Former authorities, literally, “First Ones,” meaning Torah scholars who lived after the period of the Geonim, traditionally dated 1038 CE, and before the compilation of the Shulhan ‘Arukh in 1563, which marks the beginning of the period of Aharonim, latter authorities or “Last Ones.” Among the most well-known and impactful Rishonim are Rif,Rashi, Rambam, the…