|
Source Biography The Zohar The Zohar is the
central work of the Kabbala and Jewish mysticism. It first became known in
the thirteenth century. The Zohar is actually composed of several works,
the most well-known that of the commentary of the five Books of Moses.
Because of its esoteric nature, the Zohar was not published until 1558
when it appeared in Mantua, Italy amidst some controversy. Numerous
commentaries have been written on different parts including those by R.
Moshe Cordovero, the Gaon of Vilna, and R. Gershon Henoch Lainer of Radzyn.
R. Dovid Luria (Kadmus Sefer HaZohar) and R. Isaac Chaver (Magen V’Tsina)
wrote works to prove the antiquity of the Zohar. It is a complex work of
varying levels of difficulty. It has inspired many generations to a deeper
understanding of the Torah. R. Pinchas of Koretz, one of the Hasidic
masters and an associate of the Ba’al Shem Tov commented that he could not
exist without the Zohar.
Malbim, Rabbi
Meir Leibush Rav and
Biblical commentator (1809-1879), Malbim is an acronym of his name Meir
Leibush ben Yechiel Michel. He was born in Volhynia and was still a child when his father died. he studied in his native town until the age of 13. He then went to Warsaw where he was known as the ‘iluy (prodigy) from Volhynia.’ He was Rav of several cities but he suffered much persecution because of his uncompromising stand against Reform, leading even to a brief imprisonment on a false accusation. He wandered much of his life, serving as Rav in various cities for several years at a time-even serving for a short while as chief Rabbi of Rumania. His
fame and immense popularity rests upon his widely esteemed commentary to
the Bible. His first published commentary was on
Megillas Esther
(1845). His commentary to the remaining books of the Bible were published
between then and 1876. His
commentary on the Bible (as the author sets forth in his introduction to
Isaiah) is based upon three fixed principles: in the text of the Torah and
the figurative language of the prophets there are no more synonyms
repetitions; profound and brilliant philosophical approach to Biblical
commentary, and his similar Commentary to
Psalms. The
Rambam, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon Moses Maimonides is known as the greatest Jewish philosopher and codifier of Jewish law in history. Born in Cordova, Spain, he was forced to flee from fanatical Moslems at the age of thirteen, where he traveled with his family to North Africa, and ten years later to Palestine. As a result of the devastation left by the Crusaders, Palestine was virtually uninhabitable, forcing the family to move to Fostat (current day Cairo). Throughout these journeys, the young Maimonides had concentrated on Torah studies under the guidance of his father, and by the time he reached Fostat had become a famous scholar. Supported by his merchant brother, the Rambam was able to write copiously, gaining international acclaim in both Jewish and secular fields of knowledge. After the tragic death of his brother, the responsibility of supporting his family fell on the Rambam's shoulders, and through his fame he was appointed chief physician of the Sultan. Despite the immense workload that was required, not only with his responsibilities to the royal family, but to the entire Egyptian community as the official Nagid (royally appointed leader), and to the halachic questions of world Jewry known as responsa, the Rambam was remarkably able to complete some of his greatest Jewish works, including his philosophical work The Guide for the Perplexed and his magnum opus the Mishna Torah - the great codification of all Jewish law.
While he was considered an undisputed leader of world Jewry
at the time, there was bitter opposition to much of his works because they
incorporated much of Aristotelian philosophy that went against the
traditional purist ideology of much of Ashkenazic Jewry, and others
believed his codifications would make much of the role of the rabbi and
the oral tradition obsolete. Sefer HaChinuch Written toward the latter part of the thirteenth century, the Chinuch contains a discussion of the 613 mitzvos organizes according to the order of the weekly parsha. Based primarily on the Rambam and Ramban each mitzvah is divided into four parts: (1) A brief statement of the essence of the mitzvah; (2) The reason for the mitzvah; this is probably the most original part of the work. Written for a young person, the reasons given are those that would be understandable to a young person; (3) A summary of the details of the mitzvah; and (4) When and to whom the mitzvah applies. The Chinuch emphasizes throughout that a person's inner being is shaped by the actions he performs. Thus, proper performance of the mitzvos influences the doer to become a better person. The work is written in a simple, clear and inspiring style.
For a long time the Chinuch
was attributed to Rabbi Aharon HaLevi (the RAH) but it has been
conclusively shown that he could not have been the author. Several
years ago it was thought that Reb Aharon's brother, R. Pinchas HaLevi, was
the author, but that theory was refuted. Other theories of
authorship have been propounded none of which are convincing.
Nevertheless, the anonymity of the author has not affected its universal
appeal and continued popularity.
Rav Tzadok HaCohen
Rav Tzadok, or “The Kohein” as he was
known amongst Chassidim, was one of the most prolific authors in the
history of the Chassidic movement. Born into a non-Chassidic rabbinic
family, Rav Tzadok became famous as a child prodigy authoring articles and
books which later became classics. Later in life, Rav Tzadok became
Chassidic and became a Chassid of the Izbitcher Rebbe. Having excelled in
both the Chassidic and non-Chassidic world, Rav Tzadok’s writings became a
synthesis of analytical logic and mysticism. Eventually, Rav Tzadok became
the Rebbe of Lublin. His writings are treasured by scholars everywhere.
Rav Yaacov Leiner of
Radzyn Yaacov Leiner was the son of R. Mordechai Yosef, the Ishbitzer Rebbe and author of Mei Shiloach. After his father’s death, he inherited the position of Hasidic Rebbe. His penetrating commentaries on the Torah and Festivals are characterized by a remarkable insight into the words of the Sages, and a profound sensitivity to the tension between spiritual aspiration and human frailty.
Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner Rav
Hutner was a founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Pachad Yitzchok in Har Nof
Jerusalem, Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin and Kollel Gur Aryeh which have
produced thousands of disciples. Though a brilliant Rosh Yeshiva whose
lectures on Talmud were dazzling, he expended greater efforts on his
discourses on morals and ethics and on demonstrating the spiritual power
of the Yomim Tovim (Jewish Holidays)
and Yomim Noraim (High
Holy Days). This came from his recognition that though there were
many Roshei Yeshiva capable of delivering illuminating Talmudic lectures,
there were very few who could provide guidance in the non-halachic
‘aspects’ of Torah and Avodah (worship); who could provide a body of
principles that made Judaism exciting, challenging, and inspiring. Recognizing the critical importance of creating well-rounded disciples prepared to communicate the power and depth of Judaism he concentrated his efforts in this area. In 1949 he began publishing his discourses on morals and ethics which he subtitled, Divrei Torah B’inyanei Hilchot Deot V’Chovot Halevovot, a phrase formerly used by Rav Kook, who exercised a profound influence upon him. He
combined brilliance of intellect with intense passion and once remarked,
“I speak poetry and they wish to hear prose.” He was interested in all
areas of knowledge and was the antithesis of provincialism. He said that
contradictions did not bother him and once proudly recalled having had R.
Amram Blau and R. Tzvi Yehudah Kook in his waiting room at the same time. As a
young man he wrote Torat Hanazir on the Rambam Hilchot Nezirut. He wrote
a profound commentary (Kovetz Heaarot) on Rabbeinu Hillel on the Safra.
His discourses on Yomim Tovim and
Shabbat (Pachad Yitzchok)
are collected in seven volumes. In addition there is a volume of letters
and a Memorial (Sefer Zikkaron) volume which contains a 130 page
biography. |
