Search
Search by name, nickname, era, book, burial city, teacher, student or quote
105 results
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai
Ribaz • Yochanan ben Zakkai
40 BCE – 80
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, known by the acronym Ribaz, was one of the greatest of the Tannaim in the generati…
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson
Reb Levik • Father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
1878 – 1944
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, known affectionately as "Reb Levik", was born on 18 Nisan 5638 (1878) in the t…
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
The Lubavitcher Rebbe • The Rebbe
1902 – 1994
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson was born on 11 Nisan 5662 (18 April 1902) in Nikolayev, in the south of the R…
Jacob our Father
Jacob • Israel • Jacob-Israel
1653 BCE – 1506 BCE
Jacob our Father, also called Israel, is the third of the three patriarchs, the son of Isaac and Rebecca, the …
Isaac our Father
Isaac • Isaac son of Abraham • the second of the patriarchs
1713 BCE – 1533 BCE
Isaac our Father, the second of the three patriarchs, is the son of Abraham and Sarah and the half-brother of …
Abraham our Father
Abram • Father of a Multitude of Nations • Abraham the Hebrew • Father of the Faithful
1813 BCE – 1638 BCE
Abraham our Father, the first of the three patriarchs and called by the sages "the father of the faithful", is…
Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv
Baal HaLeshem • Author of Leshem Shevo Ve'Achlamah • Shlomo Alyashuv • the Kabbalist of Shavli
1841 – 1926
Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv, known after his books as the Leshem Shevo Ve'Achlamah and called for that reason the Ba…
Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman
HaGrail • HaGrail Shteinman • Rabbi Aharon Leib • Maran Rosh HaYeshivah
1914 – 2017
Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman, known as the Grail, was one of the leading sages of his generation, rosh y…
Asher son of Jacob
Asher • Asher son of Zilpah
Asher is the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, the maidservant of Leah, and he is the father of the tribe o…
Gad son of Jacob
Gad • Gad son of Zilpah
Gad is the son of Jacob and Zilpah, the maidservant of Leah, and he is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Lea…
Rabbi Yehuda Shapira
Reb Yudel Shapira
1923 – 2009
Rabbi Yehuda Shapira (known as Reb Yudel) was one of the foremost halachic decisors of the Lithuanian Haredi p…
Rabbi Leib Ba'al HaYisurim
Rabbi Leib of Terekesh-Mahilov • Rabbi Leib'li of Hebron
? – 1833
Rabbi Leib of Terekesh-Mahilov, known as Rabbi Leib Ba'al HaYisurim (the Master of Sufferings), was one of the…
Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian
ר' אלי' לופיאן • ר' אלי' קעלמער
1876 – 1970
Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian was one of the most prominent rabbis of the Mussar movement in the twentieth century. He …
Chacham Ezra Attia
עזרא עטיה • עזרא עטיא
1887 – 1970
Chacham Ezra Attia was the Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem and one of the formative figures o…
Rabbi Meir of Premishlan
R. Meirl • The Premishlaner Rebbe • Meir of Premishlan III
1780 – 1850
Rabbi Meir of Premishlan was one of the greatest Hasidic leaders in Galicia in the 19th century, and a grandso…
Rabbi Jacob ben Asher (Baal HaTurim)
Baal HaTurim • The Tur • HaRivah • R. Jacob Baal HaTurim
1269 – 1343
Rabbi Jacob ben Asher, commonly known as Baal HaTurim after his monumental halakhic work, was one of the great…
Rabbi Jacob ben Meir (Rabbenu Tam)
Rabbenu Tam • R. Tam • Jacob ben Meir
1100 – 1171
Rabbi Jacob ben Meir, known as Rabbenu Tam (c. 1100 - 4 Tammuz 4931 / June 9, 1171), was the foremost of the B…
Rav Yehudai ben Nachman Gaon
Yehudai Gaon • Yehudai ben Nachman
700 – 762
Rav Yehudai ben Nachman Gaon was one of the foremost Geonim of the academy of Sura in Babylonia, serving as it…
the Hatam Sofer
Rabbi Moses Sofer • Maharam Sofer
1762 – 1839
The Hatam Sofer, Rabbi Moses Sofer (Schreiber), was born in Frankfurt in 1762. Raised among a family of Torah …
Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch
The Maggid of Mezritch • The Great Maggid
1704 – 1772
Rabbi Dov Ber, known as the Maggid of Mezritch, was one of the foremost disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and the…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
Leah Imenu
Leah
Leah is a central biblical figure appearing in the Book of Genesis, one of the four matriarchs of the people o…
Sarah Imenu
Sarai • Sarah
Sarah, originally Sarai, called in Jewish tradition Sarah Imenu, Sarah our mother, is a central biblical figur…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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 …
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 …
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…