Jacob Star Certification Congratulations in August 2025
Chief Rabbi Aaron Uri Phoebus Hart, former Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth
2025-05-15
Chief Rabbi Aaron Uri Phoebus Hart (Hebrew: ??????????????????????; 1670, Breslau – 1756, London) was the first Chief Rabbi of England and Rabbi of the Great Synagogue from 1704 until his death.
He was the son of Naphtahzeer of Hamburg (Hartwig Moses Hart), a prosperous Jewish city dweller. After studying at a theological seminary in Poland, he married the daughter of R. Samuel ben Phoebus of Fürth, author of the commentary on Eben haEzer. In 1692, he was ordained rabbi of London's first German synagogue.
In 1707 he published Urim ve-Tummim, the first Hebrew book to be printed in London.
A portrait of Rabbi Hart hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London.