Isidore Epstein
This article is about the distinguished rabbinical scholar. For the noted astronomer of a similar name see: Isadore Epstein (1919-1995)
Rabbi Dr. Isidore Epstein (Kovno, 1894–1962), was an Orthodox rabbi and rabbinical scholar in England, who served as the longtime principal of Jews' College, London. [1]
Ezekiel Isidore Epstein[2] was born in Kovno, Lithuania. He studied at the Pressburg Yeshiva in his youth, as well as in Paris under Rabbi Zadoc Kahn, chief rabbi of France. He received semikhah (ordination) from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and Rabbi Yisrael Chaim Daiches of Leeds, England.
Rabbi Epstein is best known for serving as the overall editor of the first complete English translation of the Babylonian Talmud, by the Soncino Press (London, 34 volumes 1935-1952). He recruited many Rabbis and scholars for the massive project, personally reviewing all of the work as it was produced, and co-ordinating the many details of notation, and transliteration of Hebrew words.
Rabbi Epstein was also an editor of Joseph H. Hertz' Pentateuch and Haftorahs (1929-1936), and editor a collection of papers (published 1935) in connection with the eighth centenary of the birth of Maimonides (b.1135), as well as being the author of numerous scholarly books relating to Judaism.
[edit] Publications
- ed. Moses Maimonides: Anglo-Jewish Papers in Connection with the Eighth Centenary of His Birth, ed. I. Epstein (London, 1935),
'The Faith of Judaism: an interpretation for our times' Rabbi Dr Isidore Epstein (London, Soncino Press, 1954)
[edit] References
- ^ Studies in the communal life of the Jews of Spain Isidore Epstein - 1968 back cover: ISIDORE EPSTEIN 1894-1962 Isidore Epstein was born in Kovno, Lithuania. He was educated in the Hungarian Yeshivot of Waitzen and Pressburg and later at Jews' College, London — the Jewish Theological Seminary of the British Commonwealth.
- ^ רב סעדיה גאון ודורנו / יחזקאל איזידור אפשטיין Rabbi Saadia Gaon and his cousin / Ezekiel Isidore Epstein
