| Today is: Sunday, Tammuz 4, 5772 · June 24, 2012
• Passing of Rabbeinu Tam (1171)
Rabbi Yaakov ben Meir of Romereau (1100?-1171), known as "Rabbeinu Tam", was a grandson of Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, 1040-1105), and one of the primary authors of the Tosaphot commentary on the Talmud; the Bet-Din (rabbinical court) he headed was regarded as the leading Torah authority of his generation. Links:
Rabbeinu Tam (Rabbi Yaakov ben Meir)
• Maharam Imprisoned (1286)
Rabbi Meir ben Baruch ("Maharam") of Rothenburg (1215?-1293), the great Talmudic commentator and leading Halachic authority for German Jewry, was imprisoned in the fortress at Ensisheim. A huge ransom was imposed for his release. The money was raised, but Rabbi Meir refused to allow it to be paid lest this encourage the further hostage taking of Jewish leaders. He died in captivity after seven years of imprisonment. Link: Maharam (a brief biography)
Mesirut nefesh -- Hebrew term for self sacrifice -- means both "giving of life" and "giving of will." Self sacrifice is not just the willingness to die for one's beliefs; it is the way in which one lives for them. It is the willingness to sacrifice one's "self" -- one's desires, one's preconceptions, one's most basic inclinations.
- The Lubavitcher Rebbe
Chitas and Rambam for today: | 
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