Joshua Zeitlin

Joshua Zeitlin (1742 in Shklov, Belarus – August 18, 1822, in Kherson, Novorossiya) was a Russian rabbinical scholar and philanthropist.

Being an expert in political economics, he maintained close relations with Prince Potemkin, the favorite of Catherine the Great.

During the Turko-Russian war, Zeitlin furnished the Russian army with various supplies, and managed that business so well that afterwards, he was appointed as Imperial Court Councillor.

After retiring from business in the civil rank of court councillor, Zeitlin resided on his estate, Ustzia, where he was occasionally consulted by rabbis.

Zeitlin was the author of annotations to the Sefer Mitzwot Katan, that were printed with the text (Kopys, 1820), and supplemented by some of his responsa.