Israel Lipschitz

Yisrael Lifschitz (Hebrew: ישראל ליפשיץ‏; 1782–1860) was a leading 19th-century Ashkenazi rabbi, first in Dessau and then in the Jewish Community of Danzig. He was the author of the commentary "Tiferes Yisrael" on the Mishnah.

Rabbi Yisrael Lifschitz
Rabbi Yisrael Lifschitz
Title	Rabbi
Personal
Born	1782
Died	1860
Nationality	German
Parent	Gedalia
Notable work(s)	Tiferes Yisrael, Derush Ohr HaChayim
Known for	Tiferes Yisrael commentary on the Mishnah
Occupation	Rabbi
Senior posting
Post	Rabbi of Dessau Rabbi of Danzig

Biography

Lipshitz's father's name was Gedalia.

Lipshitz led the life of an ascetic, frequently fasted three days in succession, and studied incessantly. His ethical will (published in Konigsberg in 1860 or 1861) contains twenty-eight paragraphs, consisting chiefly of moral and ascetic precepts. He left in manuscript many notes ("derashos") to the Shulchan Aruch and to Maimonides' (Rambam's) Mishneh Torah, a comprehensive treatise on the order Taharos, and many responsa.

Works

Lipshitz was the author of Tiferes Yisrael, a well-known commentary on the Mishnah. The edition of the Mishnah containing this commentary is often referred to as "Mishnayos Yachin uBoaz". The commentary is divided into two parts, one more general and one more analytical, titled "Yachin" and "Boaz" respectively (after two large pillars in Solomon's Temple, the first Temple in Jerusalem).

He also wrote Derush Ohr HaChayim (Homily on the Light of Life) which debates the eternality of the soul and the age of the universe.

External links

• Jewish Encyclopedia