(MaHaRa”M of Rothenburg). Birkoth MaHaRa”M [on the laws of benedictions]

This rare petite volume was widely quoted by later Codifiers. The Author, Meir of Rothenburg (c. 1215-1293), was one of the noteworthy Tosafists of Rashi's commentary on the Talmud and one of the great rabbis of the Middle Ages. Tradition has it that R. Meir was kidnapped in Alsace and although the Jewish Community raised a large ransom to release him, R. Meir forbade such a maneuver for fear of encouraging the kidnapping of others. Thus R. Meir remained incarcerated until his death. Ultimately a ransom was paid for release of his body, which was received for burial 14 years later.