Yaakov ben Moshe Levi Moelin

Rabbi Yaakov Halevi Molin ( יעקב בן משה מולין; * probably in 1375 in Mainz, † September 14, 1427 in Worms ) was a Talmudist and Posek ( halachic authority ). He is known by the codification of ritual customs of the Ashkenazim, which he put together in Sefer minhagim. The Hebrew acronym of his name Maharil - " Our teacher, Rabbi Yaakov ( Ha ) Levi " - is widely known, more alternative names are Mahari Segal or Mahari Moelin. Maharils Minhagim laws were a source of HaMapah, Moses Isserles ' part of the Shulchan Aruch. Maharil is regarded as one of the outstanding Jewish scholars at the end of the Middle Ages. The works attributed to him are reprinted and consulted today.

Life

Maharil was the son of Rabbi Moshe Levi Moelin and a disciple of Rabbi Shalom of Wiener Neustadt. He earned his reputation - despite his youth - by Talmud studies and piety. He was the Rosh Yeshiva of Mainz, where his most famous pupil Jacob Weil ( Mahariv ) was. Maharil survived the period of Hussitenverfolgungen, which also affected the Jews on the Rhine (see: History of Jews in Germany # Middle Ages). Maharil played an important role in the reconstruction of Jewish life on the Rhine. His grave is located in the Holy Rabbinental sand in Worms.

Work

Maharils most famous work, the Sefer minhagim ( Book of Customs ), is also known as Minhagei Maharil or Sefer ha - Maharil. It contains a detailed description of Jewish lifestyles and rites of the religious as well as the home environment and conveys a binding definition of the Ashkenazi customs with which it has helped to keep the unity of Judaism over the cultural boundaries. It also includes legal decisions, sermons, and text comments. He put the orders of worship of the German congregations established, promoted the study of Torah and certain: Mainz Mainz must remain. The liturgical chants the holy community Magenza are immutable.

In 1556, it was first published with numerous additions in Sabbioneta by Maharils students Zalman of St. Goar. It influenced the religious, cultural and social history of the Ashkenazi Jews prevail. Moshe Isserles cites Maharil regularly in the Shulchan Aruch, the revised several rabbis generations Summary religious precepts.

In the work Maharils comes the special connection to his hometown Magenza, the Jewish Mainz, expressed, as he repeatedly of " our city," writes and refers to people and customs in Mainz of the late Middle Ages.