ר׳ פנחס הלוי הורוויץ

ר׳ פנחס הלוי הורוויץ (c. 1730–1805), known as בעל ההפלאה, was an eminent Talmudist and chief rabbi of Frankfurt am Main. Born into a distinguished rabbinic family, he learned with his father ר׳ צבי הירש הורוויץ and his older brothers, especially ר׳ שמואל שמלקה הורוויץ. He served in Witków and Lachowicze before he and his brother entered the circle of ר׳ דב בער ממזריטש, making him an important link between early Hasidism and the established Central European rabbinate. In 1772 Frankfurt elected him chief rabbi and av beit din. He headed a major yeshiva, defended traditional communal authority and taught students including ר׳ משה סופר. His ספר כתובה, generally called הפלאה, combined close Talmudic analysis of tractate Ketubbot with halakhic discussion; המקנה treated Kiddushin and Even HaEzer. Later editors published his biblical exposition פנים יפות and responsa גבעת פנחס. He remained in Frankfurt for more than three decades, continuing to teach despite deteriorating eyesight, and died there in 1805. His analytical method and rulings became enduring components of Ashkenazi Talmudic study.