyehuda. In 1800, he accepted rabbonus in Tritch. In 1812, he took over the rabbinate of Ransburg, and it was there that he waged his famous battle against the reformer Aaron Chaviner. Together with the Chasam Sofer, R' Akiva Eiger and R' Chaim Banet, he fought against the reformers in letters that are printed in the sefer Eileh Divrei Habris.

Rav Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl.

Rav Yosef Zundel Hutner (1846-1919). Born in Dvinsk, he was taught by his father at an early age. At the age of 25, Rav Yosef Zundel published Bikurei Yosef. (In the introduction, he bemoans the passing of his young wife.) Thereafter he moved to Bialystok, where he remarried and learned bechavrusa Rav Meir Simcha Hakohen of Dvinsk. In 1897, he became Rav of Eishishok.

Rav Mordechai Shulman (1982), son-in-law of Rav Chaim Yitzchak Isaac Sher, he succeeded his father-in-law as Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka. His only son was Rav Nosson Tzvi Shulman, who married a daughter of Rav Yechiel Schlesinger.

Rav Dovid Moshe of Chortkov (1914-1988). Born to Rav Dov Ber of Chortkov in Boyan, Ukraine, he moved with his family to Vienna as a youth. When his grandfather, Rav Yisrael, the Chortkover Rebbe, died in 1934, he was succeeded by both of his sons, Rav Nachum Mordechai, and Rav Dov Ber. When Rav Dov Ber tragically passed away just two years later, Rav Dovid Moshe humbly refused to take his place. Shortly after Kristallnacht (November 9, 1938), Rav Dovid Moshe moved to England and settled in the suburb of Edgeware, London. In 1968, he married Leah and was blessed with three children. In 1988, he gave his final shiur in Golders Green.

Rav Alexander Sender of Zholkov, (~1660-1737). He was the son of Rav Ephraim Zalman Shor, Magid of Lvov, and was orphaned as an infant. In 1704, Rav Alexander Sender went to live in Zholkov (Zolkiew) where he remained for the rest of his life, devoting himself to study and writing and earning his living working in a distillery. He was the author of Tevuos Shor, first published in 1733, on shechita and kashrus. He was a great-grandnephew of Rav Ephraim Zalman Shor, the author of a sefer by the same name, Tevuos Shor, a condensation of the Beis Yosef. [27 Shvat, according Hamodia 2006]

Rav Emanuel of Preshedvorz (1802-1865). Successor to his father, the Rebbe Reb Yeshayale (d. 1831).

Rav Yosef Dovid Zindheim (Sinzheim; Zunzheim; Sintzheim), (1745 (or 1736) -1812). Born to Rav Yitzchak Isaac Sintzheim, Rav of Treves (Trier) and Niederheim (Niedernai) in the Alsace region on the border between France and Germany. As a youth, Yosef Dovid learned with R' Shmuel Hillman-Halpern, who was the Rav of Metz between Rav Yehonasan Eyebschutz and the Sha'agas Aryeh. At the age of 20, the Reb Yosef Dovid married Esther Medelsheim. In 1778, Esther’s wealthy brother, Naftali Herz (aka Cerf Berr de Medelsheim) established a yeshiva in Bischeim (near Strasbourg), and he appointed his brother-in-law Rav Sintzheim to be rosh yeshiva. It was also at this time that R' Sintzheim began composing his monumental Talmud commentary Yad Dovid. He also wrote Shelal Dovid on Chumash, Da'as Dovid on the Shulchan Aruch, and an encyclopedia of halachic and Talmudic topics called Minchas Ani. He was appointed to the Assembly of Jewish Notables convened by Napoleon (1806), appointed president of the Great Sanhedrin, and named by Napoleon as inaugural chief rabbi of Central Consistoire.

Rav Mordechai Goldman, Zvihller Rebbe (1979). Son of Rav Gedalya Moshe.
Note: Novohrad-Volyns'kyi (Russian: Novgorodvolynsk, Yiddish: Zhvil, Zhvill) is a City in Zhytomyr Oblast, Volhynia, Ukraine.

