Rabbi Jacob Immanuel Schochet
Rabbi Jacob Immanuel Schochet (1935-2013) was a noted rabbi, academic, and scholar who had a profound impact on Jewish education and philosophy. Born in Switzerland and raised in the Netherlands and Canada, he pursued a rigorous education in both secular and religious studies. Rabbi Schochet earned his rabbinical ordination at the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Montreal and later completed his PhD in philosophy at the University of Waterloo, focusing on the philosophy of religion.
Throughout his career, Rabbi Schochet wrote extensively on Jewish theology, mysticism, and philosophy, authoring more than thirty books and numerous articles. His works often explored the depths of Chassidic teachings and the philosophical underpinnings of Jewish beliefs and practices. He was particularly well-known for his expertise in the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, whom he defended and interpreted in many of his writings.
Rabbi Schochet served as a community rabbi in Toronto for many years and was a respected lecturer at educational institutions worldwide. His scholarly approach and eloquent speaking made him a popular figure in Jewish educational circles. His contributions to Jewish scholarship and community life left a lasting legacy, influencing many in the fields of Jewish thought and religious practice.