(later, Goren). Nezer Hakodesh [novellae to Maimonides’s Hilchoth Pesulei Hamukdashin]

GORONCHIK, SHLOMO.

Jerusalem

1935

Shlomo Goren’s first work, published when he was only eighteen years old. Contains enthusiastic approbations from Chief Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer who both praise the author’s acuity and great erudition, “one of the great geniuses of the generation.” As the first head of the military Rabbinate of the Israel Defense Forces, and later the third Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel (1973-83), Goren took many bold positions, attempting to reconcile Jewish religious teachings with modern issues of state and governance. However his often uncompromising personality resulted in him becoming a polarizing and controversial figure within certain quarters of Israel.