The Chofetz Chaim דער חפץ חיים זצ"ל

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].