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Сила Теилим

5 Av · Yahrzeit

Maharam Barby of Pressburg

Rabbi Meir ben Shaul Berabi (Maharam Barby) Yahrzeit - 5 Av Resting place - The "Chatam Sofer" Memorial, Bratislava, Slovakia Rav Meir was born in 1725 in Berabi, near Halberstadt in Germany. His parents were Rav Shaul and Rebbetzin Yentlichi. At a young age his father sent him to study under Rav Tzvi Hirsch Harif, rabbi of Halberstadt, who invested tremendous effort in him. Rav Meir then continued his studies in the yeshiva of Rav Yaakov Papirash, rabbi of Frankfurt am Main. He remained in this yeshiva for two years, perfecting his knowledge of Torah. After his two-year stay in Frankfurt, he returned to Halberstadt. At the age of thirteen, in 1738, Rav Meir married Rebbetzin Elkeli, daughter of Rav Michel of Halberstadt. He devoted himself entirely to Torah study, thanks to the support of his brother-in-law, Rav Nosson. Even at this young age, Rav Meir was already known as an outstanding Talmid Chacham. Eventually, he was appointed as a Dayan in the city, and in 1757, when Rav Moshe Brisk passed away, Rav Meir was asked to take his place. After this, Rav Meir became the rabbi of Pressburg, Hungary, and held this position for the following twenty-five years, until his passing in 1789. In 1723 he was appointed rabbi of Pressburg, succeeding Rabbi Yitzchak Dukla. He also served as the head of the yeshiva in the city. Among his students from this period were great geniuses of the time: Rabbi Daniel Prostitz, Rabbi Mordechai Bennet, and Rabbi Yehuda Leib Karlburg. Rav Meir was close with many gedolim of the generation and frequently discussed halachic questions with them, especially with the Noda B'Yehuda. Rav Meir was known as a rabbi who always strove for peace in every community he served. It is told that once, on the night of Yom Kippur, the townspeople were waiting for Rav Meir to arrive at the synagogue for prayer. Meanwhile, he stood outside, trying to reconcile two long-standing enemies, telling them that the prayer would not begin until they made peace; they heeded his words, and Kol Nidrei began. In 1789 Rav Meir fell ill, and on 5 Av, at the age of sixty-four, he ascended to the Heavenly Yeshiva. May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael! (From a trip to Pressburg, to the "Chatam Sofer" Memorial)