Haredi Judaism

Haredi or Charedi Judaism, often also called ultra-Orthodox Judaism, is the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism. The term "ultra-Orthodox" is controversial, as it is often considered to be pejorative, and is rarely used by the Jews to whom it is applied; they generally prefer Haredi (חֲרֵדִי, a Hebrew term which means "one who trembles" in awe of God), Torah Jew or Hasidic (in the case of Hasidic Jews).

Rabbinical leaders

• The Baal Shem Tov (18th century founder of Hasidism)
• The Vilna Gaon (founder of the mitnagdim (originally of Lithuania)
• Rabbi Chaim of Volozhim (19th century founder of the Lithuanian yeshivoth)
• Rabbi Moses Sofer (18th-19th century leader of Eastren European ultra-Orthodox)
• Rabbis of the Gerrer Hasidim (originally Poland, now Israel)
• Rabbis of Lubavitch
• Rabbi Avraham Yishayahu Karelitz (leader of Haredim in Israel)
• Rabbi Aharon Kotler (founder of the Lakewood yeshivas in America)
• Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (leader of Israeli Sephardi Haredim)
• Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv (present-day leader of Israel's Haredim)