place · L0208
Mainz מגנצא
Rhineland city where Rabbeinu Gershom Me'or HaGolah established the academy that made Ashkenaz a center of Torah in its own right around the year 1000. Rashi's principal teacher, R' Yaakov ben Yakar, taught here. With Speyer and Worms it formed the ShUM league of communities.
I. Who
- Hebrew
- מגנצא
- Also known as
- Magentza, Mayence
III. Where
- Modern location
- Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
V. How do we know
| Claim | Evidence | Confidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbeinu Gershom taught at Mainz, and scholars from across Europe — including the teachers of Rashi — studied in its academy. | external tradition | ★★★★☆ | |
| The Jewish community of Mainz is documented from the 10th century and was among those devastated in the First Crusade massacres of 1096 (Gzerot Tatnu). | external | ★★★★☆ |
Referenced by: Rabbeinu Gershom, Yaakov ben Yakar, Rashi, Moshe ben Kalonymus