The Tiktinsky (or Tiktinski) family is "associated with the foundation and development of" the Mir Yeshiva (Belarus),[1] from which came the one in Jerusalem, the Mir in Brooklyn and Bais HaTalmud. Shmuel Tiktinsky and his oldest son, Avrohom, who both died (separately) in 1835,[2] were the first two of this family to facilitate the success of the Mir. At that time, Shmuel's second oldest son, Chaim Leib, was eleven years old.[3] Two others led the Mir before it became his turn.[1]
Shmuel Tiktinsky was "a merchant of considerable means and a talmudic scholar."[1] He used both of these[4] to build[5] and run the Mir.
Avrohom Tiktinsky was given "the whole burden of administration" by his father in 1823.[1] One change he made was eliminating eating kest - the practice of having individual students eat their meals by different town families each day. One purpose was"raising their status."[1]
When, like his father, he died in 1835, Shmuels second oldest son was eleven years old.[3] Responsibility shifted to the chief rabbi of the town, and subsequently upon his death, to that rabbi's son.
See main article: Chaim Leib Tiktinsky. In 1850, the now 26 year old Chaim Yehuda Leib Tiktinsky, known as Chaim Leib, "was appointed joint principal of the yeshiva."[1] Chaim Leib "insisted that the student must devote himself solely to the texts and the commentaries" and reduced deployment of pilpul.[1] This brought in more students, and in 1867, with the death of the other principal, he"was entrusted with the entire control" of the Mir.[3] [6] Chaim Leib named two sons Shmuel and Avrohom.[1]
Chaim Leib's Shmuel (1876), and then Avrohom (1883), were his successors.[1] [3] The latter retired in 1907.[7]