Rabbi Aharon Sorasky (; surname also spelled ''Surasky'' or ''Sorsky'') is a

Haredi Haredi Judaism (, ) is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that is characterized by its strict interpretation of religious sources and its accepted (Jewish law) and traditions, in opposition to more accommodating values and practices. Its members are ...

author in

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

, his specialty being biographies about Orthodox rabbis. He has also written under the pseudonym A. Safran.

Personal life

Rabbi Sorasky was born on April 28, 1940, and is a Slonimer chossid. He began his writing career with the

Hamodia ''Hamodia'' ( – "''the Informer''") is a Jewish daily newspaper, published in Hebrew language, Hebrew-language in Jerusalem and English language, English-language in the United States, as well as weekly English-language editions in England and I ...

and worked for the Netzach publishing company. He has been hired by several

Hasidic courts A Hasidic dynasty or Chassidic dynasty is a dynasty led by Hasidic Jewish spiritual leaders known as rebbes, and usually has some or all of the following characteristics: * Each leader of the dynasty is referred to as an ''ADMOR'' (abbreviation f ...

to write biographies about their rebbes.

Praise

Rabbi

Hanoch Teller Hanoch Teller (; born 1956) is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, author, lecturer, and producer who popularized the Jewish literary genre of true, contemporary stories to convey inspirational and ethical themes. Author of 28 books,Levin, Menucha Chana. " ...

wrote that "for decades, Rabbi Surasky has established himself as the most eminent, reliable and stylistically graceful biographer of our time–perhaps of all time." Rabbi Teller also praises him as a "serious ''

talmid chacham ''Talmid Chakham'' is an honorific title that is given to a man who is well-versed in Jewish law, i.e., a Torah scholar. Originally ''Talmid Chakhamim'', lit., "student of sages", pl. ''talmidei chakhamim'', "students of sages"; inaccurate reco ...

'' and erudite scholar." Rabbi

Simcha Wasserman Elazar Simcha Wasserman (; 1898 - October 29, 1992) was an Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva. Born in the Russian Empire, he was sent before World War II to the United States by his father, Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman, to improve the level of Jewish ed ...

praised him for his work, ''Ohr Elchonon'', about Rabbi Wasserman's father, saying, "Rabbi Aharon Sorasky, the distinguished author and scholar, gathered and organized the material into a justly acclaimed ''Ohr Elchonon'' in Hebrew. Its accurate portrayal of my father's character, accoplishents, and teachings is an eloquent tribute to Rabbi Sorasky's understanding and skill." Rabbi Gedalia Anemer, ''

rosh yeshiva Rosh yeshiva or Rosh Hayeshiva (, plural, pl. , '; Anglicized pl. ''rosh yeshivas'') is the title given to the dean of a yeshiva, a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and th ...

'' of

Yeshiva of Greater Washington The Yeshiva of Greater Washington (Tiferes Gedaliah) (YGW) is a litvishe Yeshiva located in Kemp Mill, Maryland. It was founded in 1964 by Rabbi Gedaliah Anemer. It consists of a Kollel (Zichron Amram), a Yeshiva Gedolah (that offers a Bachelor ...

, called Rabbi Sorasky's biography on Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam, ''Lapid HaEsh'', "an exceptional work which portrays the life of the great

tzadik Tzadik ( ''ṣaddīq'' , "righteous ne; also ''zadik'' or ''sadiq''; pl. ''tzadikim'' ''ṣadīqīm'') is a title in Judaism given to people considered righteous, such as biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ...

and his many contributions to ''Klal Yisrael'' (the

Jewish people Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, religion, and community are highly inte ...

)."

Bibliography

Torah

* ''MeMaayanot HaNetzach: Machrozet Peninim LeParshat HaShavuah'' (5 volumes) commentary on the

Weekly Torah portions The weekly Torah portion refers to a lectionary custom in Judaism in which a portion of the Torah (or Pentateuch) is read during Jewish prayer services on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The full name, ''Parashat HaShavua'' (), is popularly abbre ...

