CLASSICS. MahaRa”M M’Ruttenburg. First Edition. Prague 1608

CLASSICS. MahaRa”M M’Ruttenburg. First Edition. Prague 1608
Classic sefer of Halachic responsa by R. Meir of Ruttenburg, with the Enactments of Rabbeinu Gershom and other Gaonim. With important addendum titled “Darkei Teshuva”, pertaining to those who converted to other religions under duress. Published by R. Moshe Katz, son-in-law of the MaHarAL of Prague.
R. Meir of Ruttenburg (died 1293) was one of the great Ba’alei Tosfos. He was a pupil of R. Yitzchok of Vienna (Ohr Zarua) and R. Yechiel of Paris. He lived in Ruttenburg and later in Worms. In 1286, following increased persecution of the Jews, he attempted to escape Germany, but was captured and held for ransom. Famously, he ruled that the excessive ransom should not be paid out of concern that it would lead to the imprisonment of other leading rabbinical figures. He died after seven years in prison, and fourteen years later a ransom was paid for his body by Alexander Ben Salomon Wimpfen, who was subsequently laid to rest beside him in the Jewish cemetery of Worms.
Stefansky Hebrew Classics 263. Vinograd Prague 161. Moshe Katz press. 2, 5-114 pages. 29.5 cm. Overall fine condition. Foxing. Some wear to the first 2 and last few pages, slightly affecting text. Modern elegant leather binding.
Opening bid $400