Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, also known as the Beis HaLevi, was a rabbi and scholar and the first of the Soloveitchik dynasty. His mother, Rivke, was the granddaughter of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. R. Yosef Dov quickly became known for his great genius and kindness of heart. In 1854, he was invited to be co-Rosh Yeshiva of the Volozhin Yeshiva together with R. Naftali Zvi Yehudah Berlin. In 1878 he was offered the rabbinate of Brisk, a position he held until his death in 1892. Over his lifetime he produced numerous published works, including Talmud commentaries, halachic insights, responsa and sermons, which were all printed under the title "Beit HaLevi."
Soloveitchik was reputed to have one of the great minds of his time. In 1854, he was considered a candidate for rosh yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva, over Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin. During this time he would lead the Yeshiva alongside the Netziv.[5] However, Berlin would ultimately be selected for the position, resulting in Soloveitchik relocating to Brisk.[6]
Chaim (Halevi) Soloveitchik also known as Reb Chaim Brisker (1853 – 30 July 1918), was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar credited as the founder of the popular Brisker approach to Talmudic study within Judaism( a method of highly exacting and analytical Talmudical study that focuses on precise definition/s and categorization/s of Jewish law as commanded in the Torah.[6][9] His works would have particular emphasis on the legal writings of Maimonides.). He is also a member of the Soloveitchik dynasty, as the son of the Beis HaLevi.
As a rosh yeshiva of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University in New York City, The Rav (variantly spelled The Rov),[1] as he came to be known (alternatively referred to as "Rov Yosheh Ber" by other rabbinic figures),
He served as an advisor, guide, mentor, and role-model for tens of thousands of Jews, both as a Talmudic scholar and as a religious leader. He is regarded as a seminal figure by Modern Orthodox Judaism.
Story time:
Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (in a 1984 lecture at Yeshiva University) recounted a personal anecdote that illustrates the importance of preserving life even if it involves violating Shabbat. As a young boy, Rav Soloveitchik fell ill on Shabbat and his illustrious father and grandfather were at his side. His grandfather, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, asked the doctor who had come to see the young boy if turning on a light would assist him. The doctor replied, “That would not be a bad idea.” Rav Chaim immediately instructed his son, Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, to turn on the light to aid the doctor in his work. Rav Moshe hesitated, because the doctor never stated that the light was unquestionably necessary, so Rav Chaim called him an apikores (heretic). When Rav Chaim was asked how he could treat Shabbat so lightly, he responded that he was not acting leniently regarding Shabbat, but strictly regarding the laws of piku’ach nefesh.