SALANTER, YISRAʾEL (1810–1883), born Yisraʾel Lipkin, Lithuanian rabbinic scholar and leader, founder of the Musar movement. Yisraʾel Lipkin, the son of a rabbi and an exceptionally educated woman, showed scholarly promise at an early age. At the age of twelve he traveled to the town of Salant to continue his studies under the tutelage of the noted scholar Tsevi Hirsh Braude. From his stay of some fifteen years in Salant derives Rabbi Yisraʾel's usual designation, Salanter.

The young Yisraʾel came under the influence of the charismatic but reclusive rabbi, Yosef Zundel of Salant. Characteristic of the latter's approach were an intense concern with the moral aspects of Jewish law and the development of psychological techniques meant to heighten moral sensitivity and inspire righteous action. Yisraʾel Salanter's discipleship under Zundel also put him in a direct...