Soloveichik, Joseph Baer of Volozhin

views updated

Soloveichik, Joseph Baer of Volozhin (1820–92). Jewish Talmudic expert. Joseph was the son of Isaac Zeʾev, the rabbi of Kovno, who was himself the descendant of a line of eminent rabbis. He was the head of the yeshivah at Volozhin from 1849, although he fell out with his co-head, Naphtali Berlin. His grandson, Isaac Zeʾev ha-Levi Soloveichik (1886–1959), was regarded as a supreme halakhic authority in Jerusalem. Another grandson, Moses (1876–1914), was rosh-yeshivah at Yeshiva University; his eldest son, also Joseph Baer ( Joseph Solovei(t)chik), was a leading figure in the interpretation and application of halakhah in the USA. Although various responsa of the Soloveichiks have been preserved, there was a family tradition against publication.

About this article

Soloveichik, Joseph Baer of Volozhin

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article