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

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Five Halakhic Luminaries (1975)

This is a series of five lectures on five of the most distinguished and influential halakhic scholars of modern times. Each lecture presents the biography of the man in question, describes his major works, and his influence in his lifetime and over succeeding generations. A good part of each lecture is devoted to presenting some of the halakhic concepts and intellectual achievements of the subject of the lecture. Since this is often quite technical, the material is simplified, and is supplemented by some brief commentaries and insights by the subject under discussion. Source material may be found in Rabbi Zevin's Ishim ve'Shitot, and in the two series by the late Rabbi Y.L. Maimon, Sarei ha־Meiah, and Midei Hodesh beHadsho, and related literature.The Gaon of Vilna. The family background of Rabbi Elijah, and the incredible genius revealed at the very earliest age. His ascetic bent, and total devotion to study. Leader of the opposition to the Hasidim. The Gaon as Kabbalist. His relation to Eretz Israel. Pioneering work in external and internal criticism of the Talmud. His attitude to philosophy and secular studies. His anti-rationalism.Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin. Family background. His relationship to the Gaon of Vilna. His sterling character. Founder of the Yeshiva of Volozhin and his educational philosophy. The leading theoretician of the Mitnaggedim. His view of classical Rabbinism and opposition to Hasidism. Unprecedented emphasis on the study of Torah. His Nefesh ha-Hayyim ("The Living Soul").Rabbi Hayyim Soleveitchik of Brisk. The Beit ha-Rav — the intellectual Torah aristocracy beginning with the Gaon. H1s father and the "Netziv." As Rosh Yeshiva in Volozhin. His Rabbinate 1n Brisk. Founder of a new talmudic methodology: the halakhic dichotomy. Examples, especially concerning laws of prayer. Attitude to Hasidim-Mitnaggedim controversy. View on suspension of the Law where there is danger to life. A man of truth and a man of compassion.Rabbi Joseph Rosen, the Gao…

Chasidim & Mitnagdim General Jewish History

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 3: Rabbi Hayyim of Brisk (1967)

I. Introduction: *Gaon, RHV, and RHB – made of Torah students a Jewish aristocracy; And within this context, the family and disciple line represented by these 3 – a Royal House – "Beth Ha-Rav" (בית הרב). Today – "the Rav" – no father – history of RHB. *Gaon's student: RHV. Transforms Lithuania from cultural desert to Oasis of Torah – the Yeshivah. One scholar: "Vol. not a town or a school, but a concept." *The dynasty: RHV; his son R. Isaac; then his first s-i-l R. Eliezer

Chasidim & Mitnagdim General Jewish History