Rav Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl, the Rachmistrivka Rebbe (1840-1937); son of Rav Yochanon; grandson of Rav Menachem Nachum (author of Meor Einayim).

Rav Shalom Zelig Steinmetz, elder Vizhnitz chasid

Rav Ephraim Ezra Laniado, author of Degel Machaneh Ephraim

Rav Eliezer Alpa (originally Potshnik) (1896-1990). Born in the Russian town of Ulshan, he joined the Novardok school in Charkov when he was only 11. During that period, he studied incessantly with his chavrusa, Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, the future Rosh Yeshiva of Mir. During the ravages World War 1, the bachurim to Poland and joined the Novardok yeshivah's branch in Bialystock. There, Rav Eliezer learned b’chavrusa with Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon. He married Shulamis, the daughter of Rav Meir Karelitz. Under the recommendation, he headed a yeshiva in Galician city of Gorlitz, but he did not remain long because, in 1935, the Chazon Ish and other prominent rabbanim urged him to settle in Eretz Yisrael. At first, he moved into the one-room home of his uncle, the Chazon Ish, where the Steipler Gaon and his wife were also staying. Not long afterwards, Rav Eliezer decided to move to Haifa in order to found a yeshivah in that spiritual wasteland.

Rav Nesanel Quinn (1910-2005), menahel at Mesivta Torah Vodaas for almost 80 years. Rav Nesanel’s parents’ Reb Zalman Pinchas and Devorah Miriam were neighbors of the Rogochover Rav in Dvinsk, Lithuania, and were childless for 10 years. Upon the advice of Rav Shalom Ber of Lubavich, they moved to America (they were promised a family and arichas yomim; they had 5 children, and she lived to 111 years.) Reb Nesanel was a talmid of Rav Dovid Leibowitz. He later became the talid muvhak of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendelovitz, at Torah Vodaas, and stayed there as an educator. In conjunction with his first yahrtzeit, the sefer Birkas Moadecha on Mesechta Beitzah will be released [along with] a supplement, Zichron Nesanel, which includes short stories abiout Rav Quinn and letters he wrote (Hamodia Feb. 22, 2006).

Rav Eliyahu Habachur Halevi “the Ba’al Hatishbi,” famous Hebrew grammarian (1549).

Rav Yitzchak Yerucham Diskin, the Maharil Diskin (1839-1925), born in Valkovisk, Russia, the son of Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin of Brisk and Rebbetzin Hinda Rochel. He started studying gemara on his own at the age of 5. After his Bar Mitzvah, he studied in seclusion for 14 hours a day. At 16, he left for Volozhin. After his father’s petira in 1898, he was asked to succeed him as president of the Diskin Orphanage and head of the Ohel Moshe Yeshiva. At first, he refused, but in 1908, when he saw that Yerushalayim’s Torah institutions were in danger due to Zionists’ efforts to destroy them, he decided to make aliya. Together with Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, he faught against the Maskilim. Both of them were elected honorary presidents of the charedi Vaad Ha’ir, which soon became known as the Eida Hacharedis.

Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Alter of Slabodka (1849-1927). Born in Rasei, Lithuania, he was orphaned at an early age and was raised by a relative in Vilna. He became a devoted follower of Rav Simcha Zissel, the Alter of Kelm. Rav Nosson Tzvi organized a kollel of ten men in Slabodka in about 1877. He began a yeshiva katana there and was later instrumental in starting the yeshiva in Telz and having Rav Eliezer Gordon appointed as Rosh Yeshiva. He founded the Slabodka Yeshiva in 1884. In 1897, the Yeshiva split over the teaching of mussar. Seventy of the 300 students sided with the Alter and formed a new yeshiva, Kenesses Yisrael. In 1897, he founded the yeshiva in Slutsk and appointed Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer its Rosh Yeshiva. After World War I, the yeshiva in Kletzk, headed by Rav Nosson Tzvi’s disciple, Rav Aharon Kotler, developed. He also helped Rav Shimon Skop develop yeshivos by sending his own students. In 1909, a yeshiva was set up in Stutchin, led by his disciple, Rav Yehuda Leib Chasman, and the Lodz yeshiva was the first outpost of mussar in Poland. His influence was also felt in long-standing yeshivos, as his disciples became parts of them. His son, Rav Eliezer Finkel, became rosh yeshiva of Mir, for example. In 1925, he fulfilled a long-standing personal vow by moving to Eretz Yisrael, settling in Chevron. His discourses are collected in Or Hatzafun.

