Solomon Hirschell

Solomon Hirschell, engraving

Rabbi Solomon Hirschell (12 February 1762, London – 31 October 1842, London) was the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, 1802-42. He is best remembered for his unsuccessful attempt to stop the spread of Reform Judaism in Britain by excommunicating its leaders.

His name is also spelt Hirschel and Herschell.

His father was a Polish Jew from Galicia, Hirschel Levin, Chief Rabbi of London and Berlin and a friend of Moses Mendelssohn. His older brother was the Talmudist Saul Berlin.

References

• "Solomon Hirschel - High Priest of the Jews"
• History of the Great Synagogue, Cecil Roth, Chapter XIII:Rabbi Solomon Hirschell and his contemporaries (Susser archive)
• Rubinstein, Hilary L. (2004). "Hirschell , Solomon (1762–1842)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/13363. Retrieved 2011-12-09.  (subscription or UK public library membership required)
• The British Chief Rabbinate