Moshe Mordechai Epstein: Difference between revisions

Moshe Mordechai Epstein
Moshe Mordechai Epstein
	The Rosh yeshiva of Slabodka visiting the United States.
Born	March 7, 1866 (20 Adar, 5626 Anno Mundi); Bakst, Lithuania
Died	November 28, 1933 (aged 67) (10 Kislev 5694 Anno Mundi); Jerusalem, Palestine (now Israel)
Bildung	Volozhin yeshiva
Spouse	Menucha Frank
Parent(s)	Tzvi Chaim and Baila Chana Epstein

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Moshe Mordechai Epstein (7 March 1866–28 November 1933) was rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Knesseth Yisrael in Slabodka, Lithuania and is recognized as having been one of the leading Talmudists of the twentieth century.^[1] He is also one of the founders of the city of Hadera.

Childhood

Epstein was born in Bakst, in the Vilna district of Lithuania, on the 20th of Adar, 5626 (1866), to Rabbi Tzvi Chaim and Baila Chana Epstein. His father, who served as the rabbi of Bakst, had been affectionately referred to during his days in the Volozhin yeshiva as "the Bakst Genius". Moshe Mordechai's genius was detected from a very early age and he was called the illui from Bakst. The child prodigy began studying in the Volozhin yeshiva at the age of 16, under the guidance of the legendary Torah giant Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik. There, he met his brother-in-law-to-be, Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, and, in 1889, married Menucha Frank, the eldest "Frank sister".

Leadership

After his marriage, Epstein moved to his wife's hometown, in Kovno, and was joined there two years later by Rabbi Meltzer, following his marriage to Epstein's sister-in-law, Baila Hinda Frank. In Kovno, the two scholars studied under the renowned mussar master, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer, known in yeshivos as "Reb Itzele Peterburger", one of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter's foremost disciples. It was there that they became intrigued with the study of mussar.

In 1894, both rabbis started teaching in the famed Slabodka yeshiva, which was not far from Kovno. In 1897, Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Slabodka's famed mashgiach ruchani), invited Epstein to become the rosh yeshiva. Epstein accepted the post, while Meltzer moved together with some of his best talmidim to the town of Slutsk to lead the Ridvaz's yeshiva there. The Slabodka yeshiva flourished under the joint leadership of Rabbis Epstein and Finkel, and many of its students were crucial in nurturing the spiritual level of the Jewish people in subsequent generations. For a list of notables, see Slabodka yeshiva.

In 1924, Rabbi Epstein was part of a delegation to the United States headed by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, chief rabbi of the Land of Israel.^[2]

In 1924, Epstein, Finkel, and most of the yeshiva, relocated to Hebron, in what was then British Mandate for Palestine. The yeshiva thrived for five years in Hebron as it had in Lithuania. In late August 1929 mobs, incited by the antisemitic Mufti of Jerusalem, swarmed the yeshiva, killing over 67 Jews and wounding many more, in an event known as the 1929 Hebron massacre. Among the victims was his American-born nephew Aaron David Epstein.^[3] In the aftermath, the British authorities evacuated the rest of the Jewish community. The yeshiva was relocated to the Geula section of Jerusalem, and was renamed Yeshivas Chevron.^[1] In 1975, Yeshivas Chevron moved to its current location in Givat Mordechai.

Legacy

Epstein was known to share a warm relationship with Finkel. Epstein's daughter married Finkel's son, Moshe Finkel. Epstein's other daughter married Yechezkel Sarna (1895–1969),^[1] who succeeded Epstein as rosh yeshiva of Chevron after his death. Epstein had only one son, Chaim Shraga Feivel, whom he named after his father-in-law. Epstein authored the Levush Mordechai (1901), which contains his chiddushim, or novellae, on all tractates of the Talmud.

His brother, Rabbi Ephraim Epstein (1876-1960) also studied at the Slabodka yeshiva, and later moved to the United States were he served as rabbi to Congregation Anshei Kneseth in Chicago for over 50 years. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein's son, Rabbi Harry Epstein, headed Ahavath Achim Congregation in Atlanta Georgia for over 50 years^[4] and founded what is now called the Epstein School.^[5]

Epstein died in Jerusalem in 1933, corresponding to the Hebrew date 10 of Kislev 5694. He is buried on the Mount of Olives.

