Rabbinic Ban on Palygamy
Rabbenu Gershom Me'or Hagolah a"h
born approx. 960 - died 1040
A noted leader of Ashkenazic Jewry during its formative years, Rabbenu Gershom ben Yehuda Me'or Hagolah was probably born in Metz, in the Rhineland, but spent most of his life in nearby Mainz. He studied under R' Yehuda Leontin and, some say, in Babylon, under R' Hai Gaon
R' Gershom's yeshivah in Mainz was the major center of Torah study in its day, and the students of this academy produced many important commentaries on the Talmud. The most famous of these was written by Rashi, who studied under two of R' Gershom's disciples, R' Yaakov ben Yakar and R' Yitzchak ben Yehuda. R' Gershom was greatly revered throughout the generations, as evidenced by his title "Me'or Hagolah"/"The Light of the Exile."
R' Gershom corrected the text of the Talmud from reliable manuscripts, thereby clarifying many obscure passages. (Rashi had access to a Talmud written in R' Gershom's own hand.) R' Gershom also wrote a Talmud commentary and it is printed in some volumes of the standard Vilna edition of the Talmud.
R' Gershom is best known for the enactments which were enacted by rabbinic synods at his behest. These include a prohibition on polygamy and a prohibition on divorcing one's wife against her will. These decrees are accepted by Ashkenazic Jews throughout the world. R' Gershom's responsa, too, were considered authoritative by Ashkenazic Jewry. He also composed liturgical poetry which was noted for its depth, power, and simplicity. One of these is Zechor Brit Avraham, which is recited during Ne'ilah of Yom Kippur
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