Rabbi Moshe Calphon HaKohein - Shoel VeNishal

Rabbi Moshe Calphon HaKohein - known for the responsa he wrote entitled "Shoel VeNishal" an 8 volume collection of Halachic responsa of more than 3000 answers, was born on 12 Shevat 5634/1874 and departed this world on the 18 Tevet 5710/1950. He was the rabbi of the Island of Gerba and one of the giants in Torah of Tunisia in the previous generation. To date, some 44 books of his writings have been published, with many other works still in manuscript form.

Already from a young age his talents were recognised. He studied the laws of Shechita and Bedika (Shu"b) the laws for ritual slaughter and checking of the animal for signs indicating the animal may not be kosher - in the city of Zervis in Gerba, and received his ordination for Shechita from the rabbis in Gerba. At the tender age of 25, he was already asked to officiate on the Beit Din in Gebra - but he refused all offers - for reasons amongst others that he wanted to earn his Parnassah from the work of his own hands i.e. and not to receive his income from his Torah activities.

He was in the process of making Aliyah to come to live in the land of Israel when, during his activities to arrange for his papers, he died in Tunisia where he is buried. Later, in 2005 his bones were taken to be buried in the land of Israel - being buried on Har Hamenunchot next to Rabbi Masas, Rabbi of Jerusalem. He was eulogised by Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef who emphasized his particular strict observance and approach and direction in Halachic thinking in accordance with the laws as laid out by Rabbi Yosef Karo in his Shuchan Aruch.

Rabbi Salman Mutzafi (Kabbalist of the Previous Generation)

Rabbi Salman Mutzafi (27 Shevat 5660/1900 - 17 Tevet 5734/1974) was one of the rare giants of Torah of the previous generation. He was of a true Kabbalist in the fullest sense of the word - but read on to understand what that really means.

He was born in Baghdad - home of the Ben Ish Chai - Rabbi Yosef Chaim and though he was only 9 years old when the Ben Ish Chai died - he was already enamored by him - never having had his thirst quenched from this giant of Torah. In those very young years of his life, he would do everything he could to push through the crowds of people listening to the Shiurim of the Ben Ish Chai - to catch a glimpse of this giant, to kiss his hands, to listen to some words of true holiness - and to receive his blessings for his own success in his life. It seems those blessings came to fruition too...

His family had come out from amongst the exile from Spain many years before - then known as the Musafiya family - but due to people not pronouncing his name correctly - it was eventually changed to Mutzafi. His father would take him to Shul at the tender age of 2 so that he would be surrounded by the images of the leading Tzaddikim of that time - and so that he would absorb only words of Kedusha (holiness) and Tahara (purity.) He began studying in "Midrash Talmud Torah" at the young age of 5 - and make no mistake - he become thoroughly absorbed in everything he studied - being unable to take himself away from the holy words of Torah... for his entire life. At the age of 6 he was already completely fluent in reciting the entire Torah with all it's musical cantilations and correct grammar off by heart!

At the age of 9, he left his home secretly in order to attend the funeral of the Ben Ish Chai - and accepted upon himself to devote his life to Torah study with an added measure of separation and holiness - as the casket of the Ben Ish Chai was lowered into the ground. He would tie a string to his finger and run it through to the door of his father's room and tie it gently on the handle - so that when his father would awaken at midnight to begin his recitation of Tikun Chatzos and study of Torah - he would wake up himself to join him.

When his father died, he sanctified all his time to Torah study and to live a life of great modesty away from the fanfare and matters of the community - and to immerse himself in the Kavanot (mystical intentions of prayer) of the Rashash (Rabbi Shalom Sharabi.)

By the tender age of 16 - he had already worked through the entire Tur (presumably with all the commentaries) - a monumental work and a tremendous effort to work through for even the average Torah scholar - years older than he was then. At the age of 18, he was certified as a Shochet (ritual slaughter) and a Mohel. He was also respected by the Muslim community. He joined his teacher - the great kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Petaya in the year 5695/1935 in the Holy Land - a year after his teacher had already arrived.

