Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan) and his Mishna Berura

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, known as the Chofetz Chaim, holds a paramount position among 20th-century gedolim. Beyond his image as a devout, humble, and visionary community leader, he is celebrated for his extensive writings, most notably the Mishna Berura. This six-volume opus, published intermittently from 1884 to 1907, continues to wield authority in Orthodox Jewish law, offering a comprehensive guide to daily religious life by synthesizing traditions, laws, and customs. However, despite his profound scholarly impact, Rabbi Kagan’s early life and influences remain mysterious. Few robust contemporary scholarly biographies have been written, and background literature, apart from commentaries on his works, especially the Mishna Berura, tends to be sparse and nearly exclusively written in Hebrew. This article likewise focuses on his scholarly and ethical works rather than delving into his personal life. Within his writings, particularly the Mishna Berura and its commentaries, Rabbi Kagan strikes a balance between traditionalism and iconoclasm, diverging from established halakhic norms. Throughout the Mishna Berura especially, Rabbi Kagan champions an innovatively pragmatic and ethical approach to daily life within the framework of Jewish law. His writings emphasize nuanced understanding, engagement, and flexibility, avoiding rigid adherence to a few principles. He does so with editorial precision, harmonizing multiple propositions and offering resolutions and recommendations while acknowledging diverse individual standards. Although scholars may vary in interpreting Rabbi Kagan’s decision-making methodology, there is no disputing that the Mishna Berura marked a significant halakhic innovation as a major historical transition was taking place for eastern European Jewry in the early twentieth century. Rabbi Kagan’s personal legacy, therefore, can be said to be one of resilience and innovation. And, though a veil of obscurity cloaks his personal life, Rabbi Kagan left a clear literary legacy that serves as a guiding light for many navigating faith amidst societal upheaval.