Yitzchak Eizik Epstein

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Epstein was born in 1770 and joined the Chabad Hassidic movement during the lifetime of the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. Rabbi Epstein later served as the Av Beth Din in Homel in White Russia for over 50 years. Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was a leading Hassidic figure during the first three generations of Chabad Hassidism. He authored a number of works on the subject of Chabad philosophy including Sh'tei HaMeorot (Brooklyn, 1971) and Chanah Ariel (Berditchov, 1912).^[1][2][3][4]

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik's father was Rabbi Mordechai Halevi Epstein. His grandfather was Rabbi Dovid Halevi Epstein, chief rabbi of Lutsk. Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik had one son, Yaakov Yosef.^[3]

In 1805 Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was appointed as rabbi of the Hassidic community in Homel. He held the position for over 50 years, until his death in 1857. Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik was also head of the yeshiva in Homel, as well the kollel.^[3]

• Maamer Sh'tei HaMeorot (Brooklyn, 1971)
• Chanah Ariel commentary on the Pentateuch (Berditchov, 1912)
• Maamer Yetzias Mitzraim (Vilna 1877)
• Maamer Hashiflus V'hasimcha (Warsaw, 1868)

• Hillel Paritcher, a contemporary of Rabbi Epstein