Israel Meir Hacohen (Kagan) - the Chafetz Chaim. A prominent talmudic leader and author, he wrote commentaries on the Sifra and Musser . In all, he composed over thirty works on Jewish ethics and laws, especially concentrating on the need to beware of slandering or "promoting a bad name". His Magnum Opus was the Mishna B'rurah , a guide to Jewish law in modern times. Earning his living as a teacher and later founding a yeshiva, he consistently refused a rabbinical position. This was partly based on his belief that "he who hates gifts shall live".