For two years, he studied the Kavanot (mystical intentions) of the Rashash. He would take one hour to recite the Kriat Shema! He would take two hours to recite the morning blessings! He would spend his days and nights immersed in performing the holy Yichudim - unifications - in order to draw down abundant blessing to all the worlds and to hasten the redemption.

He was very careful with the Kashrut of food and during the Shemita year (as is this year), he would travel out on his own to the non-Jewish fields in order to obtain his fruits and vegetables.

In 5708/1948 - due to the danger of Jewish life at that precarious time in Jewish history, he moved his Yeshiva "Bnei Tzion" - which focused on the study of Zohar and Kabbalah, from Kever Rachel to the "Tevig" Shul in Rashbam Street Jerusalem. When the money he had brought with him from Iraq had run out, he took over the running of the "Ohel Rachel" Shul for the sake of providing Parnassah to him and his family - and refused to make use of his Torah knowledge as a means to obtain his Parnassah.

He immersed himself in the meditations and mystical intentions of the Rashash Siddur for a period of 40 years and never stopped discovering new novel insights into Torah. He was fluent in all four areas of Torah - Pardes - Peshat (simple meaning,) Remez (hint/allusion/gematria,) Drush (homiletic,) and Sod (secret / Kabbalah).

He was an expert in the secrets of calculating the calendar times and astronomy. Even though Rabbi Yehuda Petaya gave him Semicha so that he be known as "Chacham" (a wise man - in the language of the Sefardi lexicon, and surely the greatest of compliments to indicate his level of learning,) he was strict that nobody refer to him in that way.

Close to midnight on Tuesday evening in the year 5735, his life situation became severe. He asked for a glass of tea, made a blessing upon it, drank, lay on his right side, recited the Kriat Shema  and returned his soul to it's Maker.

Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis

Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis and his Wife

Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis (1864 - 7 Sivan 1953) was one of the outstanding scholars from the previous generation. By the age of 17, he had already mastered the entire Talmud to such a degree that he was able to recite it forwards and backwards (literally.) He was born in the city of Shnipshik close to Vilna in Lita and arrived to learn in the famous Yeshiva of Volozhin at the age of 17. He received his Semicha from Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Berlin - known better as the Netziv - Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin. He also received his Semicha from Rabbi Elchanan Spektor and Rabbi Shlomo HaKohen (The Cheshek Shlomo). In 1894 (at the age of just 30) he was appointed as the Rav and Av Beit Din in Bodoki in Palach Hurdana and remained there until 1912. 

In 1938 he made Aliyah and worked as Rosh Yeshiva of Ohel Moshe. After the death of Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushensky in 1949, he became the head of the Eida HaCharedit and remained in this capacity until his death in 1953 - having lived 89 years. He is buried on Har Hamenuchot in Jerusalem. Some of his famous students include Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv and Rabbi Yisrael Grossman.

Once, it came to the attention of Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik from Brisk that there was a Bachur (young student) named Zelig Reuven Bengis who could recite the entire ShaS (the Talmud) both forwards and backwards. He could not believe that such a young man was capable of this and asked to meet with him to test him. When Rabbi Soloveitchik met him and asked him whether the news was true, Rabbi Bengis answered that it would be better to test him. Rabbi Soloveitchik tested him by asking him to recite a particular piece of Gemara off by heart - only, this time, from the end of the Gemara backwards to its beginning! Indeed, he found the "rumour" to be 100% true - at which point in time he acknowledged the rumour, never having to test the young Bachur again!

Once, when he was just a young student in Yeshiva, a wealthy man approached the Yeshiva with the news that he would donate an entire carton of wine (12 bottles) to the Yeshiva if the student Zelig Reuven Bengis could pass his test. In those days, such an offer was well sought after and to receive such a prize was a true gift! The Bachur approached, and the wealthy man began his test. He asked the young man to recite a certain Mishna in one section of the Talmud off by heart. Then he was to recite another Mishna from a different place - also off by heart. However, there was a catch! He would have to intertwine the two Mishnayot by reciting the first word of the first Mishna and then the first word of the second Mishna. Then he would have to recite the second word of the second Mishna with the second word of the second Mishna and so on. Indeed, Rav Bengis did not fail the test, winning the much sought out wine for the Yeshiva!

