Meir bar Hiyya Rofe

Meir bar Hiyya Rofe was a prominent rabbi from Hebron, recognized for his role as an emissary of the Jewish community of Hebron to various European countries. Born to a family of esteemed rabbinic lineage, his father Hiyya Rofe was a respected scholar from Safed. Following the loss of his parents at a young age, Meir pursued his studies in Hebron, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.

Meir's travels as an emissary took him to Italy, Holland, and Germany around 1648, during which he engaged with Jewish communities and fostered support for the Hebron community. His journey also led to a two-year sojourn in Italy, where he oversaw the publication of his father's talmudic novellae and responsa, compiled in the work Ma'aseh Ḥiyya. Additionally, his interactions in Amsterdam influenced the philanthropist Abraham Pereyra to establish the Hesed le-Avraham yeshiva in Hebron, with Meir bar Hiyya Rofe serving as its head scholar, further solidifying his position within the Jewish scholarly community.