DEL VECCHIO

DEL VECCHIO, Italian family; according to one of its traditions, it ranks among the most ancient Jewish families of Italy. In Hebrew sources it is also referred to as Min ha-Zekenim ("the old ones" – a literal translation of Del Vecchio). Its members include SAMUEL MAHALALEL DEL VECCHIO (16th century), born in Ferrara where he served as rabbi. His name and knowledge of halakhah are mentioned in the responsa of Jehiel b. Azriel Trabot (in manuscript). He wrote Sefer ha-Tikkunim or Haggahot ha-Rif. ABRAHAM BEN SHABBETAI (d. 1654), born in Mantua, lived for some time in Sassuolo and served as rabbi of Mantua. He wrote a number of halakhic works; several of his responsa are included in works of contemporary scholars, such as Samuel Aboab in his responsa, Devar Shemu'el (Venice, 1702; no. 19). SOLOMON DAVID BEN MOSES (late 17th and early 18th century) was born in Lugo, near Ferrara, where he spent most of his life as rabbi of the town. He was a contemporary of isaac lampronti , who mentions him with approval in his Paḥad Yiẓḥak and includes two of his responsa there. One of his responsa on the laying of tefillin during the intermediate days of the festival is quoted by Samson Morpurgo in his responsa Shemesh Ẓedakah (I, 4). His name is also mentioned with esteem in Sefat Emet by Nissim Mattathias Terni (1797, p. 16). His pupils included his grandson, Shabbetai Elhanan b. Elisha del vecchio . SOLOMON MOSES (18th century) was rabbi in Sinigaglia. His name and erudition in halakhah are mentioned in Isaac Lampronti's Paḥad Yiẓḥak. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Ghirondi-Neppi, 9, 325; L. Blau, Kitvei Yehudah Aryeh mi-Modena (1905), 99; M. Benayahu, in: Sinai, Sefer Yovel (1958), 493, 495; S. Simonsohn, Toledot ha-Yehudim be-Dukkasut Mantovah, 2 vols. (1963–65), index. (Guiseppe Laras)