HARAV AHARON LICHTENSTEIN

Renowned scholar of Jewish studies, intellectual leader and active educator, Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein’s impact on his students has benefited many communities in Israel and the world over. In the eyes of many, he is the intellectual leader of Modern Orthodoxy.

Rav Lichtenstein is a graduate of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Rabbinical Seminary of Yeshiva University in New York, where he went on to become a member of the faculty and head of its Kollel. He also studied at Harvard University, where he earned a doctorate in English literature. In l971, he immigrated to Israel, answering a call by HaRav Yehuda Amital to join him as joint Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shevut.

Students from Israel and throughout the world have been attracted to Har Etzion for the opportunity to study with Harav Lichtenstein. Due to his influence, many of the yeshiva's graduates today serve as rabbis, educators, heads of yeshivot and leaders of communities in Israel and abroad. Other graduates can be found in key positions in all areas of Israeli society.

Harav Lichtenstein's deep involvement in many educator training programs has included serving on committees dealing with Jewish education in the Diaspora, such as the Jerusalem Fellows program. His strong commitment to these educational programs is held in high regard and through his influence their development has been greatly enhanced. He is a frequent participant in educational conferences abroad and has published numerous articles dealing with various issues involving Jewish life and education. He is the author of Leaves of Faith, Volume I - The World of Jewish Learning (Ktav Publishing 2003), Leaves of Faith, Volume II – The World of Jewish Living, (Ktav Publishing 2004), and By His Light: Character and Values in the Service of God (Ktav Publishing 2003).

Harav Lichtenstein, a disciple of the Rav zt"l (Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik), perpetuates the tradition of his mentor in his commitment to intensive and original Torah study, as well as his articulation of a bold Jewish worldview which is unafraid of modernity. He is a paragon and a source of inspiration for a wide circle of Diaspora Jewry, both because of his intellectual leadership and his educational attainments.

Harav Lichtenstein has published widely in the areas of Talmudic scholarship, Jewish Philosophy, and contemporary Jewish society.

In recognition of his significant contribution to Jewish religious education in Israel and the Diaspora, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem named Rav Lichtenstein its Samuel Rothberg Prize Laureate for 1994.

He is married to Dr. Tovah nee Soloveitchik and they have six children who are all involved in Jewish Education.

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