VIDAS, ELIJAH BEN MOSES DE
- VIDAS, ELIJAH BEN MOSES DE
- VIDAS, ELIJAH BEN MOSES DE (16th century),
kabbalist, author on morals, one of the great kabbalists of Safed. Vidas
was a disciple and close friend of moses cordovero , whom he
always called "my teacher" without mentioning his name. In 1575 he
completed his major work Reshit Ḥokhmah, one of the
outstanding books on morals in Judaism. In contrast with previous
authors in this field, Vidas included kabbalistic theories in his work,
which was aimed at a popular audience; in particular, he quoted at
length all that is said in the zohar on the question of morals and
religious conduct. Quotations from the Zohar were annotated from
manuscripts still found in Safed. The book is encyclopedic in character
and is divided into five long chapters, "Fear," "Love," "Repentance,"
"Holiness," and "Humility." Vidas added five chapters from
israel al-nakawa 's Menorat ha-Ma'or which was then
known only in manuscript. They include chapters on the
mitzvot, on education, on business dealings in good faith,
and on manners. At the end of these, he added Ḥuppot Eliyahu
Rabbah, a collection of rabbinical sayings which list qualities
(e.g., "three good qualities…"), and Or Olam, moralizing
sayings which open with the word "forever" or with the word "great"; for
example, "great is charity, even more than sacrifices."
Vidas' book is written in an easy and engaging style, avoiding
metaphors. It was immediately accepted as one of the most important
books on morals and was printed some 40 times. The first edition was
printed in Venice in 1579 during the author's lifetime. The date of
Vidas' death is still unknown. Because of its great length, his book was
summarized several times: Reshit Ḥokḥmah Kaẓar (Venice,
1600), completed in 1580 in Asti, Italy, by Jacob b. Mordecai Poggetti;
Tappuḥei Zahav, by
Jehiel Melli (Mantua, 1623); Toẓe'ot Ḥayyim (Cracow, before
1650) by Jacob Luzzatto, a preacher in Poznan. These three summaries
were published many times.
-BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Steinschneider, Cat Bod, 950–2, no. 4973; Michael, Or. 184–5; M.
Wilensky, in: HUCA, 14 (1939), 457–69; S.A. Horodezky,
Olei-Ẓiyyon (1947), 69–82.
(Gershom Scholem)
Encyclopedia Judaica.
1971.
Look at other dictionaries:
AARON SELIG BEN MOSES OF ZOLKIEW — (d. 1643), kabbalist. His father, Moses Hillel, was president of the Jewish community in Brest Litovsk; his brother Samuel was a parnas ( delegate ) in the Council of the Four Lands. Aaron wrote a compendium of the Zohar entitled Ammudei Sheva… … Encyclopedia of Judaism
KATZ, JOSEPH BEN ELIJAH — (17th century), writer of ethical works. Little is known about his life, except that he was av bet din in Zaslavl in the beginning of the 17th century. Joseph wrote Rekhev Eliyahu (Cracow, 1638). The book, which follows the order of Mishnah Avot … Encyclopedia of Judaism
Moses ben Jacob Cordovero — Cordovero s grave in Safed Moses ben Jacob Cordovero, (1522–1570) (Hebrew: משה קורדובירו), was a central figure in the historical development of Kabbalah, leader of a mystical school in 16th century Safed, Israel. He is known … Wikipedia
Hayyim ben Joseph Vital — (Calabria, 1543[1] – Damascus, 23 April 1620[2]) was a rabbi in Safed and the foremost disciple of Isaac Luria. He recorded much of his master s teachings. After Vital s death his writings spread having a powerful impact on various circles… … Wikipedia
BERLIN, ISAIAH BEN JUDAH LOEB — (Isaiah Pick; 1725–1799), rabbi and author. Berlin was known also as Isaiah Pick after his father in law, Wolf Pick of Breslau, who supported him for many years. He was born in Eisenstadt, Hungary, but his father, an eminent talmudic scholar (who … Encyclopedia of Judaism
AMELANDER (also Amlander), MENAHEM MANN BEN SOLOMON HA-LEVI — (1698–1767?), Hebrew grammarian, publisher, translator, and historian. He was born in Amsterdam, went to a yeshivah in Prague, and was a student of moses frankfurter , a dayyan and publisher in Amsterdam, whose Mikra ot Gedolot edition of the… … Encyclopedia of Judaism
HOROWITZ, SHABBETAI SHEFTEL BEN AKIVA — (c. 1561–1619), author of kabbalistic works. Horowitz was a son of Akiva, called the holy, and a cousin of isaiah horowitz , author of Shenei Luḥot ha Berit. He was born in Prague where he practiced as a physician. Considering Kabbalah the only… … Encyclopedia of Judaism
LURIA, ISAAC BEN SOLOMON — (1534–1572), kabbalist, referred to as Ha Ari (האר״י; the (sacred) lion from the initials of האלוהי רבי יצחק; Ha Elohi Rabbi Yiẓḥak, the divine Rabbi ). This cognomen was in use by the end of the 16th century, apparently at first in kabbalistic… … Encyclopedia of Judaism
Isaac ben Samuel of Acre — (fl. 13th 14th century) (Hebrew: יצחק בן שמואל דמן עכו, Yitzhak ben Shmuel d min Akko ) was a kabbalist who lived in the Land of Israel. According to Azulai ( Shem ha Gedolim ) he was a pupil of Nahmanides. He was at Acre when that town was taken … Wikipedia
ABRAHAM BEN ELIEZER HA-LEVI BERUKHIM — (c. 1515–1593), pious ascetic and Safed kabbalist. Born in Morocco, he immigrated to Palestine probably before 1565. In Safed he joined moses cordovero s circle and became a friend of elijah de vidas . When isaac luria went to Safed (late 1569),… … Encyclopedia of Judaism