Rashi - R’ Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105), Troyes, France. "Rabban Shel Yisrael"
The great Rishon who wrote commentary on all areas of Torah.
Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh - Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar (1696-1743), Salé, Morocco.
Considered one of most prominent Rabbis of Morocco, and in Hassidic Judaism.
Torat Kohanim - Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Yehudah Yechiel Michel Safrin of Komarna (1806-1874), Ukraine
First and most important rebbe of the Komarna Chassidut, with thousands of chassidim. Suffered disdain and poverty, and later said he achieved his lofty spiritual level in the merit of the persecution, which he suffered with love and joy. Prolific writer on an array of topics, particularly on Kabbalah, in which he was an expert and a great innovator. He delved into the writings of the Ba'al Shem Tov and into the stories about him and his disciples.
Rambam - Maimonides - Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1137-1204), Spain, Morocco, Egypt.
Meshech Chochma - Rav Meir Simcha HaKohen of Dvinsk (1843-1926), Lithuania
Prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Eastern Europe in the early 20th century. Known for his writings on Rambam’ Mishneh Torah, which he titled Ohr Somayach, as well as his novellae on the Torah, titled Meshech Chochma. He reputedly turned down offers for the rabbinate in various large cities, including Jerusalem, New York City and Kovno, and died in a hotel in Riga, Latvia, while seeking medical treatment.
Radak - R’ David Kimchi (1160-1235), Narbonne, France.
Maharil - R' Yaakov ben Moshe Levi Moelin (1365-1427), Mainz, Germany
Leading 14-15th century Halachic authority, best known for his codification of the customs of German Jewry. Succeeded his father as Rabbi of Mainz in 1387. "Minhagei Maharil", a compilation of German customs and synagogue rites was written by his student R' Zalman, and is frequently quoted in Rama's addendums to the Shulchan Aruch.
Ben Ish Chai - R’ Yosef Hayyim (1834-1909), Baghdad
Chacham of the Baghdad Jewish community for over 50 years. Prominent authority on halacha and a master kabbalist. His work is based on his classes on the weekly parsha, containing both kabbalistic insights as well as practical laws for everyday life. He also composed "Ben Yehoyada", a commentary on the Aggadic portions of the Talmud, and responsa entitled "Rav Pe’alim".
Etz Yosef - R' Chanokh Zundel ben Yosef, 19th-century talmudist from Bialystok.
Wrote commentaries on Ein Ya’akov and Midrash Rabbah, among other works. His writing consists of summaries of earlier commentaries, incorporating his own novel interpretations. Devoted to analysing the various midrashim in light of each other and earlier commentators and then finding creative new solutions to the apparent contradictions in the sources.
Pesikta Rabbati
Composed c.600 – c.900. A medieval book of midrash containing midrashim from Pesikta d’Rav Kahana and earlier sources.
Rashbam - R’ Shmuel ben Meir (c.1085–c.1174), France.
Grandson of Rashi and older brother of Rivam and Rabbeinu Tam. His Torah commentary is concise and strictly to the concept of the "peshat". He does not hesitate to argue with Rashi when he feels that his commentary strayed from the plain meaning of the verse.
Seforno - R’ Ovadiah ben Ya’akov Seforno (1470-1550), Italy
In his Tanach commentary, often cites rabbinic statements to address philosophical as well as textual issues, and offers many novel interpretations rooted in these traditions.
