Rogatchover Gaon - Rav Yosef Rosen

Rav Yosef Rosen (1858 - March 5, 1936) is better known as the Rogatchover Gaon. He is remembered for his photographic memory, breadth of knowledge, and sharp wit. His was a world where no phenomenon, no problem - cosmic or infinitesimal - is beyond the realm of the Torah.

For over seventy years, he virtually never stopped studying Torah. It is said that since early age he would not allow his hair to be cut for he could not stand the few moments he would be bareheaded, unable to learn. Over and over he reviewed the familiar works of the Talmud he so revered. He rarely consulted works published later than the 17th century, and never quoted anyone later than the Rambam. In the Rambam, he found his "Rebbe" and mentor, and he could often be seen pacing his room, copy of the Rambam's Mishneh Torah in hand, murmuring "dear, dear Rebbe."