Liepāja / Libau / Libava
Born on 21 Iyyar1) 5634 (8 May 1874) in Tavrig, district of Kovna. A descendant of the Nodah BiYehudah. He studied at the Volozhin yeshiva. Son-in-law of R. Baruch Netanel Neuveidel, dayan and rabbinic decisor in Tavrig.
From 56572) he served as rabbi in the town of Grozevo near Slutsk. From 56673) he served as rabbi of Seiny, district of Suvalki, until 5675, and during the First World War served as rabbi of Dorpat, Estonia.
In 5681 (1921) he was accepted as rabbi here.
In the month of Tevet 5683 (January 1923) he emigrated to the United States. He served there as rabbi in several communities, and in 5690 was accepted as the general rabbi of the city of St. Louis, where he served until his passing on 20 Tammuz 5702 (5 July 1942) and was brought to rest there.
Author of the book Teshuvah Shlemah — responsa, vol. 1 on Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah (Piotrków 5674), vol. 2 on Even HaEzer and Choshen Mishpat (St. Louis 5701), Midrash HaChaim (New York 5683).
His articles were published in the collections of HaPardes and in Yagdil Torah (Slutsk).
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, may his merit protect us, mentions the responsa Teshuvah Shlemah in his Igrot Kodesh.4)
Halikot Yitzchak, p. 84, note 67. Collection HaPardes, Tishrei 5702 and Menachem Av 5702. Booklet Rabbi Chaim Fishel Epstein — Chayav, Torato uFe'ulotav, New York 5723.
On the ohel over his grave it is inscribed: \
The rabbi, the Gaon, our master \
R. Chaim Fishel Epstein, \
Av Beit Din of our congregation.
Latvia and Rabbis