Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik served for more than forty years as the preeminent authority of centrist Orthodoxy, both as halakhic decisor and interpreter of Jewish thought and theology. In his own person he demonstrated that the ideal Torah sage is creative, open-minded, compassionate, visionary and realist, profoundly committed to the world of Torah and Jewish law, and at the same time a sophisticated modern thinker. Soloveitchik, so influential and beloved that he is called simply "the Rav" by countless Orthodox Jews, remains one of the most eloquent articulators of the intellectual underpinnings of Torah Judaism. He adroitly defended his commitment to halakha, arguing that a firm adherence to Jewish law does not preclude a rich spiritual and intellectual life. His contributions have inspired his many students and others to revisit his writings and lectures in order to better fathom his work. This collection of essays provides a panoramic view of the many vital subjects on which he held forth, and thus is a superb introduction to the work of this remarkable figure.
by Rabbi Marc D. Angel