ר׳ שלמה הכהן רבינוביץ

ר׳ שלמה הכהן רבינוביץ (c. 1803–1866), known as the תפארת שלמה, was rabbi of Radomsko and founder of the Radomsk Hasidic dynasty. Born in Włoszczowa to ר׳ דב צבי הכהן, he received advanced Torah training at Piotrków from ר׳ אברהם צבי פצנובסקי and ר׳ דוד חריף. He became attached to Polish Hasidic masters, particularly ר׳ ישכר בער מרדושיץ and ר׳ משה בידרמן מלעלוב. After marriage he lived in Przedbórz, working as a teacher until his appointment as rabbi of Radomsko in 1834. Following the death of ר׳ ישכר בער in 1843, many Hasidim accepted him as their rebbe, and Radomsko became an influential Polish Hasidic centre. His leadership emphasized prayer, melody, communal solidarity and a spiritually charged reading of Torah. He maintained close relations with ר׳ חיים הלברשטאם מצאנז and other contemporary leaders. His discourses on the Torah and festivals were edited posthumously as תפארת שלמה, issued in Warsaw in two stages between 1867 and 1869; the work became a classic of Polish Hasidic thought and supplied his enduring appellation. He died in Radomsko on 29 Adar 5626 and was buried in the local Jewish cemetery. His son ר׳ אברהם ישכר דב רבינוביץ succeeded him as rebbe.