The Great Rabbis
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The Evolution of Jewish Law
Can I have an introduction to the great works of Halachah (Jewish Law) and their authors. For example Mishneh Torah, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, and Mishnah Berurah? Answer: Moshe received the Torah at Sinai, both the Written Law and the Oral…
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Who are the Sages and Chazal?
Who and what are the Jewish sages? Answer: When we speak of our “Sages” we are referring to the great rabbis of previous generations. These rabbis were not like the rabbis of today. Today we have to struggle to understand…
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Rabbi Avraham Danzig
Who was Rabbi Avraham Danzig? Answer: Rabbi Avraham Danzig was born in Danzig, Poland (which today is known as Gdansk). He studied in Prague. It appears that he lived in Vilna for most of his life where he served as…
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Rabbi Elazar Ben Shamua
Can you tell me about Rabbi Elazar Ben Shamua. When he was alive? What is he known for? Basically about his life. Thank you. Answer: Rabbi Elazar Ben Shamua lived around 3920, or 160 C.E., about 90 years after the…
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Rabbi Leib Baal HaYisurim
I spent Shabbos in Tzefas, Israel (Safed). Friday we went to pray at the grave of the Baal HaYisurim. Where can I find more about this great person? I prayed there and my heart went to pieces. Answer: I found…
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Maimonides’ Letter of Martyrdom
I would like to get information on Maimonides’ (The Rambam) Igeret Hashmad (Letter of Martyrdom). Thank you for your question. I’m quoting the following from the preface of a translation of this work in my possession by Rabbi Avraham Yaakov…
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Rabbi Avraham Gombiner, the “Magen Avraham”
I am interested in learning biographical information about the Magen Avraham as well as which works he commented on as my father was from the town in Poland that he lived in. Rav Avraham Gombiner, born in 1634, left his…
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What is a Rabbi?
What is a rabbi? My father told me a rabbi is a person that brings people together, sits in the middle. Why I asked this is, because, I have seen different kinds of rabbis, some who think of the people…
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The Chofetz Chaim
Can I have some Information about the Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Israel Meir Ha-Cohen, 1837-1933? Here is a short summary of his life taken from Rabbi Berel Wein’s historical work called Triumph of Survival: 1848 – Leaves home to study in…