Once, when he was already acting in the capacity as Rav, a young man learning in Kollel approach Rav Bengis to talk with him in learning. He was over impressed with himself and filled with great pride that he was able to discuss the issues with the great Rabbi. When Rav Bengis saw his arrogance, he gently put him in his place. Rav Bengis asked the young man to select any book from the bookshelf that he would like to learn. Then he was to recite just a few words from anywhere on the page and that he would continue. Rav Bengis then began tor recite word for word the remaining words on the page, continuing with a lengthy discussion discussing the points. He then asked the young man to select another book and do the same - and continued this way with a third and fourth book. By the end of the day, the young man had learnt a fortune of Torah and seen the real greatness of a true Torah giant. At this point, Rav Bengis gently berated the Avreich. He explained to him that in truth man is just worms (Rima Ve'Toleah) and there was no need for such a being to be filled with pride - since after all, he will one day leave this world in any case and this is how he will end up!

The Netziv very much wanted to "show off" his student at one point in time but never seemed to have the chance. One day, the Russian authorities approach the Netziv reprimanding him for having set up a Yeshiva which did not teach the secular values of the government - to such a degree that the men in Yeshiva did not even know the Russian language! The Netziv critisized them heavily stating that not only were the students knowledgeable in the Russian language, but they did in fact listen to all the instructions told to them by the government. He even had such a student who would recite everything over word for word and even backwards - so attentive was he! The official decided to test the Netziv by giving over a lecture and then asking the students questions. When the lecture was over, the Netziv asked Rav Zelig Reuven Bengis to tell them what they had said. Rav Bengis relayed over word for word every single thing the authority had said - and then said it over yet again from the end to the beginning in reverse order! The authorities, upset at having been defeated replied that one could prove nothing from the uniqueness of such a person!

Rabbi Shurin in his book Sefer Keshet Giburin 1:40 tells over that he remembers visiting Rav Bengis in Jerusalem in 1939 - when he was then the head of the Edia HaChareidit. Even at the age of 80, he attached no special importance to himself or his role. He lived in a two and a half room apartment - very modest with simple and old furniture. His house was open for visitors all the time. He had no servants, Gabbaim or Shamashim to assist him - attending to everything on his own. There were never special times to see him, and he would receive everyone whenever they came through!

It was said that the Rav completed the entire Talmud 101 times in his life. He would be making a Siyum (celebratory meal) for the completion of the Talmud every so often. But on one occasion, he celebrated a Siyum just a couple of months after the previous Siyum. This made no sense. Some 60 days to complete 2711 double sided pages?! When asked how he managed it - he replied that this Siyum was a most special one! He explained that he had been asked on many occasions to fulfill some sort of rabbinical role for others - whether being the Mesader Kiddushin for a marriage, or invited to other celebratory meals etc. He realised soon enough that much time was wasted as he would stand around waiting for things to get going! He decided quickly to begin a new cycle of learning Talmud just for those particular occasions. "Now," he said, "this celebratory Siyum is due to completing the entire Shas just in those 5 minute waiting periods every time!"

His talk was always filled with Torah. Once, when Rav Shurin was young, he wanted to test the Rav - as is the custom of certain Bachurim who wish to find out exactly where their teachers are "holding". He asked the Rav if he agreed to be tested to which he acquiesced. He explained how he should be tested. "Take any Gemara you wish," he said, "flip through the bottom of the pages." he said, "take a look at the very bottom of the page and read out just three or four words from the smallest print. Take the Gemara, the Rashi, the Tosefot or anything and read just three or four words, and I will tell you which Gemara you are reading from and the page you are on." Rav Shurin did as the Rav asked and every time he received the correct answer - exactly! Masechet - such and such. Page such and such. In this could be seen his pure simplicity and his desire to show and teach his students the love of Torah and how it should be studied.

Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfandri

Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfandri 1820 - 22 Iyar 1930 – known as the Saba Kadisha (the Holy Grandfather – because of his length of years – almost 110!) was born in Instanbul, scion to a line of outstanding Rabbis. In his youth he corresponded with Rabbi Akiva Eiger and his son-in-law, Rabbi Moshe Sofer – The Chatam Sofer. He was known for his sharpness. His way in Halacha was to intertwine the words of the Rishonim with the final decision leaning on the opinions of the masters of Kabbalah from the schools of the Arizal and the Rashash.

A few years after he married he began to take care of a number of young orphans in his own home! He was a Rosh Yeshiva in Kushta, but refused to accept a salary any higher than what the Avreichim who were learning there were getting. He became the Chacham Bashi of Damascus – a post he maintained for 20 years until after the First World War.

In 1908 the Sages of Tzefat asked him to become the Rabbi of the city and to bring peace into the community which was then in need of someone to assist them. He arrived in Tzefat in1917 (aged 97!) and from that moment onwards decided he would never leave the boundaries of the Land of Israel. Later he went to live in Jerusalem, living in the street which today is known by his name i.e. Rechov Alfandri. During these last years, his home was open only for a select group of Torah students.

Even though he merited very old age, his body remained strong until his last years when he was very ill. He was able to stand by himself and his eye sight remained perfect until his very last days – even though he had used them to read handwritten texts and the smallest of print of masses of Torah works.

On the evening of 22 Iyar 1930 after reciting the Tikun Chatzos prayers (special prayers recited by righteous individuals at midnight every night,) he wrote his last response (Teshuva) – one of the longest he ever wrote. In the morning after dawn, he put on his Tefillin, read the Shema and immediately upon finishing it even before starting the main Amidah prayer he died in his chair adorned with his Tallis and Tefillin – at the age of almost 110.

His Halachic rulings on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch were printed after he died in the work known as Shailot and Teshuvot of Maharsha (Moreinu Harav Shlomo Eliezer) Alfandri known also as "HaSaba Kadisha". 

One famous story told about him concerns an evening when he went out to make the blessing on the new moon. At the end of the blessing, he looked up and began clapping his hands in consternation. He shouted out, "I see that a large scale war will soon break out!" This happened in April 1914 shortly before World War One broke out!

Rabbi Ezra Attia - Rosh Yeshiva Porat Yosef - Yahrtzeit 19 Iyar

Rabbi Ezra Attia (1887 - 19 Iyar 1970) was one of the greatest Torah giants, and teachers of contemporary times. He was not just a Posek, but extremely well versed in all the hidden mystical Torah (Kabbalah.) He was the Rosh Yeshiva of the famous Porat Yosef Yeshiva teaching hundreds of the Sefardi Talmidei Chachamim of today – and certainly tens of the greatest of Sefardi leaders in world Jewry today. He was well known for being the teacher of Chacham Ovadia Yosef (died 2013), previous Chief Sefardi Rabbi of Israel and no doubt the greatest of the Sefardi Poskim of recent times! He also taught Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the elder Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri (died at over 100-110 years of age in 2006), Rabbi Yehuda Tzadka, Rabbi Ben-Tzion Abba Shaul, and many other well known Tzaddikim, Torah giants, Poskim and Mekubalim.

His parents were having a difficult time in having children, and so they went to the grave of Ezra HaSofer to daven for Divine help. His mother had mentioned that should they be blessed with a son, she would call him Ezra after Ezra HaSofer and would devote his entire life to Torah. The blessing came about, and indeed Rabbi Ezra Attia achieved the highest of Torah levels.

His family was extremely poor, and he would eat only one pita a day – if he was lucky. He told his pupils that when things were good, he would share a pita with his mother. On rare occasions he would even divide an egg in half! His father-in-law was the great Rabbi Avraham Sallam the Kabbalist.

He studied Torah under Rabbi Chaim Shaul Dweck – the well known Kabbalist responsible for the Sadeh commentary on the Eitz Chaim of the Arizal. His other teacher was Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfrandi (who Yahrzeit falls out in just a few days!) another of the greatest kabblists of recent times – who died at the age of almost 111 in 1930!

