R. Raphael b. Eliezer Meldola (1645–1748), was born in Leghorn, and continued in the tradition of his family of Sephardi rabbis and scholars. The family originated in the 15th century in Meldola, northern Italy; the legend that they descended from Spanish exiles cannot be substantiated. Members of the family settled in Leghorn, entering thus into the tradition of Sephardi life. For the next 200 years they provided rabbis, printers, and leaders to the Sephardi communities in Holland, Italy, France, and England. Among his many works are four volumes of responsa Maim Rabim (Amsterdam 1737).

עם "ספיקות שהעירו חכמי... אמשטרדם... על הפסק דין" (דף ח,ב- ט,ב) ו"הסכמת הפסק דין הנ"ל מחכמי... אמשטרדם" (דף יב,ב-יג,א): ר' דוד ישראל עטיעס[!], ר' יצחק חיים ן' דנא די בריטו ור' דוד לופיס ישורון. דף יג,א-יו,א: השגות שהשיג הרב... שבתי נאואי זלה"ה... בהיותו מתגורר בק"ק ליוורנו.