Samuel ben Ali

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]

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]

References

1. "Samuel ben Ali | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
2. Rustow, Marina (2010-10-01). "Ibn al-Dastūr, Samuel ben ʿAlī". Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World.
3. Sklare, David Eric; Hophni, Samuel Ben (1996). Samuel Ben Ḥofni Gaon and His Cultural World: Texts and Studies. BRILL. p. 83. ISBN 978-90-04-10302-3.
4. Pethahiah, p. 9f; L. Greenhut (1905), 10.
5. Rustow, Marina (2010-10-01). "Ibn al-Dastūr, Samuel ben ʿAlī". Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World.
6. Graetz, Heinrich (2018-07-11). History of the Jews, Vol. 3 (of 6). Litres. ISBN 978-5-04-083193-7.
7. רבקה פלדחי ועמנואל אטקס, חינוך והיסטוריה - הקשרים תרבותיים ופוליטיים, עמוד 81, הוצאת מרכז זלמן שזר לתולדות ישראל, ירושלים, ה'תשנ"ט
8. Baumgarten, Albert I.; Assmann, Jan; Stroumsa, Gedaliahu A. G.; Stroumsa, Guy G. (1998). Self, Soul, and Body in Religious Experience. BRILL. p. 314. ISBN 978-90-04-10943-8.
9. "Samuel ben Ali | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
10. She'elot u-Teshuvot ha-Rambam, ed. by J. Blau, 3 (1961), 142 no. 464
11. Davidson, Herbert A. (2005). Moses Maimonides: The Man and His Works. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 520. ISBN 978-0-19-517321-5.
12. Kraemer, Joel L. (2008). Maimonides: The Life and World of One of Civilization's Greatest Minds. Doubleday. p. 413. ISBN 978-1-61523-163-8.
13. Parry, Aaron (2004-07-06). The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud: Wisdom of the Ages About Law, Religion, Science, Mathematics, Philosophy, and More. Penguin. ISBN 978-1-4406-9617-6.
14. Assaf, S. (1930). "Letters of R. Samuel ben Eli and his Contemporaries (Contin.) / קובץ של אגרות ר' שמואל בן עלי ובני דורו (המשך)" [Letters of R. Samuel ben Eli and his Contemporaries (contin.)]. Tarbiẕ (in Hebrew). 1 (2): 43–84. JSTOR 23580522.

Preceded by Solomon

Babylonian Gaon circa 1060-1194

Succeeded by Zechariah ben Berakhel