Author of Sefer Hachaim and Igeres Hatiyul. Elder brother of the Maharal of Prague.
Rav Chaim’s Yichus And Family
Rav Chaim was born in 1730 ר''ץ in Posen, into a family of tzaddikim and rabbanim who traced their illustrious lineage back to Rashi, who traced back to Rav Yochanan haSandlar, fourth generation descendants of Raban Gamliel HaZaken, descendants of Dovid HaMelech.
The Berachah of His Grandfather, Rav Chaim Av Beis Din Worms
Rav Chaim of Worms sent his two sons Rav Yaakov and Rav Hilman to study under the Maharshal while their brother Betzalel remained at home serving their father. When the two brothers came home all aglow from their experience, sharing their spiritual growth and words of Torah, Betzalel grew jealous and complained to his father; he too wanted to go study in the yeshiva of the Maharshal.
Then Rav Chaim of Worms blessed his son Rav Betzalel that in the zechus of the shimush and mitzvas kibud av he had performed by remaining behind, he would merit four illustrious sons whose light would illuminate the entire world.
Rav Chaim was the bechor (the eldest), and the other brothers were: Rav Sinai, Rosh Yeshiva in Prague who was later Av Beis Din Nikolsberg and Meheren (Moravia); Rav Shimshon of Kremenitz, who was an ancestor of the famous Rav Shimshon Ostropoler; and the youngest brother, Rav Yehuda, known as the Maharal of Prague.
Rav Chaim and the Rema
Rav Chaim studied under Rav Shlomo Luria the famed Maharshal, under Rav Sholom Shachna of Lublin, and with Rav Moshe Isserles, the Rema.
Rav Chaim also mentions Rav Yitzchok Sefardi, in his introduction to Igeres Tiyul, as his rebbe and mentor who taught him mikrah, dikduk, and Rashi. He further mentions that Rav Sefardi was buried in Jerusalem after his passing.
In the year ש''ט, Rav Chaim established a yeshivah in Worms where his uncle Rav Yaakov ben Rav Chaim Ashkenazi served as Rav. After Rav Yaakov passed away in שכ''ג, Rav Chaim succeeded him. Afterwards, he moved to Friedberg and served as the Av Beis Din until his passing on Shavous 1588 שמ''ח.
His published works include: Sefer HeChaim, Igeres Tiyul and Vikuach Mayim Chaim. There is a sefer called HaTzachos attributed to him as well.
His unpublished manuscripts include: Issur v’Heter, a likkut from the poskim; Beer Mayim Chaim on Rashi’s commentary on Chumash, cited by the author of Devek Tov; Biurim and Chiddushim on Tur Orach Chaim; Eitz Chaim on the laws of dikduk (grammar) of Lashon Kodesh. The introductions from Beer Mayim Chaim and Eitz Chaim were published in HaMaggid year 13, gilyon 37, 1869.
