Famous Jews: List of Rabbis

* Hillel II, 4th century creator of the Hebrew calendar, in Judea, son of Judah Nesiah, grandson of Gamaliel IV
* Judah II, 3rd century sage, sometimes called Judah Nesi'ah and Rebbi like his grandfather
* Judah III, 4th century scholar, son of Gamaliel IV, and grandson of Judah II
* Rabbah bar Nahmani
* Rav Ashi, 5th century Babylonian Talmudic sage - primary redactor of the Babylonian Talmud
* Rav Nachman
* Rav Papa
* Rav Yosef
* Rava, important Amora
* Ravina, primary aide to Rav Ashi in the redaction of the Babylonian Talmud
* Resh Lakish
* Shmuel (Talmud), rabbi of Nehardea, physician
* Yochanan, primary author of the Jerusalem Talmud
* Rav Jonah

Rabbis: Middle Ages

See: Geonim and Rishonim.

* Abba Mari, (Minhat Kenaot), 13th century French Talmudist
* Don Isaac Abravanel, (Abarbanel), 15th century philosopher and Torah commentator
* Jacob Berab, 15th-16th century proponent of Semichah (Ordination)
* Abraham ibn Daud, (Sefer HaKabbalah), 12th century Spanish philosopher
* Obadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro, (Bartenura) 15th century commentator on the Mishnah
* Abraham ben David of Posquières, 1100s, France.
* Abraham ibn Ezra, (Even Ezra), 12th century Spanish-North African Biblical commentator
* Amram Gaon, 9th century organizer of the siddur
* Asher ben Jehiel, (Rosh), 13th century German-Spanish Talmudist
* Bahya ibn Paquda, (Hovot ha-Levavot), 11th century Spanish philosopher and moralist
* Chananel Ben Chushiel (Rabbeinu Chananel), 10th century Tunisian Talmudist
* Dunash ben Labrat, 10th century grammarian and poet
* Eliezer ben Nathan, 12th century poet and pietist
* Hasdai Crescas, (Or Hashem), 14th century Talmudist and philosopher
* Rabbenu Gershom, 11th century German Talmudist and legalist
* Gersonides, Levi ben Gershom, (Ralbag), 14th century French Talmudist and philosopher
* Hillel ben Eliakim, (Rabbeinu Hillel), 12th century Talmudist and disciple of Rashi
* Ibn Tibbon, a family of 12th and 13th century Spanish and French scholars, tranlators, and leaders
* Isaac Alfasi, (the Rif), 12th century North African and Spanish Talmudist and Halakhist; author of "Sefer Ha-halachot".
* Jacob ben Asher, (Baal ha-Turim ; Arbaah Turim), 14th century German-Spanish Halakhist
* Joseph Albo, (Sefer Ikkarim), 15th century Spain
* Joseph ibn Migash 12th century Spanish Talmudist and Rosh Yeshiva; teacher of Maimon, father of Maimonides
* Maimonides, Moshe Ben Maimon, (Rambam), 13th century Spanish-North African Talmudist, philosopher, and law codifier
* Mordecai ben Hillel, (The Mordechai), 13th century German Halakhist
* Nahmanides, Moshe ben Nahman, (Ramban), 13th century Spanish and Holy Land mystic and Talmudist
* Nissim Ben Jacob (Rav Nissim Gaon) 10th century Tunisian Talmudist
* Nissim of Gerona, (RaN), 14th century Halakhist and Talmudist
* Rashi, (Solomon ben Yitzchak), 11th century Talmudist, the primary commentator of Talmud
* Elazar Rokeach, (Sefer HaRokeach) 12th century German rabbinic scholar
* Saadia Gaon, (Emunoth ve-Deoth ; Siddur) 10th century Exilarch and leader of Babylonian Jewry
* Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon, 12th-13th century French Maimonidean philosopher and translator
* Tosafists, (Tosfot) 11th, 12th and 13th century Talmudic scholars in France and Germany
* Yehuda Halevi, (Kuzari), 12th century Spanish philosopher and poet devoted to Zion

Rabbis: 16th - 18th centuries

See: Acharonim.

