Religionיעקב אפשטיין

Yaakov Epstein

Yaakov Epstein is an Israeli rabbi and halachic decisor, known for the responsa series Hevel Nahalato and a researcher at the Torah VeHaaretz Institute.

born 1954The responsa series Hevel NahalatoResearch at Torah VeHaaretz InstituteEditing Rabbi Yaakov Ariel's responsa

Born: 9 March 1954, Sa'ad
Occupation: rabbi, Posek
Education: Mercaz HaRav Kook

Yaakov Epstein was born in 1954 in Sa'ad

Yaakov Epstein was born on March 9, 1954, and grew up in Kibbutz Sa'ad. His parents were Yehudit and Haim Menachem, and his grandfather was Professor Yaakov Nahum Epstein. His aunt was Rabbanit Sara Druckman, wife of Rabbi Haim Druckman.

He attended the Da'at elementary school and the high school at Kvutzat Yavne. He then studied at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav under Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook and Rabbi Avraham Elkana Kahana Shapira. He served in the IDF as an officer in the Golani Brigade.

He taught for a time at Yeshivat Orot HaNegev in Moshav Beit HaGadi. At the Torah VeHaaretz Institute he researches and edits Torah works. His main work is the multi-volume responsa series Hevel Nahalato, which won him the Katz Prize in 2022.

He edited the responsa series Be'ohala Shel Torah by Rabbi Yaakov Ariel and took part in new editions of works by Rabbi Kook. He also edited Torat Katif in memory of Gush Katif and published articles in journals such as Tehumin.

He lived in Moshav Keshet and in Atzmona in Gush Katif, and now lives in Shomriya. He is married to Ilana, née Weidenfeld.