# Chaim Soloveitchik

Chaim (Halevi) Soloveitchik (Yiddish: חיים סאָלאָווייטשיק, Polish: Chaim Sołowiejczyk), also known as Chaim Brisker (1853 – 30 July 1918), was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar credited as the founder of the Brisker method of Talmudic study within Judaism. He was also a member of the Soloveitchik dynasty, the son of Yosef Dov Soloveitchik.
He is also known as the Gra"ch (Hebrew: גר״ח), an abbreviation of "HaGaon Reb Chaim."

## Biography

Soloveitchik was born in Volozhin on March 25, 1853, where his father, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik was a lecturer in the Volozhiner Yeshiva. The family moved away from Volozhin, and after a few years his father was appointed as a rabbi in Slutsk, where Chaim was first educated.
He joined the faculty of the Volozhiner Yeshiva in 1880, and later became assistant rosh yeshiva for a short time, until the Russian Empire forced the yeshiva to close, when he moved to Brisk, Belarus and succeeded his father as the rabbi there.
He died on July 30, 1918 after seeking medical treatment in Warsaw and was buried in the Jewish Cemetery there.

## Works

He is considered the founder of the "Brisker method" (in Yiddish: Brisker derech; Hebrew: derekh brisk), a method of highly exacting and analytical Talmudical study that focuses on precise definition/s and categorization/s of Jewish law as commanded in the Torah. His works would have particular emphasis on the legal writings of Maimonides.
Soloveitchik's primary work was Chiddushei Rabbeinu Chaim, a volume of insights on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah which often would suggest novel understandings of the Talmud as well. Based on his teachings and lectures, his students wrote down his insights on the Talmud known as Chiddushi HaGRaCh Al Shas. This book is known as "Reb Chaim's stencils" and contains analytical insights into Talmudic topics.

## Views

Soloveitchik worked with Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, the fifth rebbe of the hasidic dynasty of Lubavitch, in counteracting antisemitic decrees by the czarist regime. He expanded the definition of who represented Amalek, claiming that all who sought to destroy the Jewish people were ideological descendants of the Jewish enemy.
Soloveitchik was an opponent of Zionism and viewed it as a movement to destroy traditional Judaism and replace it with nationalism.

## Family

A member of the Soloveitchik-family rabbinical dynasty, he is commonly known as Reb Chaim Brisker ("Rabbi Chaim [from] Brisk").
He married the daughter of Refael Shapiro, who was also the granddaughter of Berlin. Reb Chaim had four children, R. Yisrael Gershon, R. Moshe, Sara (Glickson), and R. Yitchak Zev (also known as Rabbi Velvel Soloveitchik). R. Moshe moved to the United States and subsequently served as a rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Yitzchak Elchonon (YU/RIETS) in New York and who was in turn succeeded by his sons Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903–1993) and Ahron Soloveichik (1917-2001). R. Yitzchak Zev moved to Israel and his sons led prominent yeshivas.
vteBrisker family tree :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | | | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | | | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | | | | | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | | | | | | | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | | | | |
| Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | | | | | | | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | | | | | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | | | | | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | | | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | | | | | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | | | | | | | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | | | | | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | | | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | | | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | | | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes:
Rabbi Chaim Halevi Soloveichik (the second) :