Rabbis: 16th - 17th centuries

* Isaac Abendana, 17th century Sephardic scholar in England
* Jacob Abendana, 17th century Sephardic rabbi in England
* Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, 17th century Dutch scholar and Kabbalist, first Rabbi in the Americas
* Bezalel Ashkenazi, ( Shittah Mekubetzet), 16th century Talmudist
* Yair Bacharach, (Havvot Yair), 17th century German Talmudist
* Moses ben Jacob Cordovero (RaMaK) 16th century Holy Land Kabbalistic scholar
* Hillel ben Naphtali Zevi, (Bet Hillel), 17th century Lithuanian scholar
* Samuel Edels, (Mahrsha), 16th century Talmudist
* Kalonymus Haberkasten 16th century Polish rabbi; Rosh Yeshiva of many great Rishonim
* David HaLevi Segal,(Taz)16th century Halakhist, major commentatry on the Shulchan Aruch
* Isaiah Horowitz (Shlah) 16th century Kabbalist and Author - Eastern Europe and Israel
* Moshe Isserles, (Rema), 16th century Polish legal scholar, author of Ha-mappah (component of the Shulchan Aruch)
* Yosef Karo, (Mechaber), 16th century Spanish and Land of Israel legal codifier of the Shulchan Aruch - code of Torah Law
* Meir of Lublin, (Maharam), 16th century Posek and Talmudist
* Isaac Luria, (Ari), 16th century Holy Land mystic, founder of Lurianic Kabbalah
* Solomon Luria, (Maharshal), 16th century Posek and Talmudist
* Menasseh Ben Israel, 17th century Dutch rabbi and advocate of resettlement in England
* Shalom Shachna, 16th century Polish Talmudist; Rosh Yeshiva of several great Rishonim
* Judah Low ben Bezalel, (Maharal), 16th century Prague mystic and Talmudist
* Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno, (Sforno), 16th century Italian scholar and rationalist
* Sforno, 15th, 16th, and 17th century family of Italian Torah scholars and philosophers
* Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz, 16th-17th century Torah commentator
* Herschel ben Avram, 16th century Torah and Talmud commentator
* Hayyim ben Joseph Vital, 16th Kabbalist
* Mordekhai Yaffe ("Levush") , 16th-17th century Polish rabbi, codifier of halakha
* Menahen Ben Elhanan Rizzolo ("Levush") , 16th-17th century French rabbi, manuscript of Rizzolo containing halakic decisions

Rabbis: 18th century

* Chaim Joseph David Azulai (Hida), Sephardi rabbi and bibliographer
* Raphael Berdugo, rabbi in Meknes
* Haim Isaac Carigal, rabbi in Newport, Rhode Island in 1773 who became great influence on Reverend Ezra Stiles, and therefore on Yale University
* Dovber of Mezritch, (Maggid), 18th century Eastern European mystic, primary disciple of the Baal Shem Tov
* Elijah ben Solomon (the Vilna Gaon or Gra), 18th century Talmudist and mystic, Lithuanian leader of the Mitnagdim, opponent of Hasidim
* Jacob Emden, 18th century German Talmudist and mystic
* Israel ben Eliezer, (Baal Shem Tov), 18th century mystic, founder of Hasidic Judaism
* Aaron Hart, Chief rabbi of Great Britain
* David Hassine, Moroccan Jewish poet
* Yechezkel Landau, (Noda Bihudah), 18th century Posek and Talmudist
* Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, (Ramchal), 18th century Italian ethicist, philosopher, and mystic.
* Hart Lyon, Chief rabbi of Great Britain
* David Nieto, English rabbi
* Isaac Nieto, English rabbi
* Shneur Zalman of Liadi, (Alter Rebbe of Chabad), 18th century mystic and Talmudist, founder of Chabad Hasidism and first Chabad Rebbe
* Akiva Eiger, 18th century Talmudist, and communal leader
* Elimelech of Lizhensk, (Noam Elimelech) 18th century Polish mystic and Hasid
* Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, (Kedushas Leivi) 18th century Polish Hassidic Leader
* Shalom Sharabi, Yemenite rabbi and Kabbalist

