Editing Rudolf I of Germany (section)

== Persecution of the Jews ==
In 1286, Rudolf I instituted a new persecution of the Jews, declaring them ''servi camerae'' ("serfs of the treasury"), which had the effect of negating their political freedoms. Along with many others, Rabbi [[Meir of Rothenburg]] left Germany with family and followers, but was captured in [[Lombardy]] and imprisoned in a fortress in [[Alsace]]. Tradition has it that a large ransom of 23,000 [[Mark (weight)|marks]] silver was raised for him (by the [[Asher ben Jehiel|Rosh]]), but Rabbi Meir refused it, for fear of encouraging the imprisonment of other rabbis. He died in prison after seven years. Fourteen years after his death a ransom was paid for his body by [[Alexander ben Shlomo]] (Susskind) Wimpfen, who was subsequently laid to rest beside the Maharam.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/day.asp?id=265714&tDate=3/4/2006#265714 | title=Saturday, March 4, 2006 / Adar 4, 5766 - Jewish Calendar - Hebrew Calendar }}</ref>