Samson of Chinon
Encyclopedia
Samson ben Isaac of Chinon (c. 1260 – c. 1330) (Hebrew: שמשון מקינון) was a French Talmudist who lived at Chinon
. In Talmudic literature he is generally called after his native place, Chinon (Hebr. קינון), and sometimes by the abbreviation MaHaRShaḲ. He was a contemporary of Perez Kohen Gerondi, who, as reported by Isaac ben Sheshet
, declared Samson to be the greatest rabbinical authority of his time (Responsa
, No. 157).
The "Sefer Keritut," owing to its easy style and its author's great authority, became a classic.
Samson wrote also responsa
, several of which are quoted by Joseph Colon (Responsa, No. 187) and Solomon ben Adret (Responsa, iii., No. 1; iv., No. 152). According to Gross, Samson was the author of the supercommentary on Ibn Ezra
's commentary on the Pentateuch found by Judah Mosconi at Perpignan
between 1363 and 1375 (Halberstam MS.). As regards the word (ממרשילאה = "of Marseilles"), which appears in the manuscript after the name Samson of Chinon, Gross believes that Samson settled at Marseilles after the banishment of the Jews from France.
Chinon
Chinon is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France well known for Château de Chinon.In the Middle Ages, Chinon developed especially during the reign of Henry II . The castle was rebuilt and extended, becoming one of his favorite residences...
. In Talmudic literature he is generally called after his native place, Chinon (Hebr. קינון), and sometimes by the abbreviation MaHaRShaḲ. He was a contemporary of Perez Kohen Gerondi, who, as reported by Isaac ben Sheshet
Isaac ben Sheshet
Isaac ben Sheshet Perfet was a Spanish Talmudic authority, also known by his acronym, Rivash . He was born at Valencia and settled early in life at Barcelona, where he studied under Perez ha-Kohen, under Hasdai ben Judah, and especially under R...
, declared Samson to be the greatest rabbinical authority of his time (Responsa
Responsa
Responsa comprise a body of written decisions and rulings given by legal scholars in response to questions addressed to them.-In the Roman Empire:Roman law recognised responsa prudentium, i.e...
, No. 157).
Works
Samson was the author of the following works:- Sefer Keritut (Constantinople, 1515), a methodology of the Talmud divided into five parts:
- Bet Middot, treating of the thirteen rules of R. Ishmael
- Bet ha-Miḳdash, on the rules for deductions by analogy and conclusions a fortiori
- Netibot 'Olam, containing explanations of the 32 rules of R. Eliezer ben Jose ha-Gelili
- Yemot 'Olam, giving the names of the TannaimTannaimThe Tannaim were the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 130 years...
and Amoraim, and setting forth a method for deciding between the contrary opinions of two doctors - Leshon Limmudim, explanations of certain halakic decisions.
The "Sefer Keritut," owing to its easy style and its author's great authority, became a classic.
- Ḳonṭres, a commentary on the Talmudic treatises Erubin and Abodah Zarah; mentioned in the Sefer Keritut.
- Bi'ur ha-Geṭ (Vienna MS. No. 48), on the laws concerning divorce.
Samson wrote also responsa
Responsa
Responsa comprise a body of written decisions and rulings given by legal scholars in response to questions addressed to them.-In the Roman Empire:Roman law recognised responsa prudentium, i.e...
, several of which are quoted by Joseph Colon (Responsa, No. 187) and Solomon ben Adret (Responsa, iii., No. 1; iv., No. 152). According to Gross, Samson was the author of the supercommentary on Ibn Ezra
Abraham ibn Ezra
Rabbi Abraham ben Meir Ibn Ezra was born at Tudela, Navarre in 1089, and died c. 1167, apparently in Calahorra....
's commentary on the Pentateuch found by Judah Mosconi at Perpignan
Perpignan
-Sport:Perpignan is a rugby stronghold: their rugby union side, USA Perpignan, is a regular competitor in the Heineken Cup and seven times champion of the Top 14 , while their rugby league side plays in the engage Super League under the name Catalans Dragons.-Culture:Since 2004, every year in the...
between 1363 and 1375 (Halberstam MS.). As regards the word (ממרשילאה = "of Marseilles"), which appears in the manuscript after the name Samson of Chinon, Gross believes that Samson settled at Marseilles after the banishment of the Jews from France.
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- 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, i. 182; - Leopold ZunzLeopold ZunzLeopold Zunz was a German Reform rabbi and writer, the founder of what has been termed "Jewish Studies" or "Judaic Studies" , the critical investigation of Jewish literature, hymnology and ritual...
, Z. G. p. 44; - S.D. Luzzatto, Halikot Kedem, p. 46;
- Halberstam, in Jeshurun, 1866, pp. 167-168; Magazin, iii. 47;
- 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...
-Adolf NeubauerAdolf NeubauerAdolf Neubauer was sublibrarian at the Bodleian Library and reader in Rabbinic Hebrew at Oxford University....
, Les Rabbins Français, p. 461; - Henri Gross, Gallia Judaica, pp. 581 et seq.
External links
- Jewish Encyclopedia article for Samson of Chinon, by Wilhelm BacherWilhelm BacherWilhelm Bacher was a Jewish Hungarian scholar, rabbi, Orientalist and linguist, born in Liptó-Szent-Miklós, Hungary to the Hebrew writer Simon Bacher. Wilhelm was himself an incredibly prolific writer, authoring or co-authoring approximately 750 works in an unfortunately short life...
and Isaac BroydéIsaac BroydéIsaac David Broydé was a Jewish Orientalist and librarian.-Life:...
.