Meir ben Isaac of Worms

Meir ben Isaac was a liturgical poet and preacher active in Worms, Germany. Many later authorities cited his views about synagogue customs, holding him in high esteem. More than fifty of Meir’s piyyutim survive. The most famous among them is “At the beginning of my words” (Akdamut milin), which is still recited in many Ashkenazic communities on the morning of Shavuot prior to the reading of the Torah. Meir’s piyyutim inspired several commentaries, including by the early biblical commentator Menahem ben Helbo (ca. 1015–1085). Meir had at least two sons, Jacob and Isaac; Isaac died in the Crusader attacks of 1096.