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Rabbi Nathan of Breslov

Rabbi Nathan Sternhartz • Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov • Moharnat

1780 – 1844

Rabbi Nathan Sternhartz, known as Rabbi Nathan of Breslov and by the acronym Moharnat, was the foremost discip…

Breslov, Ukraine

Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra (the Raba'a)

the Raba'a • Abenezra • Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra • Abu Ishaq Abraham ben Meir

1089 – 1164

Rabbi Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra — known by his acronym the Raba'a — was one of the greatest commentators, poet…

Kabul (Galilee), Israel

Rabbi Judah Halevi (the RiHal)

the RiHal • Judah ben Samuel ha-Levi • Abu al-Hasan al-Lawi

1075 – 1141

Rabbi Judah ben Samuel ha-Levi — known by his acronym the RiHal — was one of the greatest poets and thinkers o…

Jerusalem, Israel

The Rif (Rabbi Isaac Alfasi)

Rav Alfasi • the Rif • Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi • ha-Kala'i

1013 – 1103

The Rif — Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi — was one of the greatest halakhic decisors of the Jewish people and a …

Lucena, Spain

Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach

Rav Shach • Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh • The Gaon of Ponovezh

1899 – 2001

Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach was one of the foremost Torah scholars and halachic authorities of the twentie…

Bnei Brak, Israel

Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus

Rabbi Eliezer • Rabbi Eliezer the Great

45 – 120

Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus was one of the greatest Tannaim of the second generation, and a leading disciple of…

Lod, Israel

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa

Chanina beni • Man of Deeds • The Pious

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa was a Tanna of the first generation, one of the greatest pious men and men of deeds of …

Arraba, Israel

Rashi

Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki • Rabbenu Shlomo • Parsandata • Salomon de Troyes

1040 – 1105

Rashi — Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchak — is one of the greatest commentators on the Written and Oral Torah in all o…

Troyes, France

Rachel Imenu

Rachel

1589 BCE – 1553 BCE

Rachel is a central biblical figure appearing in the Book of Genesis, the most beloved wife of Jacob and the m…

Bethlehem, Israel

Leah Imenu

Leah

Leah is a central biblical figure appearing in the Book of Genesis, one of the four matriarchs of the people o…

Hebron, Israel

Sarah Imenu

Sarai • Sarah

Sarah, originally Sarai, called in Jewish tradition Sarah Imenu, Sarah our mother, is a central biblical figur…

Hebron, Israel

Rebecca Imenu

Rebecca • Rebecca Imenu

Rebecca is a central biblical figure appearing in the Book of Genesis, the second of the four matriarchs of th…

Hebron, Israel

Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira

Baba Sali • Yisrael Beracha

1889 – 1984

Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, known by his nickname Baba Sali and the acronym Yisrael Beracha, was one of the gre…

Netivot, Israel

Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Halevi Eidels

Maharsha • Eidels

1555 – 1631

Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Halevi Eidels, known by his acronym Maharsha, was one of the greatest commentators on the…

Ostroh, Ukraine

Aaron the Priest

Aaron • Aaron son of Amram • the first High Priest

1396 BCE – 1273 BCE

Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first High Priest. He loved peace and pursued peace, loved his fellow cre…

Mount Hor, Jordan

Ezra the Scribe

Ezra • Ezra the Priest

480 BCE – 400 BCE

Ezra the Scribe was a priest and a skilled scribe in the Torah of Moses. He ascended from Babylon to Jerusalem…

Jerusalem, Israel

Shammai

Shammai the Elder

60 BCE – 20

Shammai the Elder, Av Beit Din and counterpart of Hillel, was known for his strictness and careful deliberatio…

Meron, Israel

Rav Saadia Gaon

Rasag • Saadia ben Yosef al-Fayyumi • Saadia al-Fayyumi

882 – 942

Rav Saadia Gaon — Rav Saadia ben Yosef al-Fayyumi (882–942), known in short as Rasag — was a polymath: a decis…

Safed (per later tradition), Israel

Rabbi Moshe Cordovero

Ramak • Rabbi Moshe Cordoiero

1522 – 1570

Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, known by his acronym Ramak, was one of the leading kabbalists of Safed in the sixteenth…

Safed, Israel

The Chafetz Chaim

Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan • The Chafetz Chaim • The Chafetz Chaim of Radin • Yisrael Meir HaKohen

1839 – 1933

Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan of Radin, known as the "Chafetz Chaim" after his seminal work, was among the …

Radin, Belarus

Samson the Mighty

Samson son of Manoah • Samson the Judge

1100 BCE – 1080 BCE

Samson is the twelfth and final judge mentioned in the Book of Judges, and one of the most striking and comple…

Between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the territory of the tribe of Dan, Land of Israel

