Shlomo Yosef Zevin

Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin (Chanukah 1887 - 21 Adar I 1978) was one of the most important Chabad rabbis in Russia and the Holy Land, one of the greatest scholars in recent generations, a Chabad Chassid, head of the Chabad Rabbinical Court in the Holy Land, and editor of the Talmudic Encyclopedia.

Early Life

Rabbi Zevin was born in the town of Kazmirov in the Pinsk district in the month of Kislev 1887 to his father Rabbi Aharon Mordechai Zevin and his mother Mrs. Chaya.

In his youth, he studied with his father who was the Chabad rabbi of Kazmirov, and continued his studies at the Mir Yeshiva. He then went to study at the yeshiva of Rabbi Shmarya Noach Schneersohn of Bobruisk, from whom he also received rabbinical ordination. He also received ordination from Rabbi Yosef Rozin - the Rogatchover Gaon, and from Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, author of the Aruch HaShulchan.

In his first marriage, he married Chaya Leah, daughter of Rabbi Yosef Yaakov Levin. In his second marriage, he married Yitel, daughter of R' Yitzchak.

After his father's passing, at just seventeen years old, he was appointed as rabbi of the Kazmirov community.

In 1925, when Rabbi DZ Chen, rabbi of Chernigov, immigrated to the Holy Land, the city's residents asked Rabbi Zevin to take his place as rabbi of Chernigov. He refused, explaining that he was involved in building a mikvah in his town, and he knew that if he left, the mikvah would not be built.

Public Activity in Russia

While in Russia, he assisted the Rebbe Rayatz in various ways with activities for Russian Jewry. His underground code name was "Shir HaShirim" or "Rashi". He was considered one of the senior rabbis working for Russian Jewry, as the Rebbe described during the Sadigura Rebbe's visit: "I knew him when he was in distress in Russia, in a situation where involvement with any matter of spreading Judaism was literally dangerous, yet he was not deterred by anything and devoted himself to fulfilling the work and mission of my father-in-law the Rebbe in matters of spreading Judaism."

From 1904-1924 he served as rabbi in Kazmirov, Klimov, Maglin and Novozibkov.

From 1924-1934 he was secretary of the 'Spiritual Rabbinical Center' of Russian Jewry.

In 1918, during the revolution period when there was briefly a democratic government, he was appointed as a member of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev.

In 1919 he was appointed as a member of the Jewish National Council in Ukraine. In 1920 he became a member and secretary of the Jewish National Assembly in Ukraine.

During Communist rule, he was secretary of the Rabbinical Assembly in Koroston. In 1921 he published a Torah journal in Russia called "Yagdil Torah". After some time the publication ceased, and in 1928 he reissued the collection together with Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky, rabbi of Slutsk.

In Kiev he edited the political collection "Achdut".

Relations with the Rebbe Rayatz

In Cheshvan 1927, the Rebbe Rayatz opened a conference of Soviet Russian rabbis and appointed Rabbi Zevin as secretary of the conference. Rabbi Zevin spoke at the conference about the state of Jewish communities throughout Russia, and was also honored with closing it.

Before the Rebbe's departure from Russia in 24 Tishrei 1928, the Rebbe established a staff of four rabbis who worked together with him in spreading Judaism. Rabbi Zevin was among these rabbis. The Rebbe continued to provide financial support to the staff even after leaving the country.

When the Rebbe was arrested in 1927, they sent a telegram to Rabbi Zevin from the Rebbe's house, and to avoid getting him into trouble, they wrote in the telegram that "the uncle was taken to the hospital." Rabbi Zevin sent a blessing telegram back, and signed with the first name: Baruch, and surname: Matir Asurim (One who frees prisoners). The Rebbe greatly enjoyed this invention and praised it several times afterward. When the Rebbe was released on 12 Tammuz, they sent another telegram that "the uncle was released."

On Tisha B'Av 1927, he made a visit to the Rebbe Rayatz. The visit lasted six hours, during which the Rebbe told him the entire story of his imprisonment, with the intention that Rabbi Zevin would write down what he heard, but ultimately this did not materialize and the Rebbe wrote the prison account himself.

In 1929-1930, when the Rebbe visited the United States to raise money for Soviet Jews, Rabbi Zevin sent a letter describing the state of religion in the Soviet Union. The letter was then printed in a Yiddish newspaper that appeared in Chicago.

Over the years, the Rebbe Rayatz repeatedly asked him to send him the Chassidic stories he had collected and compiled, and even made various corrections to some of the stories.

His Acquaintance with the Rebbe

During the period when the marriage proposal between the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin was raised, the Rebbe Rayatz asked him to discuss Torah matters with the intended groom. The conversation between the Rebbe and Rabbi Zevin lasted all night during a train journey. Rabbi Zevin was very impressed with his genius and reported his impression to the Rebbe Rayatz.

About twenty-five years later, after the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz in 1950, he was among the first to sign the letter of connection to the Rebbe.

