Samuel ben Ali
Iraqi rabbi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shmuel ben Ali ha-Levi (Hebrew: שמואל בן עלי הלוי, also Samuel ben Ali ibn al-Dastur; died 1194) was the most noteworthy of the twelfth-century Babylonian scholars[1] and the only one of his era whose written works have survived in any significant number.[2]
Shmuel ben Ali ha-Levi | |
|---|---|
| Title | Gaon of Baghdad |
| Died | 1194 |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Solomon |
| Successor | Zechariah ben Berakhel |
| Yeshiva | Pumbedita Academy (Baghdad) |
Biography
Samuel served as head of the academy in Baghdad for nearly thirty years and was a recognized leader of neighboring countries as well.[3][4] He appointed judges throughout Iraq, Iran, and Syria,[5] and presided over many congregations throughout Asia. His Talmudic lectures were attended by thousands of pupils, each who had undergone a preparatory course in advance.[6] He was also well-versed in the field of astrology.[7] A description of Samuel and his grandeur is provided by Petachiah of Regensburg in his medieval diary.
Samuel had a strong personality and clashed with Maimonides on a variety of occasions.[8] Samuel wrote glosses to Maimonides’ works,[9] and the latter addressed them in a letter to his student, Joseph b. Judah.[10] Samuel criticized Maimonides’ position on resurrection and the world to come and had fiercely debated Maimonides’ student, Joseph b. Judah, on these issues as well.[11] Additionally, circles associated with Samuel were disseminating propaganda attacking Maimonides’ positions.[12]
Samuel’s daughter had become reputable, under the name of Bat ha-Levi, for her Talmudic expertise and public lectures to students who would remain outside and listen, while she remained indoors and unseen.[13]
A collection of Samuel’s letters were published in Tarbiz.[14]