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa

Chanina my son • Man of Deed • The Pious

40 – 80

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa was a Tanna of the first generation, at the close of the Second Temple period, and a di…

Araba, Israel

Rabbi Chananya ben Akashya

Rabbi Chanina ben Akashya

50 – 130

Rabbi Chananya ben Akashya was a Tanna of the Mishnaic period, most likely of the fourth generation of Tannaim…

Kfar Chananya, Israel

Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin

Chaim Itzkovich (ben Yitzchak) • Rabbi Chaim of Volozin

1749 – 1821

Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin (1749–1821) — the preeminent disciple of the Gra, the founder of Yeshivat Etz Chaim (t…

Volozhin, Belarus (historic Lithuania)

The Chazon Ish

Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz

1878 – 1953

Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, known as 'the Chazon Ish' after his celebrated series of works, was one of t…

Bnei Brak, Israel

Yosef HaTzadik (Joseph the Righteous)

Yosef • Joseph • Zaphenath-paneah

1561 BCE – 1451 BCE

Yosef HaTzadik — the son of Jacob our forefather and Rachel our matriarch — is one of the earliest of the fore…

Shechem (Nablus), Israel

Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi

Rabbeinu HaKadosh • Rabbi • Our Holy Rabbi

135 – 220

Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi — 'Rabbeinu HaKadosh' (c. 135–220 CE) — was a Tanna of the fifth and last generation, Nasi…

Beit She'arim, Israel

The Shlah Hakadosh

Rabbi Yeshayah Halevi Horowitz • Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz • The Shlah

1558 – 1630

The Shlah Hakadosh — Rabbi Yeshayah Halevi Horowitz (1558–1630) — was one of the greatest rabbis of Ashkenaz i…

Tiberias, Israel

The Gra (The Vilna Gaon)

The Gaon of Vilna • Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman • The Gaon • HaGra

1720 – 1797

The Gra — the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman (1720–1797) — was one of the greatest geniuses of…

Vilnius, Lithuania

The Maharal of Prague

Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel • The Maharal • Rabbi Loew

1520 – 1609

The Maharal of Prague — Rabbi Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel (c. 1520–1609) — was one of the most prominent Jewish sa…

Prague, Czechia

The Rashba

Rabbi Shlomo ben Avraham ibn Aderet • Rabbi Solomon ben Aderet

1235 – 1310

The Rashba — Rabbi Shlomo ben Avraham ibn Aderet (c. 1235–1310) — was one of the greatest Torah scholars of Sp…

Ramban

Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman • Nachmanides • Bonastruc ça Porta

1194 – 1270

The Ramban — Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (c. 1194–1270) — was one of the greatest sages of Spain and a pillar of t…

Haifa, Israel

Rabbi Akiva

Akiva ben Yosef • Rabbi Akiva

40 – 135

Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef — one of the greatest sages of Israel in all generations, and the father of the Oral Law…

Tiberias, Israel

Daniel

Belteshazzar • Daniel the Prophet

620 BCE – 530 BCE

Daniel was one of the noble Jewish youths taken captive from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in th…

Rabban Gamliel the Elder

Rabban Gamliel • Gamaliel the Elder

50 BCE – 50

Rabban Gamliel the Elder was among the first of the Tannaim and the president (Nasi) of the Sanhedrin in the l…

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

Rashbi • Bar Yochai • Ben Yochai • Rabbi Shimon • Butzina Kadisha

100 – 160

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, known by his acronym Rashbi, was one of the leading sages of the fourth generation of…

Meron, Israel

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad

Ben Ish Chai • Hacham Yosef Chaim • The Ben Ish Chai

1835 – 1909

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, known as "the Ben Ish Chai" after his famous work, was one of the foremost halak…

Baghdad, Iraq

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter

Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin • Or Yisrael • Salanter

1810 – 1883

Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin of Salant was the founder of the Musar movement, one of the most influential spiritual mo…

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein

Reb Moshe • Rav Moshe

1895 – 1986

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was one of the foremost halakhic authorities of recent generations and a leading figure …

Jerusalem, Israel

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Reb Nachman of Bratslav • Nachman of Uman • Moharan • Rabbi Nachman miBreslev

1772 – 1810

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty and a great-grandson of the Baal Shem …

Uman, Ukraine

Jeremiah the Prophet

Jeremiah • Jeremiah son of Hilkiah

650 BCE – 570 BCE

Jeremiah the Prophet was the prophet of destruction. He rebuked Judah for its sins, foretold the destruction o…

Isaiah the Prophet

Isaiah • Isaiah son of Amoz

800 BCE – 700 BCE

Isaiah the Prophet, one of the greatest of the prophets, prophesied in Jerusalem during the days of the kings …