Although he never traveled to the Rebbe himself, he was very interested in all that was happening in Beit Chayeinu (770). When Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Heilperin traveled to the Rebbe, they agreed that he would tell him about his experiences. Immediately upon his arrival in Israel, they met and shared the experiences.

Departure from Russia and Immigration to Israel

Many efforts were made to get Rabbi Zevin out of the Soviet Union. The Rebbe Rayatz himself showed great involvement in the matter and wrote letters to Rabbi Kook requesting help in getting him out of Russia.

In 1934, Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky (who already served as rabbi of London) redeemed him from the Soviets for a large sum of money. Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski wrote about his arrival "a lion has risen from Babylon."

Upon his immigration to the Holy Land in 7 Tammuz 1934, he settled in Tel Aviv, and shortly afterward was appointed to serve as rabbi of the Chabad community, effectively becoming the first Chabad rabbi in the city.

He served as spokesman for the rabbis of Russia, many of whom had immigrated to Israel, and worked extensively to encourage rabbis and public figures to help the Rebbe Rayatz in the physical and spiritual rescue of Soviet Jewry.

He regularly wrote articles in "HaBoker" and in the Orthodox weekly "HaYesod", among other things about Jews and Judaism in Soviet Russia. When the newspaper "HaTzofeh" was founded, he regularly wrote a review column on new Torah books that were published.

Jerusalem Period

In the month of Menachem Av 1937, he received the Rebbe Rayatz's consent to accept a position as a Talmud teacher at the Mizrachi Teachers and Rabbis Seminary in Jerusalem, and moved his residence there, where he lived until his last day.

After the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz on 10 Shevat 1950, Rabbi Zevin together with his friends Rabbi Chaim Na'eh and Rabbi Avraham Chen worked extensively on the matter of the Rebbe's acceptance of leadership.

While living in Jerusalem, he was appointed as a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, published many articles and Torah innovations in the Orthodox, Torah, and general press, and maintained close relations with the Rebbe. He received encouragement from the Rebbe for all his books and was the Rebbe's representative in all matters relating to the President of Israel, Mr. Shazar. In 1960, he received the Israel Prize for Literature.

Rabbi Zevin was a partner in founding and even taught for a period at the Chen circles for Chabad philosophy.

In Jerusalem, he also began editing the "Talmudic Encyclopedia", and was the chief editor of the series until his passing on 21 Adar II 1978.

After his passing, in the month of Tishrei 1980, his wife visited the Rebbe and was amazed by the special atmosphere. When she entered into private audience with the Rebbe at the end of the month, she told the Rebbe that it was a shame her husband didn't merit to be with the Rebbe, and the Rebbe gave her an answer implying that he was indeed present spiritually.

Establishment of the Chabad Rabbinical Court

On 22 Menachem Av 1976, the Rebbe requested to establish the Committee of Chabad Rabbis in the Holy Land to serve as a general rabbinical framework for Chabad rabbis in Israel. The Rebbe instructed that Rabbi Zevin should stand as head of the court, and he held this position until his passing in 1978.

The Talmudic Encyclopedia

Rabbi Zevin founded the Talmudic Encyclopedia project together with Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan in 1942. In this framework, he prepared the list of entries and sub-entries and established the writing method and style of the encyclopedia. He edited the twelve volumes that were published during his lifetime.

The Talmudic Encyclopedia was the crown jewel of his works. From the time he began working on its writing and editing, Rabbi Zevin devoted himself to it almost completely and it became his life's work during his last thirty-five years.

His great fame and the high esteem he received led to significant pressure from all segments of the public for him to present his candidacy for the position of Chief Rabbi of Israel after the passing of Chief Rabbi Herzog in 1959. Despite this, he firmly refused. One of the reasons for his refusal was the Talmudic Encyclopedia. He recognized its importance and knew that if he took the position of Chief Rabbi, he would not be able to continue editing it.

His Family

Children:

• Mrs. Shoshana
• Rabbi Aharon Zevin

Grandchildren:

• Rabbi Nachum Zevin - Rabbi of Kiryat Eliyahu neighborhood, Haifa

His Books

Besides the Talmudic Encyclopedia, most of his books are collections of articles that were published by him in various journals over the years and were gathered under one roof.

• Talmudic Encyclopedia - As of 2023, the series includes 49 volumes. Rabbi Zevin wrote the first 12 volumes (published during his lifetime) and prepared the list of entries for all subsequent volumes.
• Authors and Books (3 volumes) - Reviews of various Torah books (including the Rebbe's Haggadah)
• Personalities and Methods - Learning methods of yeshiva heads from the last century
• The Festivals in Halacha - Halachic topics in the yearly festivals
• By the Light of Halacha - Various topics in halacha
• Chassidic Stories (3 volumes) - Collection of Chassidic stories from Chabad leaders and Polish Rebbes
• For Torah and Festivals - Sayings and ideas for the weekly Torah portion