A street in the Neve Haim neighborhood in Hadera is named after him, and a street in the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem is named after his book "Levush Mordechai"

External links and references

^ ^a ^b ^c Krohn, Paysach J. (2002) [1987]. The Maggid Speaks (1st ed.). Mesorah Publications. p. 20. ISBN 089906230X. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
^ "Rav Kook's Mission to America". www.ravkooktorah.org. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
^ Scarr, Cindy (2020-09-23). "A Bond Sealed in Blood". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
^ Tribune, Chicago. "EPSTEIN, RABBI HARRY H." chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
^ "The Epstein School - About Us". Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-31. In 1973, Rabbi Harry H. Epstein and the visionary leaders of Ahavath Achim Synagogue dreamed of a Conservative Jewish day school that would embrace the core values of Judaism in a nurturing, compassionate and stimulating environment. They envisioned a school with a reputation for academic excellence. Thus, the very first campus, housed at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, was founded.

[Paysach-1] Krohn, Paysach J. (2002) [1987]. The Maggid Speaks (1st ed.). Mesorah Publications. p. 20. ISBN 089906230X. Retrieved December 18, 2012.

[2] "Rav Kook's Mission to America". www.ravkooktorah.org. Retrieved 2021-05-31.

[3] Scarr, Cindy (2020-09-23). "A Bond Sealed in Blood". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved 2021-05-31.

[4] Tribune, Chicago. "EPSTEIN, RABBI HARRY H." chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-05-31.

