Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnik, who became a familiar and sometimes controversial figure in London, was born in Kishinev. He was a charismatic and prominent East End character, a social activist and Chassidic rabbi without a congregation. As I have written before, Rabbi Joseph Shaposhnick was like Marmite – you either loved him or hated him. He … Continue reading Chinuch Hadas Vehada’as by Rabbi Joseph Shapotshnick, Piotrków, 1911.
Month: February 2026
Shoshanas HaEmakim, by Rabbi Yosef ben Meir Teomim, Lemberg, 1860.
This is an interesting small book from my antique book collection, called Shoshanas ha-Emakim, which means Lily of the Valleys. The author is Rabbi Yosef ben Meir Teomim, often known by the title of his major work, "Pri Megadim". It is a scholarly work focused on the methodology and principles of Talmudic study. My copy … Continue reading Shoshanas HaEmakim, by Rabbi Yosef ben Meir Teomim, Lemberg, 1860.
Mishneh Torah – Yad HaChazakah, by Moses ben Maimon (Rambam), Dyhrenfurth, 1809.
The Rambam, Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (also known as Maimonides), was a Talmudist, halakhist (Jewish legal scholar), doctor of medicine, philosopher and communal leader. He lived in 12th-century-Egypt and his writings (in Arabic and Hebrew) spread across the Jewish world and beyond, enriching the study of Judaism, philosophy, medicine, and more. His great work was … Continue reading Mishneh Torah – Yad HaChazakah, by Moses ben Maimon (Rambam), Dyhrenfurth, 1809.
Jewish Miscellanies 