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Isaac ben-Schescheth

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(Barfat), one of the most distinguished Rabbis of the 14th century, was born about 1310, at or near Saragossa (Spain). He presided over the congregation at Saragossa for a- number of years, and when, in 1391, the persecutions instituted against the Jews made it impossible for him to remain, he removed to Algiers, where he continued to hold a like position until his death, about 1444, and appointed as his successor the celebrated Simon ben-Simach Duran (q.v.). He was especially celebrated for his thorough acquaintance with Jewish tradition. Not only from all parts of Spain, but from the different parts of Europe, he was constantly invited to express his opinion on the meaning of obscure Talmudical passages. These were collected, and form a very important source for the study of the interpretation of the Talmud, and convey at the same time a pretty accurate idea of the state of the Jews in his day, not only in Spain and Algiers, but in France and even other countries as well His works are שְׁאֵלוֹת וּחְשׁוּבוֹת, a collection of Halachoth (edited by Samuel Levi in 2 parts, Constantinople, 1547, fol. and often): — פֵּ עִל הִתּוֹרָה, or Commentary on the Pentateuch, with notes from the Talmud:: - חַדּוּשַׁים, also a work on the Talmud. The latter two, we think, still remain in MS. form. See Gritz, Gesch. d. Juden, 8:33 sq., 109 sq.; Jost, Gesch. d. Judenthums, 3, 87; Furst, Biblioth. Judaica, 2, 145. (J. H. W.)