R. Horowitz, (called Shelah ha-Kadosh, "the holy Shelah," from the initials of the title of his major work), rabbi, kabalist, and communal leader was born in Prague, but as a youth he moved to Poland with his father, who was his first teacher. He studied there under Rabbi Solomon b. Judah of Cracow, Rabbi Meir of Lublin (the Maharam), and Rabbi Joshua Falk and gained a reputation among Polish scholars while still young. In 1621, after the death of his wife, he moved to Erez Israel and settled in Jerusalem, where he remarried and became the rabbi of the Ashkenazi community. He died in Tiberias where his grave (close to that of Maimonides) is still visited. His name carries with it the surname “The Holy” as he dedicated his life and work to the Jewish nation. Early editions of his works are considered to be “protectors from evil” for their owners and are sought after by generations of Jews.