Gershom ben Judah (Rabbenu Gershom)

Gershom ben Judah (Rabbenu Gershom), often called Me’or ha-golah (Light of the Exile), was an early German talmudist and communal leader, apparently born in Metz. He was a student of Judah ben Meir ha-Kohen Leontin, of whom very little is known. Gershom’s academy was located in Mainz, where a tombstone bears a name that may be his. The Talmud commentary ascribed to Gershom was actually compiled by his students and members of his academy. Members of his academy taught important students, at least two of whom were Rashi’s teachers, and teachings from Gershom’s academy frequently appear in Rashi’s writings. Gershom wrote many responsa and piyyutim (liturgical poems), but the communal ordinances ascribed to him may be apocryphal. Gershom’s son converted to Christianity, perhaps under duress; nonetheless, when his son died, Gershom famously observed the traditional Jewish mourning rituals for him.