Faithful Financier

The banker and financier R’ Shimon Wolf Rothschild (1828-1901), who was given titles including tzadik yesod olam, was someone who possessed extensive Torah knowledge and was deeply rooted in emunah. He generously supported yeshivos, the poor, hospitals, and many other charitable causes.

The Kesav Sofer applied to him the pasuk, יָדַע שׁוֹר קֹנֵהוּ, an ox knows its owner—interpreting it as an allusion to Shimon Wolf Rothschild. Despite living fully within the financial world, he nevertheless “recognized his Owner,” maintaining a strong awareness of Hashem. For this, he was greatly respected. The word שור serves as an acronym for שמעון וולף רוטשילד, Shimon Wolf Rothschild.