The Maharam and Gilad Shalit

A few weeks ago, our guest speaker for Book Month, Michelle Cameron, taught us about Rabbi Meir of Rothenberg (the Maharam). Among the things we learned, was the story of his kidnapping and his refusal to allow the Jewish community to pay the ransom. While her book focused on the Maharam's wife, the larger story strikes a chord for today's Jewish community. In the weeks since her presentation, it has become even more so.

With negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit actively moving forward, the question of what price Israel should pay for Shalit's release has become a question for public debate. The ghost of the Maharam haunts the conversation. Uri Dromi, former spokesman for Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, wrote the following:

In Judaism, redeeming the captive is very important: ``You shall not stand idly
by the blood of your brother.'' (Lev. 19:16). However, not at all costs. One of
the old Jewish sages has already cautioned against it. Rabbi Meir Ben Baruch,
better known as the Maharam of Rotenburg, was one of the leading rabbis of
Germany in the 13th century, when King Rudolph started persecuting the Jews.

He acknowledges that the deal will likely go through even though he (and most Israelis) have very mixed feelings. Read the full article here in the Miami Herald.