Perhaps one of his most famous stories concerns his pupil Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. One day (Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was still a Bachur in his teens) when it became apparent that Rabbi Yosef was not attending Shiurim, Rabbi Attiya looked into things and found out that he had taken a job helping his father in his grocery store. He was forced to work due to the extreme poverty in which they lived. When Rabbi Attiya tried to convince his father of the importance of Torah study, the father did not listen, saying that the money needed was more important. The next day, Rabbi Attiya himself appeared at the grocery store all dressed up in a work apron. When asked about it, he told Rabbi Yosef's father that he had told Rabbi Yosef to continue his learning as he had already found someone else to take his job at the store for no pay! The worker – was none other than Rabbi Attiya himself! When the father saw just how much Torah study meant to the both of them, he left Rabbi Yosef to continue study. Today, we can see just how much that decision has affected the entire Jewish world!

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein - The Aruch HaShulchan

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829 - 23 Adar Beit 1908) - commonly known as the Aruch HaShulchan - after the magnum opus he wrote with that very name was a Rabbi and Posek of the highest calibre. His multi-volumed work - taking over twenty years to write - covers all four sections of the accepted code of Jewish law - the Shulchan Aruch - written in the exact same format. It is based mostly upon the Jerusalem Talmud and the Rambam.

Whereas the way of the Shulchan Aruch is to give the Psak Halacha directly, it is the way of the Aruch HaShulchan to work in the opposite manner by first providing all the necessary sources - Rishonim and Acharonim (which he argues upon frequently,) and then leading into the Halacha itself. The author is lenient wherever he can be. He was not "just" an author of a major Halachic work considered authoritative today, but he was also the Rav of an entire city - Novozybkov (now Bryansk region). It was due to his actual rabbinical experience that he focused on bringing lenient opinions whenever necessary - having actually seen how important this was in practice. His introduction to his work brings in his feelings and why he chose to Paskin as he did. Even the intro is a master work! It is fascinating to note that though he is not considered a Chassid, the town he was Rav for was in fact made of a majority of Chassidim - and of them - Chabad stood out most!

9 years later he became the Rav of Navardok (for which he is best known) and remained there for 34 years. He was close to Rav Shmuel Salant of Jerusalem and was a firm supporter of the Rebbi Meir Baal HaNeis charity fund - a fund supporting the Jews of Eretz Yisrael (charity being given in the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNeis.) In fact any charity given to support Jews living in Israel today is really a part of this much larger fund - though this was the essential fund that began the focus and importance of supporting those living in Israel.

There was always a challenge within the Torah world as to which of the Halachic works would be accepted - the Mishnah Berurah or the Aruch HaShulchan (both published at very similar times - though the Aruch HaShulchan was printed later leading many to accept it as more authoritative!) Though the Mishnah Berurah gained greater acceptance for a standard in learning - this in no way detracted from the greatness of the Aruch HaShulchan which is just as necessary when it comes to deciding Halacha in a proper Torah context. The Aruch HaShulchan is simply a master piece in Halacha!

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein once said that the decisions of the Aruch HaShulchan - who was a full-time practising Rav - take precedence over many Poskim who were not practising Rabbanim. A Rav takes into account more than just the black and white facts of a case before rendering a Halachic decision.

There are two beautiful editions available for purchase, one being the Oz VeHadar which also includes footnotes of the Mishna Berurah's rulings where differences are found. This in fact highlights the importance of learning all these Halachic works together - and not assuming one can learn each one independent of the other. (This is a great general principle in learning Torah and Halacha - which is really all one and perfect!)

Rabbi Epstein had an exceptionally humble and wise son - Rabbi Baruch - who due to not being able to secure a job in Rabbinics in the United States at that time(!) - became a successful bookkeeper. Let that not attest to any lack of knowledge in Torah on his part - when we know he compiled two hugely successful works in the Torah world today - the Torah Temimah - an entire commentary on the Chumash showing the references of the Gemara to the various sections in the Chumash - as well as Mekor Baruch - a major work of immense proportions sharing about the history of his family. One section is translated and is known as "My Uncle the Netziv". It is a fascinating story of the relationship between Rabbi Baruch and his uncle Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda of Volohzin. In fact his uncle was none other than his brother-in-law as well, having married his sister after his first wife died (making him the son-in-law of the Aruch HaShulchan.)

