The Unbroken Chain of Torah Tradition from Moses to Today
The Divine Revelation
Moshe Rabbeinu
Moses
משה רבנו
c. 1393-1273 BCE
Received the Torah directly from God at Mount Sinai. The greatest prophet and teacher of Israel, who transmitted the Written and Oral Torah to the Jewish people.
The Conquest Generation
Leader of Israel
Joshua
יהושע בן נון
c. 1355-1245 BCE
Moses' devoted student and successor. Led the conquest of the Land of Israel and continued the transmission of Torah law.
Torah Scholars
The Elders
הזקנים
c. 1273-1050 BCE
The 70 elders who received tradition from Moses and Joshua, preserving and teaching Torah law during the early settlement period.
The Period of Judges
Judges & Leaders
The Judges
השופטים
c. 1245-1020 BCE
Including Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and Samuel. Spiritual and political leaders who maintained Torah tradition during turbulent times.
Kings and Prophets
Prophet & Judge
Samuel
שמואל הנביא
c. 1070-1012 BCE
The last judge and first of the great prophets. Anointed Saul and David as kings and established schools of prophets.
King & Psalmist
King David
דוד המלך
c. 1040-970 BCE
United the kingdom of Israel, composed many Psalms, and prepared for the building of the Temple. A key link in messianic tradition.
King & Sage
King Solomon
שלמה המלך
c. 990-931 BCE
Built the First Temple, wrote much of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Known for his wisdom and judicial insight.
The Literary Prophets
Major Prophet
Isaiah
ישעיהו הנביא
c. 765-681 BCE
Prophesied during the reigns of four kings of Judah. His prophecies include detailed messianic visions and comfort for Israel.
Major Prophet
Jeremiah
ירמיהו הנביא
c. 655-570 BCE
Witnessed the destruction of the First Temple. His prophecies warned of exile but also promised future redemption.
Major Prophet
Ezekiel
יחזקאל הנביא
c. 622-570 BCE
Prophesied during the Babylonian exile. His visions include the divine chariot and the future restored Temple.
The Return from Exile
Scribe & Leader
Ezra the Scribe
עזרא הסופר
c. 480-440 BCE
Led the return from Babylonian exile and reconstituted Jewish religious life. Established public Torah reading and the square Hebrew script.
Torah Scholars
Men of Great Assembly
אנשי כנסת הגדולה
c. 515-332 BCE
A body of 120 Torah scholars who canonized the biblical books, established many prayers and blessings, and bridged the prophetic and rabbinic eras.
The Rabbinic Era Begins
Tannaitic Sages
Hillel & Shammai
הלל ושמאי
c. 30 BCE - 10 CE
The most famous pair of early Tannaitic sages. Their schools (Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai) debated many fundamental halakhic questions.
Nasi
Rabban Gamliel
רבן גמליאל
c. 10-50 CE
Head of the Sanhedrin and leader of the Jewish community. Grandfather of the more famous Rabban Gamliel of Yavneh.
After the Temple's Destruction
Tanna
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai
רבי יוחנן בן זכאי
c. 1-80 CE
Escaped Jerusalem during the siege and established the academy at Yavneh, ensuring Torah study continued after the Temple's destruction.
Tanna
Rabbi Akiva
רבי עקיבא
c. 50-135 CE
One of the greatest Tannaitic sages, developed systematic methods of Torah interpretation and taught 24,000 students. Martyred by Romans.
Redactor of Mishnah
Rabbi Judah HaNasi
רבי יהודה הנשיא
c. 135-217 CE
Compiled and edited the Mishnah, the foundational text of Oral Torah. Known simply as "Rabbi" due to his preeminence.
The Amoraic Period
Babylonian Amoraim
Rav & Shmuel
רב ושמואל
c. 180-254 CE
First generation Babylonian Amoraim who established the great academies of Sura and Nehardea, centers of Torah learning for centuries.
Redactor of Talmud
Rav Ashi
רב אשי
c. 352-427 CE
Began the compilation of the Babylonian Talmud, organizing centuries of rabbinic discussion and analysis of the Mishnah.
Post-Talmudic Period
Savoraim
The Savoraim
הסבוראים
c. 500-650 CE
Completed the editing of the Babylonian Talmud and added final clarifications and explanatory passages.
Gaon
Rav Saadia Gaon
רב סעדיה גאון
882-942 CE
Head of Sura Academy, translated the Torah into Arabic, wrote philosophical works defending Judaism against Karaites and other challenges.
Gaon
Rav Hai Gaon
רב האי גאון
939-1038 CE
Last great Gaon of Pumbedita, answered thousands of halakhic questions from communities across the Jewish world, bridging to the Rishonic period.
Early Rishonim
Commentator
Rashi
רש"י
1040-1105 CE
Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki. His commentaries on Torah and Talmud are fundamental to Jewish study. Made Talmud accessible to students worldwide.
Posek
The Rif
הרי"ף
1013-1103 CE
Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi. Compiled practical halakha from the Talmud, creating the first major post-Talmudic code of Jewish law.
Commentators
Tosafot
תוספות
1100-1300 CE
Rashi's descendants and students who wrote critical commentaries on the Talmud, developing sophisticated methods of textual analysis.
