# Samuel Soloveichik

Dr. Samuel (Shmuel Yaakov) Soloveichik (1909 – February 25, 1967) was an Orthodox Jewish chemist and talmudist.

## Early life

Born in Pruzhany, Samuel Soloveichik was the second son of Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik. He was the brother of rabbis Joseph Soloveitchik (1903-1993) and Ahron Soloveichik (1917-2001). He had two sisters, Mrs. Shulamith Meiselman (1912-2009), and Mrs. Anne Gerber (1915-2011).
After engaging in talmudic studies with his father, Soloveichik studied mathematics and science. In 1934 he received a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Brussels, graduating magnum cum laude. In 1939 he emigrated to the United States. During the Second World War Soloveichik worked as a research chemist for the Board of Chemical Warfare and the Board of Economic Warfare.

## Career

In 1950, he received a Research Fellowship at Yeshiva University becoming Lecturer in Chemistry in the University's Chemistry Department in 1953. From 1959 until his death he was Associate Professor of Chemistry. He was also a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In a paper published in 1966, Soloveichik proposed a means of classifying aliphatic compounds similar to the periodic table. Prior to publishing the paper he discussed its contents with the chemist Linus Pauling in August–September 1955.
Soloveichik was an expert and frequently lectured and wrote in the field of the History of Chemistry. In a series of papers he attributed the premature deaths or illnesses of the chemists Joseph Priestley, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, Humphry Davy, William Cruickshank (chemist) and James Woodhouse to chemical poisoning.
In lectures at Yeshiva University Soloveichik discussed the relationship between science and Torah with regard to issues such as the age of the earth and whether the earth orbits the sun or vice versa.

## Death

Soloveichik died aged 58 on February 25, 1967, at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York. He was survived by his wife Bathsheba Ziv, a teacher at the Beis Yaakov-Beis Miriam High School in the Bronx, and his four siblings. His older brother Joseph Ber delivered a brief eulogy at his funeral, as did Yeshiva University President, Dr. Samuel Belkin. The main eulogy, lasting close to two hours, was delivered by his younger brother, Ahron.
The Dr. Samuel Soloveichik Prize in Natural Science was established at Yeshiva University in his memory.

## Brisker Family Tree

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) :

## Articles

* "The Last Fight for Phlogiston and the Death of Priestley," J. Chem. Educ. 39 (1962), pp. 644–646
* "Hidden Danger In the Lab", Chem. Eng. News, 41(37), (1963), p. 178
* "Toxicity: Killer of great chemists?," J. Chem. Educ., 41 (5),(1964), p. 282
* and Henry Krakauer "Oxidation stages of organic aliphatic compounds: A classification scheme" J. Chem. Educ. 43 (10) 1966, p. 532
* and Henry Krakauer, "Alfred Werner," in Werner Centennial: A Symposium, ed. George B. Kauffman (Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society), pp. 3–7

## Patents

* 'Method for Preparing Formic Esters', (US Patent 2617821, November 11, 1952)
* 'Process for the Production of Nitrous Esters' (Serial No. 438,325, August 2, 1955)