[5] "The Epstein School - About Us". Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-31. In 1973, Rabbi Harry H. Epstein and the visionary leaders of Ahavath Achim Synagogue dreamed of a Conservative Jewish day school that would embrace the core values of Judaism in a nurturing, compassionate and stimulating environment. They envisioned a school with a reputation for academic excellence. Thus, the very first campus, housed at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, was founded.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Lithuanian-Palestinian rosh yeshiva (1866–1933)}}
 {{Infobox person
-| name   = Moshe Mordechai Epstein
+| name               = Moshe Mordechai Epstein
-| image     = File:Moshe Mordechai Epstein, New York 1924.jpg
+| image              = File:Moshe Mordechai Epstein, New York 1924.jpg
-| image_size  = 200px
+| image_size         = 200px
-| caption  = ''[[Rosh yeshiva]] in [[Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael (Slabodka)|Slabodka]]''
+| caption            = The ''[[Rosh yeshiva]] of [[Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael (Slabodka)|Slabodka]]'' visiting the United States.
-| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1866|3|7}} (20 [[Adar]], 5626 [[Anno Mundi]])
+| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1866|3|7}} (20 [[Adar]], 5626 [[Anno Mundi]])
-| birth_place = [[Bakst]], [[Lithuania]]
+| birth_place        = [[Bakst]], [[Lithuania]]
-| death_date  = {{Death date and age|1933|11|28|1866|3|7}} (10 [[Kislev]] 5694 [[Anno Mundi]])
+| death_date         = {{Death date and age|1933|11|28|1866|3|7}} (10 [[Kislev]] 5694 [[Anno Mundi]])
-| death_place = [[Jerusalem]], [[Israel|Palestine (now Israel)]]
+| death_place        = [[Jerusalem]], [[Israel|Palestine (now Israel)]]
-| education      = [[Volozhin yeshiva]]
+| education          = [[Volozhin yeshiva]]
-| occupation     =
+| occupation         =
-| spouse         = Menucha Frank
+| spouse             = Menucha Frank
-| parents        = Tzvi Chaim and Baila Chana Epstein
+| parents            = Tzvi Chaim and Baila Chana Epstein
-| children       =
+| children           =
 }}
-'''Moshe Mordechai Epstein''' (1866–1933) was [[rosh yeshiva]] of [[Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael (Slabodka)|Yeshiva Knesseth Yisrael]] in [[Vilijampolė|Slabodka]], [[Lithuania]] and is recognized as having been one of the leading [[Talmud]]ists of the twentieth century.<ref name="Paysach">{{cite book|last=Krohn|first=Paysach J.|authorlink=Paysach Krohn|title=The Maggid Speaks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dEoW-Q_Wq2AC&printsec=frontcover&dq=paysach+krohn&hl=en&sa=X&ei=leELUNa5JPC10QXIn8jgCg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=paysach%20krohn&f=false|accessdate=December 18, 2012|edition=1st|year=2002|origyear=1987|publisher=[[Mesorah Publications]]|isbn=089906230X|page=20}}</ref> He is also one of the founders of the city of [[Hadera]].
+'''Moshe Mordechai Epstein''' (7 March 1866–28 November 1933) was [[rosh yeshiva]] of [[Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael (Slabodka)|Yeshiva Knesseth Yisrael]] in [[Vilijampolė|Slabodka]], [[Lithuania]] and is recognized as having been one of the leading [[Talmud]]ists of the twentieth century.<ref name="Paysach">{{cite book|last=Krohn|first=Paysach J.|author-link=Paysach Krohn|title=The Maggid Speaks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dEoW-Q_Wq2AC&q=paysach+krohn|access-date=December 18, 2012|edition=1st|year=2002|orig-year=1987|publisher=[[Mesorah Publications]]|isbn=089906230X|page=20}}</ref> He is also one of the founders of the city of [[Hadera]].
+[[Image: Rabbi M.M. Epstein LCCN2014719348.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein in 1924]]
 ==Childhood==
 Epstein was born in [[Bakst]], in the [[Vilnius|Vilna]] district of Lithuania, on the 20th of [[Adar]], 5626 (1866), to Rabbi Tzvi Chaim and Baila Chana Epstein. His father, who served as the rabbi of Bakst, had been affectionately referred to during his days in the [[Volozhin yeshiva]] as "the Bakst Genius". Moshe Mordechai's genius was detected from a very early age and he was called the ''illui from Bakst''. The child prodigy began studying in the Volozhin yeshiva at the age of 16, under the guidance of the legendary Torah giant Rabbi [[Chaim Soloveitchik]]. There, he met his brother-in-law-to-be, Rabbi [[Isser Zalman Meltzer]], and, in 1889, married Menucha Frank, the eldest "Frank sister".
+==Leadership==
-==The Frank sisters==
+After his marriage, Epstein moved to his wife's hometown, in [[Kaunas|Kovno]], and was joined there two years later by Rabbi Meltzer, following his marriage to Epstein's sister-in-law, Baila Hinda Frank. In Kovno, the two scholars studied under the renowned mussar master, Rabbi [[Yitzchak Blazer]], known in [[yeshivos]] as "Reb Itzele Peterburger", one of Rabbi [[Yisrael Salanter]]'s foremost disciples. It was there that they became intrigued with the study of mussar.
