Rav Ovadiah Yosef (1920-2013), Baghdad, Yerushalayim; Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel and one of the foremost Talmudic authorities of his generation. At age 20 he received rabbinical ordination from Rav Ben-Zion Ouziel, and five years later was appointed dayan of the Sephardi Bet Din in Jerusalem. In 1947, moved to Cairo, where he was elected head of the bet din and deputy chief rabbi of Egypt. While there he refused to speak against the State of Israel and forbade Jewish contributions to the Egyptian military. In 1948, returned to Israel and in 1968 attained the role of Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, followed by Chief Rabbi of Israel in 1973.
Kerem Chemed - R' Yehuda Leib Rabinovitz (1927-2007), Kovno, Lithuania; Published 5768 in Yerushalayim. Talmid of the Gavad of Tchebin; and Rosh Yeshiva of Kochav Yaacov - Yeshivat Tchebin in Yerushalayim.
Sefer HaYashar - Often attributed to Rabbeinu Tam, Zerahiah ha-Yevani, or R. Jonah Gerondi in 13th century Spain.
Malbim - Rabbi Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michel Weisser (1809-1879), Poland, Romania, France, Ukraine; Hebrew grammarian, halachic scholar, and author of a uniquely creative and comprehensive Torah commentary. Malbim’s staunch adherence to tradition put him in direct confrontation with Reformers of the Jewish Enlightenment, although he was nonetheless accused by some chasidic leaders of introducing Enlightenment thought in his Torah commentary.
Rashi - R' Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105), Troyes, France. "Rabban Shel Yisrael" - The great Rishon who wrote commentary on all areas of Torah.
Rav Sholom Schwadron (1912-1997), Yerushalayim; Known as the "Maggid of Yerushalayim" for his fiery, inspirational mussar talks delivered on Friday-nights at the Zichron Moshe shtiebel near Geula. Talmid muvhak of the mashgiach ruchani at Chevron Yeshiva, Rav Leib Chasman, and also studied under Rav Elya Lopian, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein, and Rav Meir Chodosh. Some of the stories he told about the character and conduct of Torah leaders and tzadikim of previous generations were incorporated in the "Maggid" series of books by Rabbi Paysach Krohn, whose parents hosted Rav Schwadron during his visits. After the untimely death of Rabbi Avrohom Zelig Krohn, Rav Schwadron became a surrogate father to his seven orphans and encouraged Rabbi Paysach Krohn to pen the first of his popular "Maggid" books, The Maggid Speaks.
Rav Elya Lopian (1876-1970), Poland, England, Zichron Yaacov; Studied at the yeshiva in Lomza and at the Kelm Talmud Torah of R' Simcha Zissel Ziv. Emigrated to England in 1928, and in 1950 to Israel, where he was Mashgiach Ruchani at the Knesses Chizkiyahu yeshiva in Zikhron Ya'akov. Well-known stories about Reb Elya are documented in the introduction to Lev Eliyahu, including his famous interaction with Eliyahu Hanavi about which the world would never have known were it not for the Gerer Rebbe z”tzl revealing it. An eloquent and powerful speaker with the ability to touch and inspire huge crowds, he emphasized the importance of developing and improving character.
Yetziva B'Arah - Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Spira (1936-2015), Germany, New York; Rebbe of the Bluzhev dynasty. After his father was killed in the Holocaust, he reunited with his mother after WWII who went on to marry Rabbi Yisroel Spira - the Rebbe of Istrik. The Rebbe symbolized the ideals of Ahavas Yisroel, deep love and caring for every Yid who crossed his path, wisdom and cleverness, all encased in a remarkable pashtus, simplicity and humility.
Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh - Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar (1696-1743), Salé, Morocco. Considered to be one of the most prominent Rabbis of Morocco, and in Hassidic Judaism.
Avudraham - Rabbi David Abudarham (14th century), Spain; Rishon living in Seville.
Chatam Sofer - R’ Moshe Sofer of Pressburg (1785–1835), Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine.
Chafetz Chaim - R' Yisrael Meir ha-Kohen Kagan (1838-1933), known popularly as the Chofetz Chaim, after his book on lashon hara, who was also well known for the Mishna Berurah, his book on ritual law, was an influential Lithuanian Jewish rabbi, Halakhist, posek, and ethicist whose works continue to be widely influential in Orthodox Jewish life.
Rav Shteinman - Rav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman (1914-2017), Brisk, Switzerland, Bnei Brak; Widely regarded as the Gadol HaDor of the non-Hasidic Lithuanian Haredi Jewish world.
Ramban - Nachmanides – R' Moshe ben Nachman (1194-1270), Girona, Spain, Akko; A leading Torah scholar of the middle-ages who authored commentaries on Torah and the Talmud. He was a posek who wrote responsa and stand-alone works on Halachic topics, as well as works on mysticism, science and philosophy. Immigrated to Israel at age 72 and settled in Akko.
Tosfot - Members of a school of Torah and Talmudic interpretation, 12th and 13th century France and Germany.
