Judah ben Eliezer ha-Levi Minz
Encyclopedia
Judah ben Eliezer ha-Levi Minz (ca. 1405-1508), also known as Mahari Minz, was the most prominent Italian rabbi
of his time. He officiated as rabbi of Padua
for forty-seven years, during which time he had a great number of pupils, among whom were his son Abraham Minz, and the latter's son-in-law Meir Katzenellenbogen. In a quarrel he had with Elijah Delmedigo, he was supported by Elijah Mizrahi
It appears from Solomon Luria
's responsa that Minz was the author of a number of ordinances (takanot) at Padua. According to Ghirondi, he was professor of philosophy at the University of Padua
. Ghirondi further states that in recognition of Minz's services as professor, the authorities of the university placed his portrait, with an appreciative inscription, in the hall of the university, over the staircase. But it is very likely that Ghirondi confounded Minz with Elijah Delmedigo or Abraham de Balmes
, both of whom lectured on philosophy before Christian audiences. In the sack of Padua soon after Minz's death almost all of his writings were destroyed. Joseph ben Abraham Minz, his grandson, discovered sixteen of his responsa, and these were published by Meïr Katzenellenbogen, who printed in the same volume his own responsa and the Seder Gittin wa-chalitzah of Abraham Minz. These responsa have been edited, and supplemented with an extended commentary and preface, by Johanan ben Moses Preschel. Judah's responsa, though scanty, afford interesting information on the history of his age and on Jewish customs in Padua. In 1505 he partook in Birkat Hachama and was then already over one hundred years old. He died at Padua in 1508.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
of his time. He officiated as rabbi of Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
for forty-seven years, during which time he had a great number of pupils, among whom were his son Abraham Minz, and the latter's son-in-law Meir Katzenellenbogen. In a quarrel he had with Elijah Delmedigo, he was supported by Elijah Mizrahi
It appears from Solomon Luria
Solomon Luria
Solomon Luria was one of the great Ashkenazic poskim and teachers of his time. He is known for his work of Halakha, Yam Shel Shlomo, and his Talmudic commentary Chochmat Shlomo...
's responsa that Minz was the author of a number of ordinances (takanot) at Padua. According to Ghirondi, he was professor of philosophy at the University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
. Ghirondi further states that in recognition of Minz's services as professor, the authorities of the university placed his portrait, with an appreciative inscription, in the hall of the university, over the staircase. But it is very likely that Ghirondi confounded Minz with Elijah Delmedigo or Abraham de Balmes
Abraham de Balmes
Abraham de Balmes ben Meir Abraham de Balmes ben Meir Abraham de Balmes ben Meir (born at Lecce, in the kingdom of Naples; died at Venice, 1523 was Italian Jewish physician and translator of the early 16th century....
, both of whom lectured on philosophy before Christian audiences. In the sack of Padua soon after Minz's death almost all of his writings were destroyed. Joseph ben Abraham Minz, his grandson, discovered sixteen of his responsa, and these were published by Meïr Katzenellenbogen, who printed in the same volume his own responsa and the Seder Gittin wa-chalitzah of Abraham Minz. These responsa have been edited, and supplemented with an extended commentary and preface, by Johanan ben Moses Preschel. Judah's responsa, though scanty, afford interesting information on the history of his age and on Jewish customs in Padua. In 1505 he partook in Birkat Hachama and was then already over one hundred years old. He died at Padua in 1508.
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Fuenn, Keneset Yisrael, p. 412;
- Frankel, in Orient, Lit. vii. 520 et seq.;
- Heinrich Grätz, Gesch. 3d ed., viii. 253 et seq.;
- Michael, Or ha-Ḥayyim, No. 1020;
- Graziadio Nepi-Mordecai GhirondiMordecai GhirondiMordecai Samuel ben Benzion Aryeh Ghirondi was an Italian Jewish author and chief rabbi of Padua....
, Toledot Gedole Yisrael, pp. 122-124; - Preschel, in the preface to his edition of Minz's responsa;
- Moritz SteinschneiderMoritz SteinschneiderMoritz Steinschneider was a Bohemian bibliographer and Orientalist. He received his early instruction in Hebrew from his father, Jacob Steinschneider , who was not only an expert Talmudist, but was also well versed in secular science...
, Cat. Bodl. col. 1344.