Orthodox rabbis

Orthodox rabbis: 19th century

* Nathan Marcus Adler, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire
* Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter Sfas Emes Gerrer Rebbe
* Benjamin Artom, Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews
* Joshua Berdugo 19th century Rabbi in Meknes
* Salomon Berdugo 19th century Rabbi in Meknes
* Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin, (Netziv ; Ha'emek Davar) 19th century head of Volozhin yeshiva in Lithuania
* Avrohom Bornsztajn Avnei Neizer Sochatshover Rebbe
* Zvi Hirsch Chajes (Maharatz Chayes) Galician talmudic scholar
* Yosef Chayim, the Ben Ish Hai, Iraqi halakhist and preacher
* Yehoshua Leib Diskin, Rabbi in Shklov, Brisk and Jerusalem
* Yechiel Michel Epstein, (Aruch ha-Shulchan) 19th-20th century halakhist and posek (decisor)
* Jacob Ettlinger, 19th century German scholar and opponent of Reform
* Jacob of Lissa Galician Halakhist
* Azriel Hildesheimer, 19th century German rabbi and philosopher
* Samson Raphael Hirsch, 19th century German rabbi, founder of the Torah im Derech Eretz movement
* Solomon Herschell, 19th century British Chief rabbi
* Chaim Zundl Maccoby, the Kamenitzer Magid
* Malbim, Meir Lob ben Jehiel Michael, (The Malbim), 19th century Russian preacher and scholar
* Raphael Meldola, Sephardic rabbi in London
* Frederick de Sola Mendes, Sephardic rabbi in London and America
* Nachman of Breslav, (Reb Nachman), 19th century Ukrainian Hasidic rebbe and mystic
* Yisrael Lipkin Salanter, 19th century Lithuanian ethicist and moralist
* Dovber Schneuri, 19th century Russian second Rebbe of Chabad
* Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, (Tzemach Tzedek), 19th century Russian third Rebbe of Lubavitch
* Shmuel Schneersohn, 19th century Russian fourth Rebbe of Lubavitch
* Yaakov Chaim Sofer, Baghdadi rabbi, author of Kaf ha-Chaim
* Moses Sofer, (Chatam Sofer) 19th century Hungarian rabbi
* Chaim Soloveitchik ("Brisker Rov" 19th century Eastern European rabbi

Orthodox rabbis: 20th century

Chareidi leaders

* Yehezkel Abramsky, author of Chazon Yehezkel
* Yisrael Abuhatzeira, 20th century Kabbalist
* Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, (Michtav Me'Eliyahu) 20th century religious philosopher and ethicist
* Baruch Epstein, (Torah Temimah), 20th century Lithuanian Torah commentator
* Moshe Mordechai Epstein, ( Levush Mordechai), 20th century Talmudist and co-head of Slabodka Yehiva
* Moshe Feinstein, (Igrot Moshe), 20th century Russian-American legal scholar and Talmudist
* Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, (Kerem HaTzvi), 20th century author, leader and renowned scholar
* Nosson Tzvi Finkel, (Alter / Sabba), early 20th century founder of Slabodka Yeshiva, Lithuania. Disciples opened major yeshivas in US and Israel
* Rogatchover Gaon (Rav Yosef Rosen), Talmudist and Hasidic leader
* Boruch Greenfeld, (Reb Boruch Hermenshtater), 20th century Hasidic mystic and scholar, author of Ohel Boruch
* Yitzchok Hutner, (Pachad Yitzchok), 20th century European-born, American and Israeli Rosh Yeshiva
* Yisrael Meir Kagan, (Chofetz Chaim), 20th century Polish legalist and moralist
* Aryeh Kaplan, (Living Torah) 20th century writer and mystic
* Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, (Chazon Ish) 20th century Haredi leader in Israel
* Aharon Kotler, 20th century Lithuanian scholar, founder of Lakewood Yeshiva in US
* Chaim Kreiswirth, long-time Chief Rabbi of Antwerp (Belgium)
* Isser Zalman Meltzer, renowned Lithuanian Rosh Yeshiva
* Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz, (Mr. Mendlowitz) 20th century European-born head of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in the US
* Shulem Moshkovitz, Hasidic rebbe in London
* Chanoch Dov Padwa, (Cheishev Ho'ephod), rabbinical head of UOHC, London
* Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, 20th century Russian fifth Rebbe of Lubavitch
* Joseph Isaac Schneersohn, 20th century sixth Rebbe of Lubavitch
* Menachem Mendel Schneerson, (Lubavitcher Rebbe), 20th century Hasidic mystic and scholar, seventh Chabad Rebbe
* Joseph ben Yehuda Leib Shapotshnick, 20th century British rabbi
* Shimon Shkop, famed Rosh Yeshiva in Telz and Grodno
* Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, (Ohr Sameiach ; Meshech Chochmah) Lithuanian-Latvian Talmudist and communal leader
* Joel Teitelbaum, (Satmar Rebbe), 20th century Hasidic Hungarian-American rebbe known for anti-Zionism
* Chaim Michael Dov Weissmandl, (Min HaMeitzar) 20th century European scholar involved in rescue efforts during the Holocaust

