Meir Simcha of Dvinsk Meir Simcha of Dvinsk Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1843–1926) was a rabbi and prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Eastern Europe in the early 20th century. He was a kohen, and is therefore often referred to as "Meir Simcha ha-Kohen" ("Meir Simcha the Kohen"). He is known for his writings on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, which he titled "Ohr Somayach", as well as his novellae on the Torah, titled "Meshech Chochma". Meir Simcha was born in Butrimonys (), Lithuania, to Samson Kalonymus, a local wealthy merchant. According to family tradition, his later success in Torah study was attributed to two blessings
Simcha Zissel Ziv study at the Talmud Torah focused on Musar, while comparatively little time was devoted to the conventional study of Talmud. Simcha Zissel also introduced general subjects such as geography, mathematics, and Russian into the Talmud Torah curriculum. These subjects were studied for three hours a day, which was unprecedented in traditional Lithuanian yeshivas. Simcha Zissel did not view general studies as a "necessary evil" but rather argued that such studies would encourage "better living" and "a better understanding of religious teachings as well." In 1872, Simcha Zissel purchased a plot of land and erected a building for the Talmud Torah.