Rabbi Joseph Karo - Maran

Maran • the Shulchan Aruch • the Beit Yosef • the Mechaber

1488 – 1575

Rabbi Joseph Karo, universally known as 'Maran,' is among the greatest halakhic authorities to have arisen in …

Safed, Israel

Rabbi Moses ben Maimon — Maimonides

Maimonides • Rabbi Moshe • the Great Eagle • ha-Maimoni • the Master Teacher • Rabbenu Moshe • Maimonides

1138 – 1204

Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides, stands among the greatest halachic authorities, thinkers, and phy…

Tiberias, Israel

Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov

the Besht • Rivash • the Baal Shem Tov

1698 – 1760

Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov (the Besht), was the founder of the Hasidic movement and …

Medzhybizh (Mezhibozh), Ukraine

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev

The Advocate of Israel • the prodigy of Miroslav • Levi Yitzhak Berdichever

1740 – 1809

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev was one of the greatest Hasidic rebbes and the author of Kedushat Levi. He be…

Berditchev, Ukraine

Chaim Vital Calabrese

Maharhu • Rahu • Rabbi Chaim Vital

1542 – 1620

Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese (Maharhu) was among the greatest kabbalists of Safed and the foremost disciple of …

Rabbi Amos Kamos Guetta

the Rebbe • Rabbi Amos Guetta

1951 – 2026

Rabbi Amos Kamos Chaim Guetta was an Israeli rabbi, kabbalist, rosh yeshiva, head of a kollel for married scho…

Netanya, Israel

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky

the Steipler

1899 – 1985

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, known as the Steipler, was among the foremost Torah and halakhic authorities o…

Bnei Brak, Israel

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky

The Rabbi of Bnei Brak • The Leading Sage of the Generation

1928 – 2022

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, son of the Steipler Gaon, was regarded as the foremost Torah authority of his generatio…

Bnei Brak, Israel

Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman

HaGaon Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman • Rabbi Aharon Leib

1914 – 2017

Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman, known as the Grail, was one of the leading Torah sages of his generation a…

Bnei Brak, Israel

Rabbi Ishmael

Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha • Rabbi Ishmael the High Priest

50 – 135

Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha, the High Priest, was among the foremost disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai. He f…

Yose ben Yochanan

Yose ben Yochanan of Jerusalem

190 BCE – 140 BCE

Yose ben Yochanan of Jerusalem was the counterpart of Yose ben Yo'ezer. He would say: Be among the disciples o…

Shemaiah

100 BCE – 40 BCE

Shemaiah was a member of the fifth and final of the Zugot, together with his counterpart Avtalyon. He taught: …

Joshua ben Perachiah

150 BCE – 100 BCE

Joshua ben Perachiah was the first of the third pair of the Zugot and served as Nasi of the Sages. According t…

Shimon ben Shetach

120 BCE – 60 BCE

Shimon ben Shetach, Nasi of the Sanhedrin, was the brother of Queen Salome Alexandra. He instituted important …

Yose ben Yoezer

Yose ben Yoezer of Zeredah

200 BCE – 150 BCE

Yose ben Yoezer of Zeredah was the first member of the first pair of sages in the Era of the Zugot. He was kno…

Avtalyon

100 BCE – 40 BCE

Avtalyon, the counterpart of Shemaya, was a righteous convert. He taught: "Sages, be careful with your words."…

Rabbi Aryeh Levin

R. Aryeh • Father of the Prisoners • Rabbi of the Prisoners • Aryeh Leib Levin

1885 – 1969

Rabbi Aryeh Levin was a Jerusalem spiritual mentor and man of boundless kindness, renowned as one of the great…

Jerusalem, Israel

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

Maran • Maran Malka • Maran HaRishon LeTzion • Rabbi Ovadia • HaRishon LeTzion

1920 – 2013

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, universally known as “Maran,” was one of the foremost halakhic authorities of the later ge…

Jerusalem, Israel

the holy Ari

Rabbi Isaac Luria • the Ari • the Ari HaChai • the Arizal • Ari z"l

1534 – 1572

The holy Ari, Rabbi Isaac ben Solomon Luria Ashkenazi, was one of the greatest kabbalists in the history of th…

Safed, Israel

the Noda BiYehudah

Rabbi Yechezkel Landau

1713 – 1793

The Noda BiYehudah (Rabbi Yechezkel Landau), rabbi of Prague, was among the greatest halakhic decisors. His wo…

Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook

HaRa'ayah Kook • Rav Kook

1865 – 1935

Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook (HaRa'ayah) was the first Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel, a profound think…

Jerusalem, Israel

Shmuel

Shmuel Yarhina'ah

180 – 254

Shmuel Yarhina'ah was the head of the yeshiva in Nehardea and a contemporary of Rav. He was a sage renowned fo…

