The Chafetz Chaim

The life and works of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin.Few leaders so capture the imagination of their people that their reputations, even their legends, continue to grow generations after they are gone. The Chafetz Chaim -- Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of tiny Radin, Poland -- was such a man. He transcended titles, movements, regions, factionalism. Revered by all, he was consumed by two loves: for his Maker and for his people. He lived for nearly a hundred productive, selfless years, and during that time he was teacher and guide to four generations. Scholars respected him as a phenomenal sage, gnarled laborers regarded him as a witty friend and neighbor, indigent students loved him as a surrogate father. He died in 1933, but his imprint on Jewish posterity intensifies steadily. Halachist, Talmudist, ethicist, educator, leader, author, innovator, diplomat, saint -- the Chafetz Chaim did so many things so well that the range of his activity and achievement is mind-boggling. For