Abigdor Ben Elijah Ha-Kohen (Called Also Abigdor Cohen Ẓedeḳ)

The earliest of the great Talmudists of Austria; flourished about the middle of the thirteenth century. He was the pupil of R. Simḥa of Speyer (who flourished about 1220), but he knew also R. Joel ha-Levi of Bonn (who flourished about 1175). Abigdor lived in Vienna, and from there administered the religious affairs of the Jewish population of Austria. Of his writings we possess only a commentary on the Pentateuch and the five Megillot, which still exist in manuscript. From various sources we know that he also wrote Tosafot to the treatise Ketubot. The most prominent scholars of Germany often applied to him for advice on difficult ritualistic problems, theoretical or practical, and attached great importance to his decisions. He had also distinguished pupils, among whom was the eminent Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg.

Bibliography:

  * Michael, Or ha-Ḥayyim, No. 10;
  * Zunz, Z. G. pp. 38, 42, 193.



L. G.