‘Arukh Ha-shulḥan (Yeḥiel Mikhl Epstein)

Born in Bobruisk in the Russian Empire (today in Belarus), Yeḥiel Mikhl Epstein had a traditional education (his father was a ritual scribe and teacher) before marrying Mikhlah Berlin, the sister of Naphtali Tsvi Yehudah Berlin (the Netsiv). In 1855, despite his mitnagdic background, Epstein was appointed to the rabbinical court of the Chabad Hasidic town of Novozybkov (today in Russia), where he worked with the Tsemaḥ Tsedek (1789–1866), the third Lubavitcher rebbe. In 1883, he became the chief rabbi of Novardok (Novogrudok, Navahrudak; today Belarus), as well as a posek (halakhic decisor) of broader authority. He is known by his most popular work, the ‘Arukh ha-shulḥan (1883–1903), a code of Jewish law in the order of the Shulḥan ‘arukh (1563). The ‘Arukh ha-shulḥan is considered one of the most authoritative works of Jewish law in ultra-Orthodox communities.