Rav Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum (1836-1904), author of Kedushas Yom Tov. Born in Stropkov, Slovakia, to Rav Yekusiel Yehuda Teitelbaum (author of Yital Lev), who was a grandson of Rav Moshe Teitelbaum, the Yismach Moshe. Rav Chananya’s primary teachers were Rav Chaim of Sanz and Rav Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov. At the age of 28, he became Rav of the small town of Tesh, a position he held for 19 years. After his father’s petira in 1883, he succeeded him in Sighet, Hungary. Rav Chananya had no children with his first wife, a marriage that lasted 14 years. He remained childless for many years with his second wife as well, until Rav Chaim of Sanz gave him a bracha. Indeed, he had two sons, Rav Chaim Tzvi of Sighet, and Rav Yoel, the Rebbe of Satmar. By 1941, 10,144 Jews lived in Sighet, comprising 39% of the town. The town was liquidated via deportation to Auschwitz. But, the community lives on in America and Israel.

Rav Zalman Sender Kahana-Shapira, born in Nisowiz, in the Minsk region of Russia, to Rav Moshe Shapira, av beis din of Lida and son-in-law of Rav Chaim of Volozhin. Rav Zalman sender learned under the Beis HaLevi and his son, Rav Chaim Brisker, in Volozhin. He married and lived in Kobrin, where he raised 5 children (4 boys and a girl). When his wife tragically passed away, he married the widow of Rav Binyamin Wolf Hayahalomstein, Rav of Maltsch, and moved tot hat city. He eventually became Rav of Maltsch and started a yeshiva there, Anaf Eitz Chaim, modeling it after Eitz Chaim of Volozhin. In 1902, he moved the yeshiva to Kriniki where he became Rav. Among his students there were Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky and Rav Aharon Kotler. In 1921, he moved to the Shaarei Chesed section of Yerushalayaim. (1851-1923)

Rav Nosson Horowitz (2001), Rav of K’hal Sheiris Yisrael of Williamsburg, then Rav of Kehillas Bais Yisrael of Monsey. He was born in Vienna, the son of the Riglitzer Rav and grandson of the Altshteter Rav and the Liminover Rav (the Meoros Nosson), for whom he was named.

Rav Moshe of Zaloshin, author of Mishpat Tzedek, Tikkun Shabbos, and Geulas Yisrael (1788-1831). In 1815, he was appointed leader of the chassidic community in Zaloshin.

Rav Shmuel Abba of Horedneka [Horodenka] (1895). Son of Rav Baruch of Vishnitz, the Imrei Baruch The town of Horodenka sits on the Dneister River some 30 miles from Chernovtsy, in the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains. Kiev is 250 miles northeast of Horodenka and Lviv (Lemberg) is 110 miles to the northwest. This area was also known as Galicia when under Austro-Hungarian rule. Jews first settled there under Polish rule during the middle of the 17th century. According to the census of 1765, there were 863 Jewish families in Horodenka. According to data of 1890, 4340 of the 11,162 inhabitants of the town and 7 of the 18 members of the municipal council were Jews. By the end of the 19th century a local Benei Zion society had been founded, which by 1897 consisted of about 150 members.

Rav Yerucham Fishel Perla (1846-1934). Born in Warsaw in 1846 and studied under R' Yehoshua Leib Diskin in Lomza and under R' Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik. While he was still young, he was offered prestigious rabbinates, including in Lublin and Krakow, but he turned them down so he could continue his studies. He is known for his encyclopedic commentary to the Sefer Ha'mitzvot by R' Saadiah Gaon.