Asher ben Meshullam
Encyclopedia
Rabbeinu Asher ben Meshullam was a Jewish theologian and Talmudic scholar who lived at Lunel
in the second half of the twelfth century CE. A renowned Talmudist, he was a son of the well-known Rabbeinu Meshullam ben Jacob
(Rabbeinu Meshullam ha-Gadol), and a pupil of Rabbeinu Joseph ibn Plat
and the Ravad
(Rabbeinu Abraham ben David) of Posquières, whose ascctic tendencies he shared. Benjamin of Tudela
, in the first part of his "Travels," says that Rabbeinu Asher lived in complete seclusion, wholly devoted to the study of the Torah
, and that he never tasted meat
. At the same time Rabbeinu Asher was not hostile to philosophy
. Rabbeinu Yehudah Ibn Tibbon
in a letter to Rabbeinu Asher, praised his fondness for science, and in his testament exhorted his son to cultivate Rabbeinu Asher's friendship. Rabbeinu Asher's alleged leaning toward the Kabbalah
, mentioned by Heinrich Graetz
, is countered; that the fact that he was responsible for the translation of Solomon ibn Gabirol
's Tikkun Midoth ha-Nefesh is no proof for or against his kabbalistic leanings; the kabbalists had a strong leaning toward ibn Gabirol's mysticism
; and, after all, the above-mentioned work of Gabirol is moral, rather than strictly philosophical, in its tendencies.
Rabbeinu Asher was the author of several Talmudic works, of which the following are cited by title: Hilkhoth Yom Tov, ("Rules for the Holidays"); Sefer ha-Matanoth, ("The Book of Gifts") a work referring perhaps to the tithe
s payable to the kohanim. Neither of these writings seems to have been preserved. According to an entry in the manuscript of the small Midrash
Aseret ha-Dibberot
, Rabbeinu Asher was its author, but the statement is not verifiable.
. Funk and Wagnalls, 1901–1906; which contains the following bibliography:
Lunel
Lunel is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France. Lunel is located east of Montpellier and southwest of Nîmes .-History:The ancient Roman site of Ambrussum is located nearby. The troubadour Folquet de Lunel was from Lunel....
in the second half of the twelfth century CE. A renowned Talmudist, he was a son of the well-known Rabbeinu Meshullam ben Jacob
Meshullam ben Jacob
Rabbeinu Meshullam son of Jacob also known as Rabbeinu Meshullam hagodol was a Franco-Jewish Talmudist of the twelfth century CE...
(Rabbeinu Meshullam ha-Gadol), and a pupil of Rabbeinu Joseph ibn Plat
Joseph ibn Plat
Joseph ibn Plat was a Rabbinical authority of the twelfth century CE. He is presumed to have been born in southern Spain, whence he went to Provence and settled in Lunel, though Epstein is of opinion that he was born in the Byzantine Empire. If this is so, he may be identical with the Joseph whom...
and the Ravad
Abraham ben David
Rabbeinu Abraham ben David was a Provençal rabbi, a great commentator on the Talmud, Sefer Halachot of Rabbi Yitzhak Alfasi and Mishne Torah of Maimonides, and is regarded as a father of Kabbalah and one of the key and important links in the chain of Jewish mystics...
(Rabbeinu Abraham ben David) of Posquières, whose ascctic tendencies he shared. Benjamin of Tudela
Benjamin of Tudela
Benjamin of Tudela was a medieval Jewish traveler who visited Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 12th century. His vivid descriptions of western Asia preceded those of Marco Polo by a hundred years...
, in the first part of his "Travels," says that Rabbeinu Asher lived in complete seclusion, wholly devoted to the study of the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
, and that he never tasted meat
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
. At the same time Rabbeinu Asher was not hostile to philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. Rabbeinu Yehudah Ibn Tibbon
Judah ben Saul ibn Tibbon
Judah ben Saul ibn Tibbon was a translator and physician.Born in Granada, he left Spain in 1150, probably on account persecution by the Almohades, and went to Lunel in southern France. Benjamin of Tudela mentions him as a physician there in 1160...
in a letter to Rabbeinu Asher, praised his fondness for science, and in his testament exhorted his son to cultivate Rabbeinu Asher's friendship. Rabbeinu Asher's alleged leaning toward the Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
, mentioned by Heinrich Graetz
Heinrich Graetz
Heinrich Graetz was amongst the first historians to write a comprehensive history of the Jewish people from a Jewish perspective....
, is countered; that the fact that he was responsible for the translation of Solomon ibn Gabirol
Solomon ibn Gabirol
Solomon ibn Gabirol, also Solomon ben Judah , was an Andalucian Hebrew poet and Jewish philosopher with a Neoplatonic bent. He was born in Málaga about 1021; died about 1058 in Valencia.-Biography:...
's Tikkun Midoth ha-Nefesh is no proof for or against his kabbalistic leanings; the kabbalists had a strong leaning toward ibn Gabirol's mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
; and, after all, the above-mentioned work of Gabirol is moral, rather than strictly philosophical, in its tendencies.
Rabbeinu Asher was the author of several Talmudic works, of which the following are cited by title: Hilkhoth Yom Tov, ("Rules for the Holidays"); Sefer ha-Matanoth, ("The Book of Gifts") a work referring perhaps to the tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
s payable to the kohanim. Neither of these writings seems to have been preserved. According to an entry in the manuscript of the small Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
Aseret ha-Dibberot
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
, Rabbeinu Asher was its author, but the statement is not verifiable.
Resources
Kohler, Kaufmann and Louis Ginzberg. "Asher b. Meshullam." Jewish EncyclopediaJewish Encyclopedia
The Jewish Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia originally published in New York between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. It contained over 15,000 articles in 12 volumes on the history and then-current state of Judaism and the Jews as of 1901...
. Funk and Wagnalls, 1901–1906; which contains the following bibliography:
- Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai ben Isaac Zerachia , commonly known as the Chida , was a Jerusalem born rabbinical scholar, a noted bibliophile, and a pioneer in the publication of Jewish religious writings.- Biography :Azulai was born in Jerusalem, where he received his education...
, Shem ha-Gedolim, ed. Wilna, p. 34; - Heinrich GraetzHeinrich GraetzHeinrich Graetz was amongst the first historians to write a comprehensive history of the Jewish people from a Jewish perspective....
, Geschichte der Juden, 3d ed., vi. 203; - Henri Gross, Gallia Judaica, pp. 280-281;
- Ernest RenanErnest RenanErnest Renan was a French expert of Middle East ancient languages and civilizations, philosopher and writer, devoted to his native province of Brittany...
and Adolphe Neubauer, Les Ecrivains Juifs Français, pp. 468-469; - Yakov Reifmann, Toledot Rabbenu Zerahaya, p. 48;
- Literaturblatt des Orients, 1849, p. 481;
- Michael, Or ha-Ḥayyim, No. 552.K. L. G.