Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, known as the Chofetz Chaim. Yisrael Meir HaCohen Kagan was a rabbi, Halakhist and ethicist, born in Zhetel, Poland on February 6, 1838, and died in Radin, Poland, September 15, 1933. His legal surname was "Poupko," but this is seldom used.
He was one of the most influential rabbis of Orthodox Judaism in the late 19th and early 20th century. He is best known by the name of his first book, Chafetz Chayim (חָפֵץ חַיִּים "Seeker/Desire [of] Life") (published in 1873), that deals with the laws of gossip and slander (known in Hebrew as Leshon ha-Ra). These teachings have inspired the formation and popularity of the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation dedicated to the dissemination of his teachings to Jewish communities around the world. Two major American yeshivas were named in his honor:
Many smaller Jewish religious institutions throughout the world also carry his name.
Some of his other works include: Shmirat HaLashon ("Guarding [of] the Tongue"), Mishna Berura with its commentaries known as the Bi'ur Halacha, and Sha'ar HaTzion.
See also
External links
References
- Chafetz Chaim, the life and works of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin by M.M. Yoshor. New York, NY: Mesorah publications, 1984. ISBN 0899064620.
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