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 Simcha Simcha ( ; , ) is a Hebrew word that means gladness, or joy, and is often used as a given name. The concept of simcha is an important one in Jewish philosophy. A popular teaching by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a 19th-century Chassidic Rabbi, is ""Mitzvah Gedolah Le'hiyot Besimcha Tamid"," it is a great mitzvah (commandment) to always be in a state of happiness. When a person is happy they are much more capable of serving God and going about their daily activities than when depressed or upset. Jews often use "simcha" in its capacity as a Hebrew