Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan

Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, commonly known as the Chofetz Chaim, was a prominent rabbi and ethicist in Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1838 in Zhetel, present-day Belarus, he became one of the most influential rabbinic authorities of his time. His major works focus on Jewish law and ethics, particularly the laws of speech.

The Chofetz Chaim's most famous work is a book on the Jewish laws of speech, which outlines the ethics of speaking and gossiping about others. His teachings emphasize the importance of guarding one's tongue and the destructive nature of lashon hara (negative speech). This work has been widely studied and revered in Jewish communities worldwide.

Aside from his ethical writings, the Chofetz Chaim also authored the Mishnah Berurah, a comprehensive commentary on Orach Chayim, the first section of the Shulchan Aruch dealing with daily, Sabbath, and holiday laws. His contributions to Jewish law and ethics continue to influence contemporary Jewish thought and practice.

Books

Sefer Chofetz Chaim Student Size The Laws of Lashon Hara Translated and Elucidated including Practical Illustrations, Notes, and Halachic Indexes