Yitzchak Eizik Halevi Epstein was a rabbi and scholar associated with the

Chabad Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (; ; ), is a dynasty in Hasidic Judaism. Belonging to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) branch of Orthodox Judaism, it is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, as well as one of ...

Hassidic movement. He served as the rabbi of the Chabad community in

Homel Gomel (, ) or Homyel (, ) is a city in south-eastern Belarus. It serves as the administrative centre of Gomel Region and Gomel District, though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2025, it is the second-largest city in ...

White Russia White Russia, White Russian, or Russian White may refer to: White Russia *White Ruthenia, a historical reference for a territory in the eastern part of present-day Belarus * An archaic literal translation for Belarus/Byelorussia/Belorussia * Rus ...

. In the Chabad community, he is known as Reb Aizel Homiler (or Reb Eizik Homiler).

History

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Epstein was born in 1770 and joined the Chabad Hassidic movement during the lifetime of the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi

Schneur Zalman of Liadi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, (; September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O.S. / 18 Elul 5505 – 24 Tevet 5573) commonly known as the Alter Rebbe or Baal Hatanya, was a rabbi and the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad, a branch of Hasidic Judaism. H ...

. Rabbi Epstein later served as the

Av Beth Din The ''av beit din'' (), abbreviated ( ''avad''), was the second-highest-ranking member of the Sanhedrin during the Second Temple period and served as an assistant to the nasi. The av beit din was known as the "Master of the Court;" he was consid ...

in White Russia for over 50 years. Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was a leading Hassidic figure during the first three generations of Chabad Hassidism. He authored a number of works on the subject of

Chabad philosophy Chabad philosophy comprises the teachings of the leaders of Chabad-Lubavitch, a Hasidic movement. Chabad Hasidic philosophy focuses on religious concepts such as God, the soul, and the meaning of the Jewish commandments. Teachings are often draw ...

including ''Sh'tei HaMeorot'' (Brooklyn, 1971) and ''Chanah Ariel'' (Berditchov, 1912).Gurary, Eliyahu, Yochanan
''Toldot Yitzchak Eizik HaLevi Epstein''
Kehot Publication Society. 1987. Accessed April 23, 2014."Lot 204: Judaica: Letter from Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Epstein of Homel."
''Invaluable.com''. September 7, 2009. Accessed April 23, 2014.

Family

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik's father was Rabbi Mordechai Halevi Epstein. His grandfather was Rabbi Dovid Halevi Epstein, chief rabbi of

Lutsk Lutsk (, ; see #Names and etymology, below for other names) is a city on the Styr River in northwestern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Volyn Oblast and the administrative center of Lutsk Raion within the oblast. Lutsk has a populati ...

. Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik had one son, Yaakov Yosef.

Rabbi of Homel

In 1805 Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was appointed as rabbi of the Hassidic community in Homel. He held the position for over 50 years, until his death in 1857. Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was also head of the

yeshiva A yeshiva (; ; pl. , or ) is a traditional Jewish educational institution focused on the study of Rabbinic literature, primarily the Talmud and halacha (Jewish law), while Torah and Jewish philosophy are studied in parallel. The stu ...

in Homel, as well the

kollel A kollel (also kolel) (, , , , a "gathering" or "collection" f scholars is an institute for full-time, advanced Torah study, study of the Talmud and rabbinic literature. Like a yeshiva, a kollel features Shiur (Torah), shiurim (lectures) and ...

Works

*''Maamer Sh'tei HaMeorot'' (Brooklyn, 1971) *''Chanah Ariel'' commentary on the Pentateuch (Berditchov, 1912) *''Maamer Yetzias Mitzraim'' (Vilna 1877) *''Maamer Hashiflus V'hasimcha'' (Warsaw, 1868)

References

External links