* ''MeMaayanot HaNetzach: Pirkei Avot'', compilation of

Acharonim In Halakha, Jewish law and history, ''Acharonim'' (, , ; ; ) are the leading rabbis and Posek, poskim (Jewish legal decisors) living from roughly the 16th century to the present, and more specifically since the writing of the ''Shulchan Aruch'' ...

's commentaries on

Pirkei Avot Pirkei Avot (; also transliterated as ''Pirqei Avoth'' or ''Pirkei Avos'' or ''Pirke Aboth'', also ''Abhoth''), which translates into English as Chapters of the Fathers, is a compilation of the ethical teachings and maxims from Rabbinic Jewis ...

* ''MiSod Siach Chassidim: Derech Emunah Bacharti'', 2006, on

Hassidic Hasidism () or Hasidic Judaism is a religious movement within Judaism that arose in the 18th century as a spiritual revival movement in contemporary Western Ukraine before spreading rapidly throughout Eastern Europe. Today, most of those aff ...

faith in their Rebbes * ''MiSod Siach Chassidim: VeAhavtah LeReachah KaMochah'', 2015, sequel to ''MiSod Siach Chassidim: Derech Emunah Bacharti'' * ''Achiezer'', 1970, by Rabbi

Chaim Ozer Grodzensky Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (; August 24, 1863 – August 9, 1940) was a '' Av beis din'' (rabbinical chief justice), ''posek'' (halakhic authority), and Talmudic scholar in Vilnius, Lithuania in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for over 55 years. ...

, arranged by Rabbi Sorasky

Hasidism

* ''Yesod HaMaalah'', 1991, history of

Hassidism Hasidism () or Hasidic Judaism is a religious movement within Judaism that arose in the 18th century as a spiritual revival movement in contemporary Western Ukraine before spreading rapidly throughout Eastern Europe. Today, most of those affi ...

in the

Land of Israel The Land of Israel () is the traditional Jewish name for an area of the Southern Levant. Related biblical, religious and historical English terms include the Land of Canaan, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, and Palestine. The definition ...

* ''Marbitzei Torah BiOlam HaChassidut'', 1986, biographies on

rebbes A Rebbe () or Admor () is the spiritual leader in the Hasidic movement, and the personalities of its dynasties.Heilman, Samuel"The Rebbe and the Resurgence of Orthodox Judaism."''Religion and Spirituality (Audio)''. UCTV, 20 Oct 2011. web. ...

* ''Lapid HaEsh: Pirkei Chayav HaMufla'im Shel Mofet HaDor K"K ABDDK"K Tzanz-Klausenberg Ztzvk"l'', 1996, 2 volume biography of Rabbi

Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam (; January 10, 1905 – June 18, 1994) was a rebbe (hereditary rabbinical leader) of the Hasidic Judaism, Hasidic dynasty of Klausenburg (Hasidic dynasty), Sanz-Klausenburg. Early life Halberstam was born in 1905 in ...

**later translated into English by Judah Lifschutz, under the names ''The Klausenburger Rebbe: The War Years'' and ''The Klausenburger Rebbe: Rebuilding'' * ''Rosh Golat Ariel: Toldot Chayav U'Poalo Shel Rabbeinu Avraham Mordechai Alter MeGur'', 1990, co-authored by Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Segal, 2 volume biography of Rabbi

Avraham Mordechai Alter Avraham Mordechai Alter (, , ; 25 December 1865 – 13 June 1948), was also known as the ''Imrei Emes'' after the works he authored. He was fourth Rebbe of the Hasidic dynasty of Ger. The Ger Rebbe, from 1905 until his death in 1948. A participa ...

* ''Pe'er Yisrael: Maran Admor HaRav Yisrael MiGur Zy"a Ha"Beis Yisrael"'', (1997), three volume biography of Rabbi

Yisrael Alter Yisrael Alter (, ; October 1895 – 20 February 1977), also known as the ''Beit Yisrael'', after the works he authored, was the fifth Rebbe of the Hasidic dynasty of Ger, a position he held from 1948 until 1977. Biography Yisrael Alter was bo ...

