Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin - (1823–1900), Lublin, Poland. A disciple of R’ Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica, R’ Yehudah Leib Eiger (grandson of Rabbi Akiva Eiger), and R’ Sholom Rokeach of Belz. As a young man he gained widespread acclaim as an illuy, After the death of R' Eiger in 1888, agreed to take over the leadership of the Hasidim and deliver public classes whose transcriptions were compiled into his work known as Pri Tzadik.
Pesikta d’Rav Kahana - A volume of Midrash arranged according to the Parshiot and Haftarot read on holidays and special Shabbatot. It is one of the earliest midrashim, from the fifth or sixth century in Israel.
Yalkut Shimoni - Compiled between 11th and 14th centuries in Thessaloniki. The author collected and arranged various interpretations from older midrashim. It contains more than 10,000 statements in aggadah and halakhah covering all of Torah, sourced from more than 50 works of which it is the only source for some of them (Sifrei Zuta, Yelammedenu, Midrash Esfah, Midrash Avkir, Midrash Tadshe, Devarim Zuta).
Divrei Yoel - R' Yoel Teitelbaum (1887-1979), Hungary, New York; Founder and first Rebbe of the Satmar dynasty. A major figure in the post-war renaissance of Chasidism, he espoused a strictly conservative and isolationist line, rejecting modernity.
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer - Composed by Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus (1st-2nd century) during times of the Mishnah.
Chida - R' Chaim Yosef David Azulai (1724-1806), Jerusalem, Africa, and Europe; Jerusalem born scholar and pioneer in the publication of Jewish religious writings. Elected in 1755 to become an emissary for the small Jewish community in Israel; would travel around Europe extensively, making an impression in every Jewish community that he visited.
Rav Nissim Gaon - (990-1062). Talmudic commentator and leader of the Jewish community of Kairwan, Tunisia. He learned primarily from his father, Rav Yaakov Gaon – a student of Hai Gaon – and Chushiel ben Elchanan. After his father's death, he was chosen by the Babylonian academies of Sura and Pumbedita as his replacement as head of the academy of Kairwan. His most famous student was Isaac Alfasi (Rif).
Sefat Emet - R’ Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur (1847-1905), Poland; Gerer Rebbe, father of the Imrei Emet. Author of a monumental Torah commentary considered one of the pillars of chasidic thought. The title of the book is based on his last discourse, which ended with a verse from Mishlei: "Sefat Emet Tikon La'ad" — The lips of truth shall be established forever.
Zohar - Central work of mystical tradition of Kabbalah. Traditionally attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. First appeared in 13th-century Spain.
