Page "Eleazar of Worms" Paragraph 2

Eleazar was most likely born in Mainz.

He was a descendant of the great Kalonymus family of Mainz, and a disciple of Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg ( Judah he-Hasid ), who initiated him into the study of the esoterica, at that time little known in Germany.

According to Zunz, Eleazar was hazzan at Erfurt before he became rabbi at Worms.

He was a signatory to the Takkanot Shum.

Eleazar underwent great sufferings during the Crusades.

On the night of 22 Kislev, 1196, he was engaged on his commentary on Genesis ( he relates that he had reached the parshah Vayeshev ), when two crusaders entered his house and killed his wife Dulcina, his two daughters Belat and Hannah, and his son Jacob.

His wife had conducted a business in parchment scrolls in order to support the family and enable him to devote all his time to study.

Many of the piyyutim he authored protest at Israel's suffering and hope for redemption and revenge against her tormentors.