Classical Rishonim
Codifier & Philosopher
The Rambam
הרמב"ם
1135-1204 CE
Maimonides. Wrote the Mishneh Torah, a complete code of Jewish law, and the Guide for the Perplexed. The greatest medieval Jewish philosopher.
Commentator & Kabbalist
The Ramban
הרמב"ן
1194-1270 CE
Nachmanides. Torah commentator, Talmudist, and mystic. Defended Judaism in the Disputation of Barcelona and moved to the Land of Israel.
Posek
The Rosh
הרא"ש
1250-1327 CE
Rabbi Asher ben Yechiel. Leading Ashkenazi posek who moved to Spain, bridging Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions. Authored major halakhic works.
Late Rishonim
Codifier
The Tur
הטור
1270-1340 CE
Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher, son of the Rosh. Wrote the Arba'ah Turim, a comprehensive code that became the foundation for the Shulchan Aruch.
Commentator
The Ran
הר"ן
1320-1380 CE
Rabbi Nissim ben Reuven. Leading Spanish Talmudist and halakhist, wrote important commentaries on the Rif and responsa.
Posek
The Rivash
הריב"ש
1326-1408 CE
Rabbi Yitzchak bar Sheshet. Major Sephardi posek during the difficult period before the Spanish expulsion, answered over 500 halakhic questions.
Early Achronim
Codifier
Rabbi Yosef Karo
רבי יוסף קארו
1488-1575 CE
Author of the Shulchan Aruch, the definitive code of Jewish law still used today. Also wrote the Beit Yosef, an exhaustive commentary on the Tur.
Posek
The Rama
הרמ"א
1520-1572 CE
Rabbi Moshe Isserles. Added Ashkenazi customs and rulings to the Shulchan Aruch in his work called the Mapah (Tablecloth).
Kabbalist
The Arizal
האר"י ז"ל
1534-1572 CE
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria. Revolutionary Kabbalist who developed Lurianic Kabbalah, fundamentally transforming Jewish mystical thought and practice.
Classical Achronim
Commentator
The Shach
הש"ך
1621-1662 CE
Rabbi Shabtai HaKohen. Wrote critical commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, establishing fundamental principles of halakhic decision-making.
Commentator
The Taz
הט"ז
1586-1667 CE
Rabbi David HaLevi Segal. Another fundamental commentator on the Shulchan Aruch, often cited alongside the Shach in halakhic discussions.
Posek
Magen Avraham
מגן אברהם
1633-1683 CE
Rabbi Avraham Gombiner. Authoritative commentary on Orach Chaim, particularly influential in matters of prayer and holiday observance.
18th Century Giants
Hasidic Founder
The Baal Shem Tov
הבעל שם טוב
1698-1760 CE
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer. Founded the Hasidic movement, emphasizing joy, spirituality, and the service of God through everyday activities.
Gaon
The Vilna Gaon
הגר"א
1720-1797 CE
Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman. The greatest Talmudic scholar of his generation, leader of the Mitnagdim, and commentator on virtually all Jewish texts.
Posek & Hasidic Leader
The Alter Rebbe
האדמו"ר הזקן
1745-1812 CE
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. Founded Chabad Hasidism, wrote the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch HaRav, bridging Hasidic spirituality and legal scholarship.
19th Century Gedolim
Posek & Rosh Yeshiva
Chatam Sofer
חתם סופר
1762-1839 CE
Rabbi Moshe Sofer. Leading opponent of religious reform, head of Pressburg Yeshiva, authored thousands of responsa defending Orthodox tradition.
Rabbi & Educator
Rabbi S.R. Hirsch
רש"ר הירש
1808-1888 CE
Founder of Torah im Derech Eretz philosophy, combining strict Orthodox observance with engagement in general culture and education.
Posek & Ethicist
Chofetz Chaim
חפץ חיים
1838-1933 CE
Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan. Authored works on speech ethics, laws of the Temple, and everyday halakha. Founded the Radun Yeshiva.
20th Century Gedolei Yisrael
Posek
Chazon Ish
חזון איש
1878-1953 CE
Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz. Leading halakhic authority in pre-state and early Israel, known for his sharp analytical mind and practical rulings.
Chief Rabbi
Rav Kook
הרב קוק
1865-1935 CE
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. First Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Palestine, mystic and philosopher who saw holiness in secular Zionism.
Rosh Yeshiva & Philosopher
The Rav
הרב
1903-1993 CE
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Leading Modern Orthodox thinker, longtime Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS, authored "Halakhic Man" and other philosophical works.
Contemporary Gedolim
Posek Hador
Rav Elyashiv
רב אלישיב
1910-2012 CE
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Widely considered the leading halakhic authority of his generation, answered thousands of contemporary halakhic questions.
Hasidic Leader
The Lubavitcher Rebbe
הרבי מליובאוויטש
1902-1994 CE
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, transformed Chabad into a global movement, emphasized Jewish outreach and education.
Living Tradition
Contemporary Sages
גדולי הדור
Present Day
The mesorah continues today through living gedolim, roshei yeshiva, poskim, and tzaddikim who carry forward the unbroken chain from Sinai.