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

MEIR BEN BARUCH

Jacob Marcaria the Physician

Riva di Trento

1558

Vinograd, Riva di Trento 5.

Rare petite volume, 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. Born in Worms, he studied in Germany and France, where he wrote a eulogy after witnessing the burning of 24 cart-loads of Talmudic manuscripts in Paris. R. Meir taught in several German communities, but is primarily associated with Rothenburg (ob der Tauber) where he opened his own Yeshiva. Tradition has it that R. Meir was kidnapped in Alsace and although the Jewish Community raised a large ransom to release him, the rabbi 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.