Megaleh Amukot - R’ Natan Nota Spira, (1585–1633), Poland. Chief Rabbi of Krakow. Descendant of a rabbinical family which traced its lineage as far back to Rashi. Megaleh Amukot is a commentary containing 252 explanations of Moshe’s prayer referenced in the first pasuk of Vaetchanan.
Maharsha - R’ Shmuel Eidels (1555-1631), Poland. Wrote commentary on the Talmud, named Chiddushei Halachot, and commentary on the aggadot of the Talmud, named Chiddushei Aggadot. Married the daughter of Edel Lifschitz of Posen and the late Brisker Rav. His mother-in-law supported his Yeshiva for over 2 decades, and in appreciation he adopted her name. Also served as rav in Chelm, Lublin, Tiktin and Ostroh.
Abarbanel - R’ Don Yitzchak ben Judah Abarbanel (1437-1508), Portugal, Venice; Bible commentator, philosopher, financier and statesman, with a great mastery of both Jewish and secular learning. Used his wealth and position to help free Jews sold into slavery in Morocco. His works argued for the Jewish idea of Mashiach, and were unique in that they took social and political issues into consideration.
Ben Yehoyada - The Ben Ish Chai - R’ Yosef Hayyim (1834-1909), Baghdad; Chacham of the Baghdad Jewish community for over 50 years. Prominent authority on halacha and a master kabbalist. His work is based on his classes on the weekly parsha, containing both kabbalistic insights as well as practical laws for everyday life. He also composed "Ben Yehoyada", a commentary on the Aggadic portions of the Talmud, and responsa entitled "Rav Pe’alim".
