Chaim Tchernowitz

Chaim Tchernowitz (1871-1949), also known by his pen name Rav Tzair, was a Russian-American rabbi, author, teacher, and publicist.

Early life He was born in the town of Sebezh, in western Russia. His brother, Samuel Tchernowitz, eventually became a notable journalist and Zionist activist.

In his youth Chaim Tchernowitz was a child prodigy, and studied with his grandfather, who was rabbi of the town. In addition to his religious studies, he enthusiastically studied leading secular works of the time, such as those by Darwin and Tolstoy. where he obtained rabbinical ordination from Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor in 1896. He became well known for a eulogy he gave on the occasion of Rabbi Spektor's death. where he became the rabbi of the city. This institution attracted figures including Hayyim Nahman Bialik, Joseph Klausner, Decision in the dispute of one and many (1911) Tikkun Shabbat (1900), regarding the eruv in Odessa

The contemporary scholar Micha Josef Berdyczewski praised his work as follows:

His writings also include two collections of political essays: In the gates of Zion: a collection of articles regarding the land of Israel and Zionism (1937), including many polemic articles Birthpangs of redemption: a collection of articles on the struggle for rebirth of the state of Israel (1949)

His more personal writings include: Chapters of life: an autobiography (1954) Tractate of memories: characters and evaluations (1945), describing the rabbis and famous personalities who he had encountered in his life.