Rabbeinu Tam
Rabbeinu Tam (R' Yaakov ben Meir, 1100-1171) was a leading French Tosafist and one of the most influential Ashkenazi halakhic authorities of the 12th century. A grandson of Rashi, he founded a major school of Talmudic interpretation in Troyes and composed extensive glosses (Tosafot) that revolutionized Ashkenazi legal methodology. His rulings and interpretations shaped Ashkenazi halakha for centuries and are extensively cited in later codes including the Shulchan Aruch.
Works & Contributions (7)
- Hagahot Maimoniyot (citing R' Tam)
- Referenced in Rema on SA 232:2; Mishnah Berurah 232:11, 232:21
- Sefer HaYashar (cited by later authorities)
- Tur, Orach Chaim 232, in name of Rabbeinu Tam
Origin
Troyes, France
1100–1171 CE (4860–4931)
Historical Context
Lineage
Teachers
Students
Decisional Profile
Opinions recorded by category
Topic Coverage
Each square represents a topic. Darker squares indicate more opinions recorded in that topic.
Shabbat
Daily Life
Prayer
Blessings
Tzitzit & Tefillin
Pesach
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot
Hanukkah
Purim
Holidays
Fasts & Mourning
Rulings (22)
What is the minimum and standard length requirement for tzitzit strings?
The 4 thumb-widths apply to the gdil alone; the anaf must be double the gdil, giving a total of 12 t…
What minimum length must remain on a torn tzitzit string for the tzitzit to remain kosher?
Tzitzit are valid only if two complete strings (four ends, each 12 thumb-widths long) remain; the ot…
May one pour water from cupped hands (not from a vessel) onto another person's hands for netilat yadayim?
One may pour from the already-washed first hand onto the second hand, provided the first hand was pu…
Does HaTov VeHaMeitiv require the second wine to be objectively superior to the first?
HaTov VeHaMeitiv is recited on any change of wine, even if the second is inferior, because the bless…
Is it forbidden to begin a haircut, bathhouse, tannery, court case, or meal close to Mincha Gedolah (from midday)?
Only a wedding feast or circumcision feast (large, festive meal) is forbidden close to Mincha Gedola…
What constitutes a 'small meal' versus a 'large meal' for purposes of the Mincha prohibition?
A 'large meal' is one specifically that tends to be extended greatly — a wedding feast, circumcision…
May a Jew allow a non-Jew to perform attached (mechubar) construction work, such as building a house or wall, on Shabbat via a kablanut arrangement within the city or its techum?
Kablanut of building work by a non-Jew should be permitted even for construction, because the non-Je…
When wine is available but someone prefers bread, may Kiddush be made on bread?
One may never make Kiddush on bread.
May a Jew ask a non-Jew to carry an already-lit candle from one place to another on Shabbat?
It is permitted to tell a non-Jew 'bring the lit candle' since carrying a candle is only muktze (rab…
Where one need not repeat Shemoneh Esreh, may one voluntarily repeat it as a voluntary prayer (nedavah)?
Even if one has begun the next blessing (i.e., has not yet completed tefillah), one may go back to a…
May a man go out on Shabbat wearing a signet ring (ring with a seal)?
A man going out with a signet ring is fully permitted, as a signet ring is an ornament only for a ma…
What preparation is required to use a reed designated as a lock (kaneh) on Shabbat?
A reed designated for locking need not be fit for any other use; once an action is performed designa…
May one squeeze unripe grapes (boser) into food on Shabbat?
Forbidden to squeeze unripe fruit (boser) even into food.
If a Tefillin strap is severed, may one repair it by stitching, and does it depend on where along the strap the break occurs?
Stitching a severed strap from the inside is permitted anywhere, including within the essential meas…
Is it permitted to perform betrothal (kiddushin) or conduct a wedding (chuppah) on Shabbat?
When a man has no wife and children, betrothal is permitted on Shabbat because it is a mitzvah (proc…