R. Yom Tov Lipmann ben Nathan ha-Levi Heller (1579–1654) was educated in the home of his grandfather, R. Moses Wallerstein, as well as, among others, R. Judah Loew ben Bezalel (the Maharal) of Prague. Besides his great talmudic knowledge, he engaged in the study of Kabbalah, religious philosophy, and Hebrew grammar and also acquired an extensive general knowledge, particularly of mathematics, astronomy, and natural sciences. In 1597, when only 18 years of age, he was appointed dayyan in Prague, and served in this office for 28 years, during which period he acquired renown for his profound knowledge and for his integrity. In 1625 he was appointed rabbi of Nikolsburg (Moravia) but in that same year moved to Vienna where he was elected av bet din. In 1627 he returned to Prague.

R. Heller was imprisoned on June 25, 1629 due to slander by enemies to the emperor Ferdinand II, accusing him of contempt of the state and of insulting Christianity. His sentence to death by a court of Catholic priests was, “by grace of the emperor,” commuted to a large monetary fine. Through the efforts of the Jews of Prague the other heavy penalties imposed were partly reduced. After spending 40 days in prison he returned to Prague in August 1629. He subsequently served as rabbi in a number of important communities, among them Cracow. A prolific writer, he is best known for his commentary on the Mishnah.

קדשים. ש'נ'ה' ט'ו'ב'ה' [שע"ז, 1616]. קיז דף. מעבר לשער: "אמר יום טוב... שכאשר הייתי יושב ומחבר מהדורא בתרא דנזיקין וכבר היו דפוסין... סדרי זרעים מועד ונשים... בא אלי... ר' יודא ליב... בן ר' דוד הכהן ז"ל מתושבי עיר בודן... בתשורה... פירוש המשניות להרמב"ם... שלשה סדרי' מוגהים ומדוקדקים... זרעים קדשים וטהרות גם מס' אבות... אך למחסור מהם חולין נדה וברכות... מצאתי... היא נוסחא ומהדורא אחרינא והרמב"ם עצמו באחרונה עשאה קאמינא. על כן מידי דברי בה... בשם נוסחת ארץ ישראל אקראנה ולפעמים בסימני חצי ירח ארשמנה... כי מארץ הקדושה ... הובאה".