21 Facts About Malbim

Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michel Wisser, better known as the Malbim, was a rabbi, master of Hebrew grammar, and Bible commentator.

The name Malbim was derived from the Hebrew initials of his name.

Malbim used this acronym as his surname in all his published works and became known by it in common usage.

Malbim's writings do not include works about Kohelet or Eicha.

Malbim was born in Volochysk, Volhynia, to Yehiel Michel Wisser.

The Malbim showed talent from his early childhood, and his works indicate that he had considerable knowledge of secular sciences and history.

Malbim had disagreements with the upper class and educated Jews there; some of them Austrian citizens led by the noted Dr Iuliu Barasch.

Malbim defended the traditional style of Orthodox Judaism, which demanded strict adherence to Jewish law and tradition.

Malbim rejected almost all suggestions to edit the Siddur, give up beards or other distinctions of exterior appearance, or make other changes in observance.

Malbim opposed the construction of the Choral Temple which would be equipped with a choir and organ similar to the Great Synagogue of Leopoldstadt in Vienna.

Malbim condemned the founding of the first two elementary schools in Bucharest for Jewish children to offer a general knowledge curriculum.

Malbim was freed through the intervention of Sir Moses Montefiore upon the condition that he leave Romania.

Malbim went to Constantinople and complained to the Turkish government but obtained no satisfaction.

Malbim went to Konigsberg as chief rabbi of the Polish community, but his conflicts with Reform Jews continued.

Malbim visited Vilna in 1879, where the community would have appointed him as rabbi, but the governor of Vilna opposed the election.

Malbim did not want to sanction the appointment of a rabbi who had been expelled from Moghilev as a political criminal.

Malbim declined an offer to be chief rabbi of the Orthodox in New York City.

In September 1879, Malbim was traveling to Kremenchuk, where he had been called as rabbi, when he fell sick.

Malbim's first published commentary was on Megillat Esther, followed by his commentary on most of the Hebrew Tanakh from then until 1876.

Malbim discusses them in comparison to simplifying the verses while being precise in biblical grammar.

Malbim had a broad education which he used in his commentaries, and thus we find several times in his commentary mentions of Philo of Alexandria, Kant and other philosophers, as well as the words of the learned who preceded him.