The Pillar of Volozhin

Volozhin was the leading yeshiva in 19th century Lithuania, andRabbi Berlin (1816-1893) or Neziv as he is known today, headed itduring its heyday and decline. Following socio-biographicalbackground, Perl (Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshivaof the South, Memphis, Tennessee) focuses on his heretoforeunstudied early writing on the rabbinic compilation of halakhicmidrash known as Sifre, later published as Emek ha-Neziv. Appendices include emendations to Sifre Ekev,selections from Hayyim Berlin's "Letter on Education, 1902,"comments on Radal's unattributed influence on his later work, andthe differing genre of Sifre and Neziv's commentary on Torah.The book is based on the author's doctoral thesis at Harvard University in Near Eastern languages and civilizations. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Gil Perl (PhD Harvard University) is the Dean of the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, a Prek-12 private school serving the Jewish community of Memphis. He has earned rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University and sits on the editorial board of Ha-Yedion, RAVSAK’s journal of Jewish education, as well as the advisory council of the Institute for University-School Partnership at Yeshiva University.