About Page

Born and raised in Elizabeth, N.J., Rabbi Moshe D. Lichtman, studied in several Yeshivot in Israel, including Beit Midrash LeTorah, the Gruss Kollel, Sha’alvim, and the Meretz Kollel in Mevaseret Tzion.

He received rabbinic ordination (semichah) from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He also holds an MS in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Institute.

Rabbi Lichtman made aliyah in 1991 and has taught in several post high school programs in Israel ever since. These include the Mevaseret Institutions, Be’er Miriam, and Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah. (His direct, personal influence reaches far beyond that, however, as he lectures in almost all of the yeshivot and seminaries at least once a year.) He currently resides in Beit Shemesh with his wife and eight children.

His “claim to fame,” however, is undoubtedly his literary contribution to the Jewish world. Thanks to his efforts, the broader audience of English-speakers worldwide can now benefit from the teachings of such major works as Eim HaBanim Semeichah (a vital manuscript on Jewish redemption and unity, as poignant today as when it was penned seventy years ago), An Angel Among Men (a biography of Israel’s first Chief Rabbi, Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaKohen Kook zt”l), A Question of Redemption (a multi-faceted look at the religious significance of the Jewish State), and Rise from the Dust (a passionate call to aliyah from both hashkafic and halachic perspectives). In addition, he has penned a highly popular original work entitled Eretz Yisrael in the Parashah, which demonstrates the centrality of Eretz Yisrael in the Torah.

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot which teaches “Bimkom she’ayn anashim hishtadel le’hiyot ish” guides him in his writing almost exclusively about Eretz Yisrael and aliya. “When no one is filling a role, you must rise up and fill it,” he explains. Nevertheless, he is knowledgeable in many other areas, as well, as evidenced from his translation of What’s the Purpose? – a highly inspirational book on the meaning of life, based on the teachings of R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto.

Besides all this, Rabbi Lichtman is a master teacher of Gemara, who has a knack for simplifying even the most complicated sugya. He has taught a Daf Yomi shiur and has learned through Shas twice. See and be inspired by his first Siyum HaShas here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh0pgF0GK6Y

Finally, R. Lichtman has lectured on several occasions to Jewish communities abroad, impressing upon them the importance of aliyah in our times. Some of the places he visited: Miami Beach and Hollywood, Florida; Teaneck, N.J.; Yeshiva University; Elizabeth, N.J.; Monsey, N.Y.; Stern College for Women; Woodmere, N.Y.; etc. If you are interested in hosting R. Lichtman as a scholar in residence in your community, please contact him through the “Contact Us” page.

So please browse this site, read about R. Lichtman’s important works, purchase some or all of them, and spread the word to others who might be interested.