* ''VaYechi Yosef'', 2 volume biography of Rabbi

Yosef Greenwald Yosef Greenwald (; 1903 – Brooklyn 1984) was the second Rebbe of the Pupa Hasidic dynasty. Before World War II he was a rabbi and rosh yeshiva in Pápa, Hungary. Greenwald was the son of Yaakov Yechezkiah Greenwald of Pupa and the grandson o ...

* ''BeLabat Esh'', 1984, biography of Rabbi Moshe Yechiel Epstein * ''Zecher Kedoshim: Matzevet Zikaron LeShtibel Shel Chasidei Slonim BiIr Lodz, Polin'', on the

Slonim Slonim is a town in Grodno Region, in western Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Slonim District. It is located at the junction of the Shchara and Isa (river), Isa rivers, southeast of Grodno. As of 2025, it has a population of ...

community in

Łódź Łódź is a city in central Poland and a former industrial centre. It is the capital of Łódź Voivodeship, and is located south-west of Warsaw. Łódź has a population of 655,279, making it the country's List of cities and towns in Polan ...

* ''Shoshelet Spinka'', 1990, biogrophies of the Spinka

* ''Heichal Bobov'', 1996, biographies of the Bobover rebbes * ''Geonei Polin: Chayeihem VeToratam Shel Rabbi Menachem Ziemba MePraga, Rabbi Aryeh Tzvi Frumer MeKozhiglov'', (1983) biogrophies of Polish rabbis * ''Moreshet Tchebin: Darkei Chayav UPoalo Shel Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld'', (1987/1988) biography of Rabbi

Dov Berish Weidenfeld Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld (; 1881–1965) was the Chief Rabbi of Tshebin (Trzebinia), Poland, and after World War II spent his final years in Jerusalem. His principal work of halacha, Jewish law is titled "''Dovev Meisharim''". Biography Dov ...

* ''Toldot Yehoshuah'', on Rabbi Yehoshua Spira, Rebbe of Ribatitch and Bluzhev

Other

* ''Orot MiMizrach: Toldot Ro'im Ruchni'im LeYahadut HaSepharadit'', 1974, biographies about

Sephardic Sephardic Jews, also known as Sephardi Jews or Sephardim, and rarely as Iberian Peninsular Jews, are a Jewish diaspora population associated with the historic Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and their descendant ...

rabbis * ''D'muyot Hod'', 1967, three volume series on ''

gedolim ''Gadol'' or ''godol'' (, plural: ''gedolim'' ) (literally "big" or "great" in Hebrew) is used by religious Jews to refer to the most revered rabbis of the generation. Usage The term ''gadol hador'' refers to the "great/est (one of) the generatio ...

'' * ''Toldot HaChinuch HaTorati BeTekufah HaChadashah'', history of Haredi

chinuch Jewish education (, ''Chinuch'') is the transmission of the tenets, principles, and religious laws of Judaism. Jews value education, and the value of education is strongly embedded in Jewish culture. Judaism places a heavy emphasis on Torah s ...

in the

spanning 100 years * ''Marbitzei Torah U'Mussar: BeYeshivot Nusach Lita MeTekufat Volozhin Ve'ad Yamenu'', 1976, four volumes, biographies on

Lithuanian Lithuanian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Lithuania, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe ** Lithuanian language ** Lithuanians, a Baltic ethnic group, native to Lithuania and the immediate geographical region ** L ...

Orthodox rabbis * ''Rabbi Shimon VeTorato: Korot Chayav VeShitato HaTalmudit Shel Rabbi Shimon Yehudah HaKohen Shkop'', 1971, biography of Rabbi

Shimon Shkop Shimon Yehuda Shkop (; 1860 – October 22, 1939) was Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of the Yeshiva of Telshe, and later of Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah of Grodno. Having innovated a style of Torah study, applying both to Halacha and to Talmud, he was widely r ...

* ''Ohr Elchonon: Sipur Chayav Shel Rabbi Elchanan Bunim Wasserman'', biography of Rabbi

Elchonon Wasserman Elchonon Bunim Wasserman (; ; 18746 July 1941) was a prominent rabbi and rosh yeshiva (dean) in prewar Europe. He was one of the closest students of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (the Chofetz Chaim) and a noted Talmid Chacham. In the interwar perio ...