You can keep up with daily learning of Aruch HaShulchan by accessing the Aruch HaShulchan Luach here.

Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv - The Last Kabbalist

Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv (1841-27 Adar 1926) - "The Last Kabbalist" - as the Chazon Ish called him. He was not just fluent in every aspect of the kabbalistic tradition but was able to teach some of the most complicated concepts in the most simple of terms.

His most famous work is known as the "Leshem Shvo Ve'Achlama" referring to the three stones in the third row, found in the breastplate (Chosen Mishpat) that the Kohen Gadol wore. Amazingly this line from Parshat Pekudei (Exodus 39:12) - which we read this week - usually falls in the week of the Yahrtzeit or just after! 

He is the grandfather of the late Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv who was Niftar in 2012 at the age of 102! 

I have heard the following story and read it in a book - though all things considered I have questioned its authenticity. If anybody knows of the truth or falsehood of this story (and why perhaps it even came about or how) please let me know:

A story that goes back some 105 odd years is told about a lady who lived in the centre of Jerusalem. One day she was cleaning her and her husband's garments. In those days, there were no fancy washing machines nor driers. After hand-washing the items one by one taking much time, she hung them on the main outside line in the courtyard shared by many other neighbours.

A neighbour of hers who was upset by / about something cut the washing line and the freshly laundered garments fell into the dirty mud below. The lady - whose name was Chaya Moussia - picked them up one by one - only to have to clean them all again! 

When her husband returned, she said nothing of the despicable story that had occurred. 

The same day, the lady who had recklessly cut the washing line returned home to find her son with an immensely bad fever. She was in a state, and not knowing what to do, she made her way immediately to the Rabbi of Jerusalem - Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld! He enquired from her, if perhaps she had done something bad that day that may have warranted the possibility of such a punishment being imposed upon her from Above. She told the Rav that indeed she had caused much aggravation to a neighbour by soiling her washed clothing... 

He told the woman that without any delay - she was to go to the lady and ask forgiveness, and that he would go together with her. They knocked on the door and were greeted by the warm smile of Chaya Moussia. Her husband - Rabbi Avraham - came to the door as he heard some commotion going on. He asked about the visit and was told about the story that had occurred that day. 

"Do you mean to say," Rabbi Sonnenfeld asked the the husband, "that you knew nothing of the event?" The husband replied that indeed his wife had not so much as whispered a word! The wife on her side had preferred not to speak words of Lashon Hara and had kept quiet! 

So impressed was Rabbi Sonnenfeld with her behaviour and her spiritual beauty, he asked her if there was anything she needed in her life. She told him that since she was already "old in days" and not blessed with children, that she wanted only one thing... a child! 

With that, Rabbi Sonnenfeld gave his blessing and the couple were blessed shortly thereafter with a son... That son, and grandson of the Leshem - Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv who had only one daughter - was none other than Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv, the great Posek of our generation!!! (Indeed his first name was named for the Rabbi who gave the blessing!) 

Amazingly, Rabbi Shlomo had only one daughter (who it seemed would never "bear fruit",) but it is known that at the time that his grandson died, he (the grandson - Rabbi Yosef Shalom) was blessed with more than 1000 descendants!!! 

Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv was truly one of the last of the real kabbalists around. His daughter is buried in the Sanhedria cemetery - almost right next to the Tzaddik Rabbi Aryeh Levin - whose daughter married her son! 

We go there often to pray...

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes - the Bayit Chadash (Bach)

Rabbi Yoel Sirkes (1561-20 Adar 1640) was known as the Bayit Chadash or better - the BaCh after the major commentary he wrote on the Arba'a Turim (the Tur - written by Rabbi Yaakov ben Rabbeinu Asher - the Rosh.) His commentary can be found on the outside of every page of the Tur.