+In 1894, both rabbis started teaching in the famed Slabodka yeshiva, which was not far from Kovno. In 1897, [[Nosson Tzvi Finkel (Slabodka)|Nosson Tzvi Finkel]], Slabodka's famed [[mashgiach ruchani]]), invited Epstein to become the rosh yeshiva. Epstein accepted the post, while Meltzer moved together with some of his best talmidim to the town of Slutsk to lead the [[Ridvaz]]'s yeshiva there. The Slabodka yeshiva flourished under the joint leadership of Rabbis Epstein and Finkel, and many of its students were crucial in nurturing the spiritual level of the Jewish people in subsequent generations. For a list of notables, see [[Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael (Slabodka)|Slabodka yeshiva]].
-Perhaps one of the most influential and illustrious [[Torah]] families of that era was that of Rabbi [[Shraga Feivel Frank]], a wealthy fur merchant in [[Kovno]], Lithuania, and a devoted follower of Torah and [[musar movement|mussar]]. Rabbi Frank, who died of pneumonia at the age of 43, left four daughters yet unmarried, and in his will, he asked that his wife, Golda, marry off each daughter to a young man who showed the signs of becoming a "''gadol b'yisrael''"—a true leader of the Jewish people, a colossus of Torah in its knowledge, thought, diligence, commitment, and values. [[Rebbetzin]] Frank took this mission very seriously, and she investigated every candidate thoroughly.
+[[Image: Moshe Mordechai Epstein.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein during a trip to the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]]]
-In the end, Rabbi Frank's prayer was realized. His sons-in-law became the pillars of Torah Jewry through the next generation, and its guides after the ashes of the [[Holocaust]]. When the European strongholds of Torah were replanted in America and Israel, it was the sons-in-law and grandsons of Rabbi Shraga Frank who cultivated it. These four leaders were Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer of Slabodka and [[Kletzk]], Rabbi Boruch Horowitz of Slabodka, Rabbi [[Sheftel Kramer]] of [[Slutzk]] and later [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[Connecticut]]; and Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein.
+In 1924, Rabbi Epstein was part of a delegation to the United States headed by Rabbi [[Abraham Isaac Kook]], chief rabbi of the Land of Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rav Kook's Mission to America|url=http://www.ravkooktorah.org/RAV-KOOK-IN-AMERICA.htm|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.ravkooktorah.org}}</ref>
-==Leadership==
-After his marriage, Rabbi Epstein moved to his wife's hometown, in Kovno, and was joined there two years later by Rabbi Meltzer, following his marriage to Rabbi Epstein's sister-in-law, Baila Hinda Frank. In Kovno, the two scholars studied under the renowned mussar master, Rabbi [[Yitzchak Blazer]], known in [[yeshivos]] as "Reb Itzele Peterburger", one of Rabbi [[Yisrael Salanter]]'s foremost disciples. It was there that they became intrigued with the study of mussar.
+In 1924, Epstein, Finkel, and most of the yeshiva, relocated to [[Hebron]], in what was then British [[Mandatory Palestine|Mandate for Palestine]]. The yeshiva thrived for five years in Hebron as it had in Lithuania. In late August 1929 mobs, incited by the antisemitic [[Mohammad Amin al-Husayni|Mufti of Jerusalem]], swarmed the yeshiva, killing over 67 Jews and wounding many more, in an event known as the [[1929 Hebron massacre]]. Among the victims was his American-born nephew Aaron David Epstein.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Scarr|first=Cindy|date=2020-09-23|title=A Bond Sealed in Blood|url=https://mishpacha.com/a-bond-sealed-in-blood/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Mishpacha Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> In the aftermath, the British authorities evacuated the rest of the Jewish community. The yeshiva was relocated to the [[Geula]] section of [[Jerusalem]], and was renamed [[Yeshivas Chevron]].<ref name="Paysach" /> In 1975, Yeshivas Chevron moved to its current location in [[Givat Mordechai]].
-In 1894, both rabbis started teaching in the famed Slabodka yeshiva, which was not far from Kovno. In 1897, the [[Alter of Slabodka]] (Rabbi [[Nosson Tzvi Finkel (Slabodka)|Nosson Tzvi Finkel]]; Slabodka's famed [[mashgiach ruchani]]), invited Rabbi Epstein to become the rosh yeshiva. Rabbi Epstein accepted the post, while Rabbi Meltzer moved together with some of his best talmidim to the town of Slutsk to lead the [[Ridvaz]]'s yeshiva there. The Slabodka yeshiva flourished under the joint leadership of Rabbis Epstein and Finkel, and many of its students were crucial in nurturing the spiritual level of the Jewish people in subsequent generations. For a list of notables, see [[Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael (Slabodka)|Slabodka yeshiva]].
-In 1924, Rabbi Epstein, the Alter, and most of the yeshiva, relocated to [[Hebron]], in what was then British [[Mandatory Palestine|Mandate for Palestine]]. The yeshiva thrived for five years in Hebron as it had in Lithuania. In 1926 he visited the United States to raise fund for the yeshiva.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Slobodka Yeshiva Dean Sails for United States|url = http://www.jta.org/1926/04/30/archive/slobodka-yeshiva-dean-sails-for-united-states|website = Jewish Telegraphic Agency|accessdate = 2016-01-07}}</ref> In late August 1929, Arab mobs, incited by the antisemitic [[Mohammad Amin al-Husayni|Mufti of Jerusalem]], swarmed the yeshiva, killing 68 Jews and wounding many more, in an event now known as the [[1929 Hebron massacre]]. In the aftermath, the British authorities evacuated the rest of the Jewish community. The yeshiva was relocated to the [[Geula]] section of [[Jerusalem]], and was renamed [[Yeshivas Chevron]].<ref name="Paysach"/> In 1975, Yeshivas Chevron moved to its current location in [[Givat Mordechai]].