Maharam of Rothenburg

Rabbi Meir ben Baruch

1215 – 1293

Maharam of Rothenburg (Rabbi Meir ben Baruch) was the foremost sage of Ashkenaz in his generation. He was impr…

Rabbeinu Tam

Rabbi Jacob ben Meir • Jacob Tam

1100 – 1171

Rabbeinu Tam (Rabbi Jacob ben Meir), one of the foremost Tosafists and a grandson of Rashi, was regarded as th…

the Rema

Rabbi Moses Isserles • Rema

1530 – 1572

The Rema (Rabbi Moses Isserles) was the author of the Mapah on the Shulchan Aruch. He added the laws and custo…

Rabbeinu Yonah

Rabbi Yonah ben Abraham of Gerona • Yonah Gerondi

1200 – 1263

Rabbeinu Yonah of Gerona, author of Shaarei Teshuvah, was the uncle and teacher of Nachmanides. At first he op…

Rabbi Meir

Meir • Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes

80 – 160

Rabbi Meir was one of the foremost disciples of Rabbi Akiva, a distinguished sage and scribe. His wife, Beruri…

King David

David • David son of Jesse • King of Israel

907 BCE – 837 BCE

King David, the Lord’s anointed, founder of the Davidic dynasty and author of most of the Book of Psalms. He w…

Jerusalem, Israel

Hai Gaon

Hai ben Sherira

939 – 1038

Hai Gaon, the son of Sherira Gaon, was the last Gaon of Pumbedita. He was among the greatest halakhic authorit…

Rava

Rava bar bar Hana

280 – 352

Rava, head of the academy of Mehoza, was the principal disputant of Abaye. In the great majority of cases, the…

Ravina

Ravina the Last

380 – 475

Ravina the Last was among those who brought the Babylonian Talmud to its completion. He finalized the Babyloni…

Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai

Ribaz

40 BCE – 80

Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai was a member of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. He left besieged Jerusalem in a coffin, …

Beir, Israel

Rav

Rav Safra • Abba bar Ivo

175 – 247

Rav (Abba bar Ivo), the first of the Amoraim, was a disciple of Rabbi Judah HaNasi. He founded the academy of …

Rabbi Samuel HaNagid

Shmuel ha-Levi ben Yosef • Isma'il ibn Naghrillah

993 – 1056

Rabbi Samuel HaNagid was among the greatest sages of Sepharad, a military commander and adviser to the kings o…

King Solomon

Solomon • Jedidiah

848 BCE – 768 BCE

King Solomon, the wisest of all men, built the First Temple in Jerusalem. He composed the books of Proverbs, E…

Jerusalem, Israel

Rav Chisda

217 – 309

Rav Chisda, head of the academy of Sura. He was a disciple of Rav and Shmuel, and was renowned for his wisdom …

Moses our Teacher

Moses • Moses son of Amram

1393 BCE – 1273 BCE

Moses our Teacher was the greatest of the prophets, the leader of the Children of Israel in the Exodus from Eg…

Simeon the Righteous

Simeon son of Yohanan • High Priest

350 BCE – 270 BCE

Simeon the Righteous, one of the last surviving members of the Great Assembly, served as High Priest. It was s…

Abaye

Nachmani

278 – 338

Abaye (Nachmani) was the head of the academy of Pumbedita, a disciple of Rav Chisda, and the contemporary and …

Rav Sherira Gaon

Sherira ben Hananiah

906 – 1006

Rav Sherira Gaon, Gaon of the Pumbedita academy, authored the famous Epistle on the order of the generations a…

Rav Ashi

335 – 427

Rav Ashi, head of the academy of Sura-Mata Mehasya, was among the foremost sages involved in the completion of…

Rav Huna

212 – 297

Rav Huna served as head of the Sura academy after Rav. He was a disciple of Rav and of Shmuel, and was renowne…

Ezekiel the Prophet

Ezekiel • Ezekiel ben Buzi

622 BCE – 570 BCE

Ezekiel the Prophet, one of the greatest of the prophets, prophesied in Babylon during the exile. He beheld th…

the Hatam Sofer

Rabbi Moses Sofer • Maharam Sofer

1762 – 1839

The Hatam Sofer (Rabbi Moses Sofer) was the rabbi of Pressburg and the leading authority of Hungarian Jewry. H…

Rabban Gamliel

Rabban Gamliel of Yavneh • Rabban Gamliel beRabbi

100 – 180

Rabban Gamliel beRabbi, the son of Rabbi Judah the Patriarch, served as Nasi after his father. He led the peop…

Hillel the Elder

Hillel • Hillel of Babylon • Hillel the Babylonian

110 BCE – 10

Hillel the Elder was among the greatest sages in all of Jewish history — the last President (Nasi) of the Sanh…

Meron, Israel