Shimon of Mancha ben Eleazer HaGadol, from Lucca

R’ Shimon b. Eliezer (HaGadol) Another Gadol who founded a rabbinic dynasty (which intermarried with that of R’ Kalonymos) was R’ Shimon HaGadol (died c. 1020), whose ancestors lived in Le Mans in northern France. Either he or his father moved to Mayence where he became Rosh Yeshiva together with R’ Gershom Me’or HaGolah (see page 117). Rabbenu Tam says of him that “miracles were common with him,” and the Or Zarua (see above) quotes a question that came “before the saintly R’ Gershom and R’ Shimon.” His halachic legacy is not large, and he is best remembered for the beautiful poetry he wrote, some of which is included in the liturgy.