 ==Legacy==
-Rabbi Epstein was known to share a warm relationship with Rabbi Finkel. The Alter later became Rabbi Epstein's ''[[mechutan]]'', when the latter's daughter married the Alter's son, Moshe Finkel. Rabbi Epstein's other daughter married Rabbi [[Yechezkel Sarna]] (1895–1969),<ref name="Paysach"/> who succeeded Rabbi Epstein as rosh yeshiva of Chevron after his death. Rabbi Epstein had only one son, Rabbi Chaim Shraga Feivel, whom he named after his father-in-law. Rabbi Epstein authored the ''Levush Mordechai'' (1901), which contains his ''chiddushim'', or novellae, on all tractates of the Talmud.
+Epstein was known to share a warm relationship with Finkel. Epstein's daughter married Finkel's son, Moshe Finkel. Epstein's other daughter married [[Yechezkel Sarna]] (1895–1969),<ref name="Paysach"/> who succeeded Epstein as rosh yeshiva of Chevron after his death. Epstein had only one son, Chaim Shraga Feivel, whom he named after his father-in-law. Epstein authored the ''Levush Mordechai'' (1901), which contains his ''[[chiddush]]im'', or novellae, on all tractates of the Talmud.
+His brother, Rabbi [[Ephraim Epstein]] (1876-1960) also studied at the Slabodka yeshiva, and later moved to the United States were he served as rabbi to Congregation Anshei Kneseth in Chicago for over 50 years. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein's son, Rabbi Harry Epstein, headed  Ahavath Achim Congregation in Atlanta Georgia for over 50 years<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Chicago|title=EPSTEIN, RABBI HARRY H.|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-05-05-0305050076-story.html|access-date=2021-05-31|website=chicagotribune.com|language=en-US}}</ref> and founded what is now called the Epstein School.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Epstein School - About Us|url=https://www.epsteinatlanta.org/aboutus/|access-date=2021-05-31|language=en-US|quote=In 1973, Rabbi Harry H. Epstein and the visionary leaders of Ahavath Achim Synagogue dreamed of a Conservative Jewish day school that would embrace the core values of Judaism in a nurturing, compassionate and stimulating environment. They envisioned a school with a reputation for academic excellence. Thus, the very first campus, housed at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, was founded.|archive-date=2021-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213520/https://www.epsteinatlanta.org/aboutus/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein died in Jerusalem in 1933, corresponding to the [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew date]] 10 of [[Kislev]] 5694. He is buried on the [[Mount of Olives]].
+Epstein died in Jerusalem in 1933, corresponding to the [[Hebrew calendar|Hebrew date]] 10 of [[Kislev]] 5694. He is buried on the [[Mount of Olives]].
+A street in the Neve Haim neighborhood in [[Hadera]] is named after him, and a street in the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem is named after his book "Levush Mordechai"
 ==External links and references==
@@ Line 43: / Line 48: @@
 {{Volozhin Yeshiva}}
 {{Pre-World War II European Yeshivos}}
+{{Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah}}
 {{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Epstein, Moshe Mordechai}}
-[[Category:Lithuanian Orthodox rabbis]]
+[[Category:Lithuanian Haredi rabbis]]
 [[Category:Haredi rabbis in Europe]]
-[[Category:Rabbis in Mandatory Palestine]]
+[[Category:Haredi rabbis in Mandatory Palestine]]
-[[Category:Rosh yeshivas]]
+[[Category:Haredi rosh yeshivas]]
+[[Category:Rabbis from Kaunas]]
 [[Category:1866 births]]
 [[Category:1933 deaths]]
 [[Category:Burials at the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives]]
+[[Category:Academic staff of Slabodka yeshiva]]
+[[Category:Volozhin Yeshiva alumni]]

v t e Volozhin Yeshiva
Faculty	Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin Eliezer Fried Refael Shapiro Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Beis Halevi) Chaim Soloveitchik Chaim of Volozhin Yitzchak Volozhin	Standort Valozhyn, Belarus
Alumni	Shmuel Alexandrov Meir Bar-Ilan Zelig Reuven Bengis Micha Josef Berdyczewski Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin Hayim Nahman Bialik David Cohen Israel Davidson Alter Asher Droyanov Baruch Epstein Moshe Mordechai Epstein Chaim Ozer Grodzinski Abraham Harkavy Shmuel Yitzchak Hillman Jacob Joseph Nachum Kaplan Chaim Mordechai Katz Abraham Isaac Kook Moyshe Kulbak Moshe Landyski Boruch Ber Leibowitz Aryeh Levin Isser Zalman Meltzer Samuel Mohilever Shlomo Polachek Yitzhak Isaac Halevy Rabinowitz Yitzchak Yaacov Reines Mnachem Risikoff Zundel Salant Refael Shapiro Shimon Shkop Chaim Soloveitchik Zalman Sorotzkin Elchonon Wasserman Kalman Zev Wissotzky	Standort Valozhyn, Belarus
See also: Valozhyn, Belarus

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