Seeker of Truth

Abraham (Avraham) Dov Lebensohn, a Lithuanian maskil and poet also known as Adam ha-Kohen, was born in Vilna, received a traditional Jewish education, but explored the Hebrew language and grammar. He worked as a merchant and as a Jewish legal scholar for several years in small towns, returning to Vilna in 1819, where he taught and worked in commerce. He earned his fame as a poet, often writing poems for commission (including for a visit to Vilna of Moses Montefiore, and in honor of Russian governmental figures). He advocated for enlightened Jewish education and wrote biblical commentaries.