Chofetz Chaim

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"The Chofetz Chaim" or Chafetz Chaim or Hafetz Hayim (Hebrew: חָפֵץ חַיִּים, Seeker/Desirer [of] Life) is the name by which the Orthodox Jewish rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan is popularly known. The name is taken from the title of his magnum opus, the book Chafetz Chaim.

Chafetz Chaim is about the mitzvot relating to correct speech and the prohibitions of slander. The Hebrew words "Chofetz Chaim" ("desirer of life") are taken from Psalms 34:12–15. "Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of God. Who is the man that desires life; who loves days, that he may see goodness [during them]? Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit; turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it." [1]

A number of institutions are named after the Chofetz Chaim, many of which are also known in shortened form simply as "Chofetz Chaim."

• The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, an American organization dedicated to spreading the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim.
• The Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America, a major yeshiva in Queens, New York named for the Chofetz Chaim.
• Chafetz Chaim (kibbutz), the name of an Orthodox kibbutz.

The Chofetz Chaim was born in Zhetel, Lithuania on February 6, 1838 and died at the age of 95 in 1933. He was taught until age 10 by his parents and then he was moved to Vilna to further his Jewish studies. Refusing the pulpit rabbinate, the Chofetz Chaim settled in Radin (Lithuania) and made his living off a small grocery store which his wife managed and he did the "bookkeeping"-watching every penny to make sure that no one was cheated. He spent his days learning Torah and promulagating his amazing knowledge to fellow Jews.

As his reputation grew, students from all over Europe came to learn from him and by 1869 his house became known as the "Radin Yeshiva." In addition to spreading Torah through his Yeshiva, the Chofetz Chaim was very active in Jewish causes. He traveled extensively to encourage the keeping of the commandments amongst Jews. He was one of the founders of Agudat Yisrael--the religious Jewish organizaion of the world.

The Chofetz Chaim's greatest achiechvement is the 21 sefarim (holy books) which he wrote and published. His first work was called Sefer Chofetz Chaim (1873) and it was the the first attempt to to organize and codify the laws regarding lashon hara (evil talk) and gossip. Probably his greatest legacy is found within "The Mishnah Brurah" (1894-1907), his commentary on the Daily Laws of a Jew. It has become popular to such an extent that it is usually found in many Jewish homes and is accepted universally to decide Halacha.

[edit] External links

• Chofetz Chaim Daily Calendar - a widely used schedule for reading the book.