The Tur is one of the most basic Halachic texts dealing with all aspects of Halacha as relevant today. The Tur takes into account the most essential Halachic opinions up until his day and reflects his final opinion in his own code. As the years moved on, two very important Halachic commentaries were added to the Tur - that of Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1565) known in his commentary as the Beis Yosef (House of Joesph) and also known as the author of the Shulchan Aruch and later the Bach (Bayit Chadash - the New House) - Rabbi Yoel Sirkes. The Beis Yosef details the opinions of hundreds of Rishonim (early codifiers of Halacha) as he examines every single Halacha as brought in the Tur. Later he compiled his Magnum Opus Shulchan Aruch giving a final verdict as to the opinion to follow after his immense analysis of the different opinions in the Beis Yosef.

Rabbi Srikes was not happy with the final opinion ruling system as he felt it would detract from people learning the codes as they appear in their original form. He therefore wrote his own commentary - the New House (as opposed to the House of Josef - the Beis Yosef) and then hoped all would come to learn the codes as they appear through the original opinions and analysis.

The Bach was an adherent to Kabbalah and he opposed the type of study known as Pilpul. He was also the father-in-law of the Taz (Rabbi Dovid HaLevy Segal), who wrote a major commentary on the Shulchan Aruch and who often cites his father-in-law (whether in agreement or even in sharp disagreement!)

He is considered one of the most basic and powerful leading Halachic authorities in all matters of Torah law today.

The Amora Rav

Rav was one of the first generation rabbis of the Amoraim - the Sages responsible for the Gemara. He, together with Shmuel (as well as Rabbi Yochanan in the next generation who was also a student of his) was of the greatest of the Rabbis of this period. He died in the year 246. His name was actually Abba (Arika) - but was given the title "Rav" in Bavel, where he lived - much like Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, the editor of the Mishnah was given the title "Rebbi" - as a means of respect. Some say that wherever the Gemara says "והאמר מר" - "But didn't the master say" that this is none other than Rav himself.

He ascended to Eretz Yisrael to learn from Rabbi Chiya who was also his uncle and his main teacher! Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi was also his main teacher! It was he who called Rebbi "Rabbeinu HaKadosh", "Our holy Rabbi". When he returned to Bavel, he would send his questions to Rebbi who lived in Eretz Yisrael. He returned later to Eretz Yisrael and supposedly stayed there until the death of Rebbi. He returned to Bavel in the year 218 and neither Shmuel nor the other Chachamim had heard of him! This would change soon as Shmuel would become a good friend of his! Never forget that while the opinions of these great Sages may differ, they were most often the best of friends! One of the greatest levels one can achieve in learning Talmud is to be able to understand the value of each opinion and the greatness which it presents in teaching us the Halacha as we need to follow it, each person, in every generation!

Rav was even greater than Shmuel who humbled himself to Rav. He formed a Yeshiva in Sura while Shmuel formed his Yeshiva in Nehardeah. His Yeshiva remained for some 800 years until the period of the Geonim. He had thousands of students. Just as there are the famous discussions between Ravina and Rav Ashi, so too is the Gemara filled with the discussions (arguments!) between Rav and Shmuel. His students called him "Rabbeinu HaGadol" - our Great Rabbi. In matters of ritual law, the Halacha follows Rav. In matters of money law, the Halacha follows Shmuel.

When coming to Bavel, Rav was extremely poor having practically nothing to eat! He did however become rich! He taught his son Chiya. 

He died at an advanced age leaving behind thousands of mourners in Bavel.

Rabbi Yochanan - the Author of the Jerusalem Talmud

The Sages of the Gemara are known as Amoraim because they would "say" the teachings that they had learnt over, to the next generation.

On today's Daf of Talmud for the day - Shabbat Daf 67, the great Amora - Rabbi Yochanan is mentioned. His father died before he was born and his mother shortly thereafter. He was raised by his grandfather. He was just 15 years old when the editor of the Talmud Bavli - Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died. He was a large man (with thick eyebrows!) and handsome! His greatness as a Torah scholar was second only to Rav and Shmuel. He moved to Tiveria (Tiberius) where he composed the Talmud Yerushalmi (the Jerusalem Talmud).

