formed for the purpose of studying Chayei Adam. Chochmat Adam (, "The Wisdom of Man"), similarly, discusses the laws in the Yoreh De'ah section of the Shulchan Aruch, as well as laws from the Even Ha'ezer and Choshen Mishpat sections pertinent to everyday life. Binat Adam on this work corresponds to the Nishmat Adam on Chayei Adam. Chochmat Adam was written in consultation with two of the greatest Torah scholars of the time - Chaim Volozhin and Yaakov of Lisa. The scholarship of these works is evidenced by the fact that Rabbi Chaim Volozhin, known for his opposition to "digests of halacha", granted the work his approbation (on condition that each section be cross-referenced to the Shulchan Aruch to allow for further study). Reportedly, the Chatam Sofer instructed his son that when unable to refer to the Shulchan Aruch, he could refer to the Chochmat Adam in making a halachic decision Other works by Danzig include: Zichru Torat Moshe - an introduction to the laws of Shabbos. Kitzur Sefer Charedim - an abridgement of the classic Sefer Charedim by Rabbi Elazar Ezkari. Toldot Adam - a commentary on the Passover Haggadah. Danzig also wrote Tefillah Zakah, a penitential prayer recited by many on the eve of Yom Kippur. Gunpowder Purim On November 18, 1804, a gunpowder magazine exploded accidentally in Vilna, killing 31 people and destroying a large amount of property. This explosion occurred at Vilna fort and spread to areas nearby. Among those who lost his home and his business was Rabbi Avraham Danzig. Yet Rabbi Danzig and his family were spared from death, and so grateful was he for this that he declared the date of the conflagration to be a “Pulverpurim” (Gunpowder Purim) for the Danzig family. According to this custom, the 15th of Kislev is a fast day, with the giving of extra charity. On the following night, which is the 16th of Kislev, a Meal of Thanksgiving (Seudas Hodaah) is eaten. References (public domain). Eliezer C. Abrahamson, Rabbi Avraham Danzig, Great Jewish Leaders The Chayei Adam - Rabbi Avraham Danzig (1748-1820), Jewishv Virtual Library Avraham ben Yehiel Mikhl Danzig (1748-1820), bh.org.il Resources Chayei Adam fulltext (Hebrew), daat.ac.il Chochmat Adam fulltext (Hebrew), daat.ac.il 1748 births 1820 deaths Haredi rabbis in Europe Clergy from Gdańsk People from Royal Prussia Exponents of Jewish law Authors of books on Jewish law