Modern and Zionist leaders

* Hermann Adler, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire
* Meir Berlin, (Bar Ilan) 20th century religious Zionist leader
* Israel Brodie, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth
* Isidore Epstein, Principal of Jews' College, London
* Moses Gaster, Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews of Britain
* Sir Hermann Gollancz, British rabbi and professor
* Meir Kahane, (Never Again) 20th century founder of the American Jewish Defense League and the Israeli Kach party
* Joseph H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire
* Shmuel Yitzchak Hillman, British rabbi and dayan
* Moses Hyamson, British rabbi
* Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane, Israeli leader of Kahane Chai party
* Abraham Isaac Kook, 20th century philosopher and mystic, first chief rabbi of Palestine
* Immanuel Jakobovits, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, medical ethicist
* Chalom Messas, chief Rabbi of Morocco and Jerusalem
* David Messas, chief Rabbi of Paris.
* Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth
* David Silverman, Outreach Rabbi with the Atlanta Scholars Kollel
* Simeon Singer, editor of the United Synagogue prayer book
* Joseph Soloveitchik, 20th century European-born Talmudist and philosopher
* Selig Starr, Chicago Rabbi

Orthodox rabbis: Contemporary

Haredi rabbis

* Gerrer Rebbes, (Gerrer), Polish Hasidic dynasty now in Israel, followers also in the US and UK
* Vizhnitzer Rebbes, (Vizhnitzer), Romanian dynasty of Hasidic rebbes in Israel and the US
* Shlomo Amar, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel
* Avrohom Blumenkrantz z'l, posek and kashrut authority
* Meir Brandsdorfer, member of the Badatz (rabbinical court) of the Edah HaChareidis
* Yosef Shalom Eliashiv, Israeli rabbi and de facto rabbinical leader of the chareidi world
* Moshe Gafni, member of Israeli parliament
* Menachem Genack, OU
* Yitzchak Kadouri, leading 20th century Kabbalist (deceased)
* Yaakov Kamenetsky, rabbinical leader and educationalist
* Nissim Karelitz, respected Israeli chareidi leader
* Israel Kirzner, economist and authority on writings of Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner
* Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel
* Israel Meir Lau, former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel and current Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv
* Moshe Chaim Ephraim Padwa, rabbinical head of the UOHC, London
* Yissachar Dov Rokeach (II), Belzer Rebbe
* Moshe Sacks, Satmar posek.
* Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, dean of Torah Ohr Yeshiva, Jerusalem
* Adin Steinsaltz, 21st century Israeli Talmud scholar and philosopher
* Moshe Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe (deceased)
* Avraham Yitzchak Ulman, member of the Badatz (rabbinical court) of the Edah HaChareidis
* Ovadia Yosef, 21st century Iraqi-Israeli former Israel Sephardic Chief Rabbi, legal scholar, "de facto" leader of Sephardic Jewry
* Amnon Yitzhak, leading 'baal teshuva Rabbi' in Israel
* Avigdor Nevenzahl, Chief Rabbi of the old city of Jerusalem

Modern Orthodox

* David Bigman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Maale Gilboa
* Levi Brackman, British-born rabbi
* David Bar Hayim, founder of Machon Ben Yishai, Proponent of Nusach Eretz Yisrael
* Mordechai Breuer, Israeli rabbi, descendant of Samson Raphael Hirsch
* Barry Freundel, rabbi of Kesher Israel congregation in Washingon DC.
* James Kennard, British educationalist
* Norman Lamm, 20th century American modern Orthodox thinker, head of Yeshiva University
* Aharon Lichtenstein, American-born head of an Israeli yeshiva
* Yosef Mendelevitch former Soviet "Refusenik" and Zionist activist
* Shlomo Riskin
* Shalom Rosner, Rav, Congregation Bais Ephraim Yitzchok
* Hershel Schachter, leading posek for the modern orthodox community.
* Andrew Shaw, British rabbi and youth leader
* Joseph Telushkin author.
* Moshe David Tendler, son-in-law of Moshe Feinstein, and noted bioethist.
* Mordechai Willig, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, prominent Posek for the Modern Orthodox community.
* Avi Weiss, activist and founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
* Dov Zakheim, non-practicing modern Orthodox rabbi, economic and political leader in US government

Ahron (Aaron) Soloveichik ;(May 1, 1917 - October 4, 2001) was a scholar of Halakha and a Rosh Yeshiva; known especially within circles of Orthodox Judaism Read More