Rabbi
The Chofetz Chaim דער חפץ חיים זצ"ל
Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen of Radin, author of "Chofetz Chaim" and the "Mishnah Berurah"
Edit / add infoRabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan (1838–1933), known as the Chofetz Chaim, was one of the greatest and most beloved Torah leaders of his generation. His books "Chofetz Chaim" on the laws of lashon hara and the "Mishnah Berurah" on Orach Chaim are learned in every Jewish home, Chasidish and Litvish alike.
A book that became a name
Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen was born in Zhetel, Lithuania. In 1873 he anonymously published his first book, "Chofetz Chaim", the first work to gather all the laws of guarding one's speech [1]. It became so famous that the world began calling its author by its name.
The Mishnah Berurah
His greatest work is the "Mishnah Berurah", a commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim published in six volumes between 1884 and 1907 [1]. For many Jews it is the first book they open with a question about daily halacha, and "Daf HaYomi B'Halacha" learns it worldwide.
The yeshiva in Radin
In the town of Radin he built a yeshiva that drew students from all of Europe [1]. He was known for great humility and simplicity, and thousands came to him for a bracha. The Chofetz Chaim passed away on 24 Elul 5693 (1933) in Radin, at about 95 [1].
Sources
- Yisrael Meir Kagan — Wikipedia (accessed October 20, 2026)
All his videos (2)
1:57
רגע ההיסטורי בראדין - גדולי ישראל חנכו את ישיבת החפץ חיים !
מה שמעניין בציבור החרדי
1:57רגע ההיסטורי בראדין - גדולי ישראל חנכו את ישיבת החפץ חיים !
מה שמעניין בציבור החרדיArticles that mention him
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Last updated: October 20, 2026. Spotted an error? Let us know.
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