Tam, Rabbenu

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Tam, Rabbenu ( Jacob ben Meir, c.1100–71). French Jew and one of the leading tosafists. His name tam (‘perfect man’) derived from Genesis 25. 27, ‘Jacob was a tam dwelling in tents.’ He headed the yeshivah at Ramerupt, his birthplace, and became recognized as the greatest halakhic authority in his day. He issued many responsa, generally taking a lenient line, and so far as possible he adhered to the text of Talmud. His best-known work is Sefer ha-Yashar (Book of the Upright).