Sages & Scholars

Who Was the Chofetz Chayyim?

This influential 20th-century Jewish figure established his reputation first and foremost as an opponent of lashon hara, evil speech.

Who Is Rachel Adler?

How Adler uses feminist ideas to challenge Jewish law.

Mishnah and Tosefta

These two texts both shaped Rabbinic Judaism. But which came first?

The Geonic Period

During this time Babylonia was the spiritual and political center of Diaspora Jewry, and Jewish communities looked to the Geonim for authoritative teachings on halachic matters.

Leo Baeck

Theologian who emphasized the ethical center of Judaism.

Abraham Isaac Kook

According to Kook, Jews can only reach their full spiritual potential in the Land of Israel.

Who Was Nahmanides (Ramban)?

This Spanish Bible commentator earned a place alongside Rashi.

Maharal of Prague

An original Jewish thinker, influential far beyond the golem he created.

Rabbi Soloveitchik

A teacher, writer, and community leader who helped to shape modern Orthodoxy in America.

Rabbi Isaac Alfasi: Rif

A legal code for the Jews of medieval North Africa and Spain.

Moshe (Moses) Isserles: Rema

Rema's glosses emended and enhanced the Shulchan Aruch.

The Mishneh Torah

Maimonides' halachic magnum opus.