Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Sonnenfeld
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Sonnenfeld was a prominent Orthodox rabbi and a revered leader in the Jewish community of Jerusalem during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1848 in Pressburg, now Bratislava, Slovakia, he was a disciple of Rabbi Samuel Benjamin Sofer, who was a prominent figure in the Hungarian Jewish community. Rabbi Sonnenfeld emigrated to Palestine in 1873, settling in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Throughout his life, Rabbi Sonnenfeld was known for his deep religious scholarship and his strong commitment to Jewish law and tradition. He was a co-founder of the Edah HaChareidis, an independent Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, which opposed the secular Zionist movement and focused on maintaining strict religious standards. His leadership style was marked by a blend of compassion and firmness, and he was deeply involved in addressing the social, educational, and economic needs of the Jewish community in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Sonnenfeld's legacy includes numerous written works on Jewish law and ethics, and he is remembered as a symbol of piety and dedication to Jewish tradition. His interpretations and rulings continue to influence Orthodox Jewish thought and practice today. His commitment to Jewish education and community welfare left a lasting impact on the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, making him a respected and influential figure in the history of the city and in Orthodox Judaism.