Five Halakhic Luminaries (1975)

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The Happy Light: R. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1975)

A) I. R Meir Dan Plotzky: Dvinsk = luckiest all cities – such small pace, 2 such giants! 2. all 3 subjects – RHB; R; RMS – mutual respect, affection. B) Life 1. R. Meir of Tiktin long visit ר' קלשנימום קלמן הכהן + wife אסנת in District of Vilna (RKK = respected merchant, למדן): blessing: ch – tribe מאיר עיני ישראל בתורהכ 2. ch. b. 1843, + in honor ר' מאיר מטיקיטן דכנה שיאיר – called מאיר שמחה. 3. at 7 – all תנ"ך; at 8 – all סדר נזיקין + 1/2 נשים w. רש"י ותוס.

General Jewish History

The Lithuanian Luminaries, Part 1: The Gaon of Vilna (1967)

I. Only fair – after 2 years on Hasidism, talk on Lithuanians. I always strive fairness; family Hasidic, thesis Mitnagdism. For disadvantg. Vilna Today: 20-25, 000 Jews, mostly assimilated. About 50 Jews in shul Shabbat, no Rabbi. Once: Yerushalayim de'Lita – describe... teeming population, special synagogues and Sheurim for carpenters, tailors, shoemakers... But: beginning 18 century: all Europe impoverished. Spiritually: despair. After Sabbatai Zevi. No giants, masses despondent. Yet: in

Chasidim & Mitnagdim General Jewish History

Three Halachic Luminaries, Part 2: The Revealer of Secrets - The Rogatchover (1975)

I. 1. R. Joseph Rosen – "The Rogatschaver (=R) Rain", b. Rogatschov (Mohilev district) 1858 to father – למדן וחסיד. 2. early ages עלוי – remarkable התמדה, brilliant mind. At 8 yrs. knew all סדר נזיקין, outgrow teachers. So, 8-13: studies w. father. At בר מצווה, father takes him to Slutzk to בית הלוי. For one year, a חברותא of ר' חיים בריסקר. 3. At 18, marries a Garfinkel from Warsaw (very mod-women – played bridge, etc.). 8 yrs. קעסט. All גדולי ורשה come to consult him. In 1889 – takes position Rabbi Has'c dynasty Drinks (Latvia) (Hence: ר' יאשע דיינסקער).

Chasidim & Mitnagdim General Jewish History