Semuchim Le'ad - R’ Eliyahu ben Shlomo HaKohen Ha’Itamari (1640–1729), İzmir / Smyma, Greece. Studied under R. Benjamin Melamed. Opposition to Shabtai Zvi and his associates earned him much grief at home. Cared for orphans as his writings display an extremely detailed knowledge of the physical and psychological suffering of the poor. A prolific writer best remembered for his ethical work Shevet Mussar (Rod of Admonition), which has seen numerous editions and been translated into many languages. Semuchin Le'ad is a sefer on the Parshiot of the Torah.
Da’at Zekainim - The Ba’alei HaTosafot were members of a school of Torah and Talmudic interpretation in 12th and 13th century France and Germany. Their roots are in the work of Rashi and their approach is analytical, comparative and incisive. Other works emerged from their school, most notably Machzor Vitri and the Torah commentary, Da’at Z’kenim.
Targum Yonatan ben Uziel - Aramaic translation to Nevii’im; One of 80 tannaim who studied under Hillel HaZaken during era of Roman rule.
Rav Yaakov Galinsky - (1920-2014), Poland, Bnei Brak; A scion of Yeshivas Novardok in Bialystok.
Vilna Gaon - (The Gra) R’ Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman (1720-1797), Vilnius, Poland, Lithuania. Foremost leader of misnagdic Jewry of the past few centuries. Considered the father of the stream of Lithuanian Kabbalah, and remembered as a leader of the opposition to the Hasidic movement.
Arizal - Ari HaKadosh, Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572), Yerushalayim, Egypt, Tzefat; Considered the forefather of modern Kabbalah.
Maharal - The Maharal of Prague - R’ Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel (1520 - 1609), Prague; Mystically inclined philosopher whose writings left an indelible impression on generations of Ashkenazic Jewry. His numerous philosophical works became cornerstones of Jewish thought and had a profound influence on Chassidic teaching. He also wrote halachic works, including a commentary on the Arba’ah Turim.
Rashash - R’ Shmuel Strashun (1794-1872), Russia, Vilna; A scholar and community activist, he was an important member of the Vilna community in his time.
Zohar Chadash - Composed in Middle-Age Spain, c.1100 – c.1400. A collection of manuscripts that were found containing material pertaining to the Zohar but not included in printed editions of the work. The manuscripts were later organized, mostly by Parsha, and printed as their own work.
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.
