Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel: The Alter of Slabodka and the Revolution That Transformed Jewish Education

The 29th of Shevat, marks the yahrzeit of Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, known as “The Alter of Slabodka.” Following are 10 facts about his life and the Mussar worldview he developed and modeled in his yeshivah.

1. A Founder of the Mussar Movement

Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel was one of the leading figures of the Mussar Movement in Eastern Europe, the founder of the Slabodka branch of Mussar, and one of the great roshei yeshiva of Lithuania and later of Eretz Yisrael.

2. Early Life and Marriage

He was born in Raseiniai, Lithuania, in 1849 (תר"ט). At a very young age he was orphaned and raised in the home of his uncle in Vilna. At age 15 he married the granddaughter of Rabbi Eliezer Gutman, the rabbi of Kelm.

3. Founding the Slabodka Yeshiva

In 1882 he founded the great yeshiva “Knesses Yisrael” in the town of Slabodka. There he invested all his talents, shaping both his educational philosophy and the character of the institution. He led the yeshiva for 45 years.

4. Refusal to Introduce Secular Studies

In 1924, Lithuanian law required all yeshivot to introduce secular studies or face closure and military conscription of their students. While other yeshivot complied, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi firmly refused. When some students received draft notices, he resolved to relocate the entire yeshiva to the Land of Israel.

5. Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael

Between 1924–1925, all the students and rabbonim of Slabodka immigrated to Eretz Yisrael, led by Rabbi Nosson Tzvi. The yeshiva settled in Hebron until the 1929 riots, after which it moved to Bnei Brak — where it continues to thrive today.

6. Slabodka vs. Kelm

Slabodka drew inspiration from the Kelm school of Mussar, yet differed from it. Kelm emphasized strict discipline and rigid order; Slabodka maintained a calmer atmosphere and focused on the steady development of intellectual and emotional awareness.

7. Slabodka vs. Novardok

During this period the Mussar Movement in Lithuania had two major styles: Slabodka and Novardok.

• Novardok trained students to disregard public opinion and act solely according to halachah and Mussar.

• Slabodka emphasized cultivating refined character traits by deepening one’s sense of personal dignity and inner greatness.

8. High Aspirations from the Start

Rabbi Nosson Tzvi disagreed with Kelm regarding gradual Mussar education. Instead, he taught that from the very beginning, a student must be shown the loftiest spiritual ideals. Only when one sees the highest peak can true motivation to ascend emerge.

9. “The Greatness of Man”

His most famous principle was the doctrine of Gadlus HaAdam – the Greatness of Man. Rather than stressing man’s smallness before God, he highlighted man’s profound worth and responsibility as one chosen to fulfill God’s will. A person must therefore behave as one standing constantly before the King.

10. The Slabodka Appearance

This philosophy shaped even the yeshiva’s dress code. Slabodka demanded dignified and refined appearance: students were known for clean-shaven faces, light-colored suits, straw hats, and walking sticks — similar to the polished attire of university students of that era. Their outer dignity was meant to reflect and reinforce inner greatness.