Rabbi Haim David Halevy: Gentle Scholar and Courageous Thinker

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel with Rabbi Hayyim Angel

Hardcover, 239 pages
34 b/w photographs 

Rabbi Haim David Halevy (1924—1998) was one of the great rabbinic luminaries of his era. A prolific author and teacher, he was a gifted halakhic scholar, a devotee of kabbala, and a creative thinker who applied Torah wisdom to the dilemmas of modern times. From 1972 until his death, he served as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv.

Influenced by the profound and compassionate teachings of his mentor Rabbi Benzion Uziel, Rabbi Halevy represented the best in the Sephardic tradition of the Judeo-Spanish Sephardim. His monumental knowledge and keen insight were widely recognized. He won many prizes for his intellectual achievements, and in 1997 was awarded the Israel Prize by the State of Israel in appreciation of his significant contributions to Torah scholarship.

In this book, Rabbis Marc and Hayyim Angel provide an analysis of the teachings of Rabbi Halevy on a wide range of topics: confronting modernity, rabbinic responsibility and authority, metaphysical issues, questions of faith, the role of customs, Jewish education, governing the Jewish State, and more. Rabbi Halevy was a gentle, thoughtful scholar. He was also a courageous thinker who was not afraid to consider old questions in a new light, and to break new ground in the field of Torah studies. Rabbi Halevy viewed his books as his “yeshiva.” By studying this book, readers will have the special privilege of being part of Rabbi Halevy’s “yeshiva” and learning Torah from one of the great sages of modern times.

About the Authors

Dr. Marc D. Angel is Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York City (founded 1654). Author and editor of 25 books, his most recent book is Losing the Rat Race, Winning at Life (Urim, 2005). He is past President of the Rabbinical Council of America, and has won a National Jewish Book Award in the category of Jewish Thought.

Hayyim Angel is Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, where he serves together with his father. He teaches Tanakh at Yeshiva University, and has published scholarly articles in journals such as Tradition, Nahalah, Jewish Thought, and the Jewish Bible Quarterly. His articles have also appeared in several collections of essays.