Acharonim
The Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838–1933): biography and works
The life of the Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan: his childhood in Zhetl, the Radin yeshiva, his book on evil speech, the Mishnah Berurah and his humility.
Sages of Israel
Sages of the Talmud and Halacha
The sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud, and the codifiers of the law.
Tannaim
Hillel the Elder: biography, teachings and the House of Hillel
The life of Hillel the Elder, sage of the Second Temple period: his Babylonian origin, the seven rules of interpretation, the prozbul and his sayings.
Acharonim
The Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Yehuda Löw (c. 1520–1609): biography and works
The life of the Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Yehuda Löw: his posts in Nikolsburg, Prague and Poznań, his meeting with Rudolf II, his works and the Golem.
Acharonim
The Malbim, Rabbi Meir Leibush Weiser (1809–1879): biography and commentaries
The life of the Malbim, Rabbi Meir Leibush Weiser: his posts in Wreschen, Kempen and Bucharest, his conflict with the reformers and his works.
Tannaim
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai: biography, Yavne and the rebuilding after the Temple
The life of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai: disciple of Hillel, the flight from Jerusalem and the founding of the academy of Yavne.
Tannaim
Rabbi Akiva (c. 50–135): biography, teachings and martyrdom
The life of Rabbi Akiva: from illiterate shepherd to master of the Mishnah, his disciples, the Bar Kokhba revolt and his death reciting the Shema.
Acharonim
Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin (1749–1821): biography, Nefesh HaChaim and the Volozhin yeshiva
The life of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin: disciple of the Vilna Gaon, founder of the Volozhin yeshiva in 1803 and author of Nefesh HaChaim.
Acharonim
The Chida, Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (1724–1806): biography and works
The life of the Chida, Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai: born in Jerusalem, emissary of the communities of the Land of Israel, author of Shem HaGedolim, Birkei Yosef and Maagal Tov.
Rishonim
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, the Rambam (Maimonides): biography, works and legacy
The life of the Rambam, Maimonides: Córdoba, the Almohad exile, his life in Egypt, the Mishneh Torah and the Guide for the Perplexed. With a timeline.
20th and 21st centuries
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (1920–2013): biography, works and legacy
The life of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: born in Baghdad, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, founder of Shas and author of Yabia Omer. His halachic approach and his legacy.
Geonim
Rabbi Saadia Gaon (882–942): biography, works and legacy
The life of Rabbi Saadia Gaon: from Egypt to Babylonia, the polemic with the Karaites, his translation of the Torah into Arabic and Emunot VeDeot.
Tannaim
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the Rashbi: biography, the cave and the Zohar tradition
The life of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the Rashbi: disciple of Rabbi Akiva, the cave, Meron, Lag BaOmer and his relationship to the Zohar.
Tannaim
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (c. 135–217): biography and the editing of the Mishnah
The life of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, Rabbi, the editor of the Mishnah: his family, his leadership in Tzippori and Beit She’arim, his relationship with Antoninus and his burial.
Acharonim
Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488–1575): biography, Shulchan Aruch and Maggid Meisharim
The life of Rabbi Yosef Karo: from the expulsion from Spain to Safed, author of the Beit Yosef and the Shulchan Aruch, and of the mystical diary Maggid Meisharim. With a timeline.
Rishonim
The Rashbam, Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir (c. 1085–1158): biography and literal commentary
The life of the Rashbam, Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir: grandson of Rashi, a Torah commentator attentive to the literal sense, and tosafist.
Rishonim
Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040–1105): biography, commentaries and legacy
The life of Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki: Worms and Mainz, the Troyes yeshiva, his commentary on the Torah and the Talmud. With a timeline.
Acharonim
The Rema, Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1530–1572): biography, the Mappah and legacy
The life of the Rema, Rabbi Moshe Isserles of Kraków: his yeshiva, the Mappah glosses on the Shulchan Aruch, the Torat HaOlah and the synagogue that bears his name.
Acharonim
The Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu (1720–1797): biography, works and legacy
The life of the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu: his prodigious childhood, his commentaries, his opposition to Hasidism and his disciples from Volozhin.