He is well known for his relationship with his brother-in-law Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish (Reish Lakish) - the head of a gang of robbers! Although they met each other by a river as Reish Lakish jumped over it, and although seemingly so unlike each other, they became so close to each other that Rabbi Yochanan was not able to cope with life after his brother-in-law (and Chavrusa - learning partner) died and Rabbi Yochanan too died shortly thereafter.

Being handsome and a learned scholar, he would sit outside the women's Mikvah as the women returned from immersing. As it is vital that women leaving the Mikvah see only pure and good sites upon exiting, he would sit nearby allowing them to glance at him as they left in order to have the image of a great Torah scholar imprinted in them. In this way, he gave them the opportunity to consider the importance of bearing children who would become learned in Torah and fearful of Heaven.

He taught that Halacha follows the Stam Mishnah (which is in fact the opinion of Rabbi Meir.) He never left the Land of Israel his entire life!

Yahrtzeit - 24 Elul - Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan - The Chafetz Chaim

Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan - The Chafetz Chaim

Born: Zhetel, Lithuania, 1839

Died: Radin, Lithuania, 1933

Halachist, Torah leader of his generation. Affectionately known as the Chafetz Chaim, the title of one of his books.

As a 9-year-old boy, he entered the great Yeshivah in Vilna, where he soon gained a reputation as a genius. He grew not only in wisdom but also in piety. As he matured into manhood, his unselfish devotion to others and uncompromising honesty set an example for his generation and all generations that were to follow. After marrying at 17 years of age, he continued his Torah studies, in spite of extreme poverty, spending every waking moment engrossed in the holy books. The Chafetz Chaim who refused to accept a post as rabbi, opened a general store. His wife, insisting that he continue his Torah studies, managed the store. The Chafetz Chaim supervised the absolute accuracy of the weights and measures, the quality of the merchandise, and the fairness of the prices, to make certain that no one was deceived or overcharged in any way.

In 1869 he founded the Yeshivah of Radin, which attracted students from all over Europe. His book Chafetz Chaim, made a profound impact on Torah-observant Jewry. It is a compilation of the laws concerning lashon hara-spreading gossip and slander, a grave offence that is often ignored. The title Chafetz Chaim is based on the verse, "Who is the man who desires life, who loves many days that he may see good? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit" (Psalm 34:13) (chafetz chaim tanslates as "desires life"). Thanks to the Chafetz Chaim's writings, a growing awareness has emerged of the harmful effects and the seriousness of lashon hara.

A major achievement was his work Mishnah Berurah, a comprehensive commentary on the Orach Chaim section of the Shulchan Aruch, which deals with the general laws of daily conduct, such as prayers, tefillin, blessings, Shabbat, and Festivals. Mishnah Berurah explains these laws and their application in present-day situations. It consists of 6 volumes and took 25 years to complete. Since its publication, Mishnah Berurah has enjoyed extraordinary popularity. It is a part of virtually every Jewish home library, its pages consulted daily by scholars, students, and laymen alike.

The emigration to America made him fearful for the well-being of Judaism in places where Jewish settlements were not well organized. He recognized the trials of the new immigrants and to fill their needs he wrote Nidchei Yisrael, (Dispersed of Israel), replete with detailed laws specifically related to the new life of the émigrés and heartfelt words of inspiration and encouragement to strengthen them in overcoming obstacles and preserving their Judaism. And his caring eye observed the young conscripts forced to live far from any semblance of Jewish life and desperately in need of special guidance. For them he composed Machne Yisrael, (The Camp of Israel).

His book Machaneh Yisrael offers advice to Jewish soldiers on how to observe Jewish traditions in the army, as well as special prayers to be said before going into battle.

The Chofetz Chaim was a true leader of his people, caring for their needs, bearing the burden of each one of them.

May the merit of the tzaddik The Chafetz Chaim protect us all, Amen.