[2] In 1914, at the age of 11, Halkin immigrated to the United States from his native Russia.
[4][5] Halkin began teaching at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1930.
[7][8] Halkin was known to be one of the few familiar with an Apologetic Letter of rabbi Jedaia ha - Penini.
[9] He also was a noted scholar of Shmuel Yosef Agnon's writing, having taught it in his lectures.
[8] Halkin died on March 9, 1990, in Jerusalem, Israel at 86 years of age from pneumonia, survived by his son and daughter.