Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld was born on 6 Kislev 5609 (1848) in Verbó, Nitra county, Hungary (now Slovakia), the son of Rabbi Avraham Shlomo and grandson of Rabbi Shmuel Nadash, rabbi of Jergen and a student of the Chatam Sofer. Orphaned of his father at five, he studied at eleven under Rabbi Yehuda Leib Leffler in Szenice, then returned to Verbó to learn under Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Mannheimer, before joining the Ktav Sofer's yeshiva in Pressburg. After his marriage he settled in Kobersdorf, where he studied under Rabbi Avraham Shag.

In 1873 he went up to Jerusalem with his teacher Rabbi Avraham Shag and settled in the Old City. He drew close to the Maharil Diskin and his son, standing at their side in their public struggles, and was also close to Rabbi Shmuel Salant.

In 1920 he founded the Edah HaChareidis, the independent Orthodox community of Jerusalem, and became its first chief rabbi. He uncompromisingly defended the independence of traditional Judaism from the Zionist institutions. For all his firmness, he was known for his warmth and love for every Jew. He helped found many neighbourhoods and institutions in Jerusalem.

He passed away on 19 Adar II 5692 (1932) and rests on the Mount of Olives.