Nosson Tzvi Finkel (Slabodka) - Influence

Influence

During his lifetime, he molded many who would eventually become the heads (roshei yeshiva) of most of the so-called Lithuanian-style yeshivas that were established in the United States and Israel during the 20th century, and which continue to grow dramatically in the 21st century. Some of the more famous students are:

  • Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel (son of the Alter) of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Mir and Jerusalem, Israel
  • Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin of Brooklyn, New York
  • Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn, New York
  • Rabbi Avrohom Eliyahu Kaplan of Hildesheimer Rabbinical Seminary in Berlin, Germany
  • Rabbi Aaron Kotler, of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey
  • Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America in Queens
  • Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, Maryland
  • Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna, head of Chevron Yeshiva, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Rabbi Isaac Sherr, head of the Slabodka Yeshiva of Bnei Brak, Israel
  • Rabbi Elazar Shach of Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, Israel
  • Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg of Hildesheimer Rabbinical Seminary in Berlin, Germany

The Alter did not author any books or essays personally, but some of his ethical discourses were published under the name Ohr HaTzafun - "The Hidden Light", (also meaning "The Light of the Hidden (One)"). The word Ha-Tz-F-N also being the four initials of his name, but not in order ("Hirsh-Tzvi-Finkel-Nota"). The title alludes to the hidden and mysterious nature of its subject, as he used to sign his name as Hatzafun.

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