**later translated into English by

Artscroll ArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd., a publishing company based in Rahway, New Jersey. Rabbi Nosson Scherman is the general editor. ArtScro ...

, under the name ''Reb Elchonon'' * ''VeZot LeYehudah: Mesechet Chayav VePo'alav Shel Rabbeinu HaGadol Maran Rabbi Yehudah Tzadka Ztzvk"l'', 2012, biography of Rabbi

Yehuda Tzadka Yehuda Yehoshua Tzadka (; 13 January 1910 – 20 October 1991) was a respected Sephardi rabbi and rosh yeshiva of the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He became a student in the yeshiva after his bar mitzvah, and continued to study and teach ther ...

* ''Rabbi Shimon Chassidah: Esh Yokedet'', biography of Rabbi

Shimon Sofer Shimon Sofer (; 1820–1883) was a prominent Austrian Orthodox Jewish rabbi in the 19th century. He was Chief Rabbi of Kraków, Poland after serving as Chief Rabbi of Mattersdorf. He was the second son of Rabbi Moshe Sofer (Chassam Sofer) of ...

of Erlau * ''Melech BeYofyo: Toldos Chayav, Po'alo VeDarko BeKodesh Shel Maran HaGaon Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky Ztzvk"l'', 2004, 2 volume biography of Rabbi

Yechezkel Abramsky Yehezkel Abramsky (; 7 February 1886 – 19 September 1976), also affectionately referred to as Reb Chatzkel Abramsky, was a prominent and influential Lithuanian Jewish Orthodox rabbi and scholar, born and raised in the Russian Empire, who later ...

* ''Chevlei Yotzer: Sipur Chayav UPoalo Shel Meyased Bnei-Brak Rabbi Yitzchak Gerstenkorn'', 1974, biography of Rabbi Yitzchak Gerstenkorn, one of the founders and first mayor of

Bnei Brak Bnei Brak ( ) or Bene Beraq, is a city located on the central Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean Israeli coastal plain, coastal plain in Israel, just east of Tel Aviv. A center of Haredi Judaism, Bnei Brak covers an area of 709 hectares (1,752 acre ...

* ''HaRav MiPonevezh: Toldot HaGaon HaGadol HaRav R' Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman zt"l'', 1997, biography of Rabbi

Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman (; ; , known also as the Ponevezher Rav), was an Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva (dean) of the Ponevezh Yeshiva. He was also a member of the Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel. Biography Kahaneman was born 13 ...

* ''HaChazon Ish BeDorotav: Toldot Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz'', 1983, on Rabbi

Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (; 7 November 1878 – 24 October 1953), also known as the Chazon Ish () after his magnum opus, was a Belarusian-born Orthodox rabbi who later became one of the leaders of Haredi Judaism in Israel, where he spent h ...

(the Chazon Ish) * ''Shluchah DeRachmana: Pirkei Chaim VeYetzirah Shel Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz Zt"l'', 1992, biography of Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz **Later adapted into English by Yonasan Rosenblum under the name ''Reb Shraga Feivel: The Life and Times of Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz, the Architect of Torah in America'' * ''Zuto Shel Nahar: Sipurim Nevcharim'', 1983, stories of '' Tzaddikim'' * ''Esh HaTorah'' (two volumes), on Rabbi

Aharon Kotler Aharon Kotler (February 2, 1892 – November 29, 1962) was a Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) rabbi and a prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Lithuania and in the United States, where he founded Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood Township, New Jersey. ...

Complete name: ''Esh HaTorah: Rashei Perakim Mekorot Chayav UKtzot Derachav Shel Rabbeinu HaGadol Sar HaTorah VeHaYirah HaGaon HaAmiti Raban Shel Yisrael Maran Rabbi Aharon Kotler Ztzvk"l''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sorasky, Aharon 1940 births Living people Jewish writers Bibliographers of Hebrew literature 20th-century Israeli non-fiction writers 20th-century Israeli male writers Haredi writers Israeli Hasidim