Jacob Ben Hananeel Sekili (= "Of Sicily")

Bible commentator and cabalist; lived in the fourteenth century. He was the author of "Minḥat ha-Bikkurim," the first part of which, "Torat ha-Minḥah," is still extant in manuscript (Neubauer, "Cat. Bodl. Hebr. MSS." Nos. 984-986). It contains homilies on Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, delivered on Sabbath afternoons. The author knew Arabic, quotes Maimonides, and refers to his own large commentary on the Pentateuch, entitled "Talmud Torah." Each section is brought into connection with some verses from the Prophets, and cabalistic explanations are frequent. He wrote also a work on Palestine, treating of localities and of the tombs of prominent men.

Bibliography:

  * Yuḥasin, ed. London, p. 228;
  * Azulai, Shem ha-Gedolim, ii. 153;
  * Steinschneider, Jewish Literature, p. 104;
  * Fuenn, Keneset Yisrael, p. 570;
  * Gross, Gallia Judaica, p. 434.



K. I. Br.