Yiṣḥaq b. Shemuʾel ha-Sefaradi

Description / Bio

He was one of two head judges in Fustat from the late 11th century until at least 1127 (together with Avraham b. Shemaʿya). He already appears as an important figure, "the great Rav," in a letter addressed to him by Evyatar Gaʾon, which bears the date 1091. Well over a hundred court deeds signed by him have survived in the Geniza. In addition, there are letters sent to him, and letters he wrote to others. He had two sons, Yehosef and Ḥiyya. Ḥiyya succeeded him as head judge and was also active for several decades. He wrote dozens of liturgical poems, a commentary on the Former Prophets, commentaries on Talmudic tractates, legal compositions on several subjects – which partially survived in the geniza and elsewhere. His compositions are also mentioned in several book lists found in the Geniza. His signature as 'Sefaradi' shows that he, or his father, immigrated from the Muslim parts of the Iberian peninsula.