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Radbaz

Radbaz

1479 CE1573 CE · Acharonim · Spain (medieval)

Rabbi David ibn Zimra (1479–1573), known as the Radbaz from the acronym of his name, was one of the most prominent Sephardic halakhic authorities of the sixteenth century. Born in Spain and later active in Safed and Egypt, he served as chief rabbi of Cairo and was deeply engaged in the revival of Jewish life in Ottoman lands following the Spanish Expulsion of 1492. A prolific author of responsa (she'elot u-teshuvot), he addressed hundreds of halakhic questions from communities across the Mediterranean and Near East, earning respect for his erudition and practical wisdom. His collected responsa remain an authoritative source for Sephardic Jewish law and custom, and he was also known for his involvement in the attempt to revive rabbinic ordination (semicha) in Eretz Israel.

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Spain (medieval)ספרדIberian Peninsula

What they did here

Born in Spain around 1479; expelled with all Spanish Jewry in 1492 at about age 13.

About Spain (medieval)

Medieval Iberian Peninsula; home to many Rishonim including Nahmanides, Ran, Rashba, and Yosef ibn Habib.

In Spain (medieval) at the same time

Yosef Taitazak, Shlomo Sirilio, Ketem Paz author, David HaReuveni

See other sages who lived in Spain (medieval)

In the same place & time

Sages whose lives overlapped with Radbaz’s in the same cities, drawn from their recorded journeys.

The world in their lifetime

Thinkers and teachers of other traditions whose lives overlapped with Radbaz’s — a glimpse of the wider world they lived in. Drawn purely from recorded birth and death years.

Works(2)

Metzudot Davidמצודות דוד

Tzfat · 1560

Commentary on the Pentateuch combining grammatical and halakhic interpretation, known for its conciseness and clarity.

Full text not yet available in our corpus.

Shut Radbazשו״ת רדב״ז

Fostat (Old Cairo) · 1550

Comprehensive responsa collection addressing halakhic questions across all areas of Jewish law, widely cited by subsequent authorities.

Full text not yet available in our corpus.

Related figuresRambamSuggested by shared subject matter, not a documented teaching relationship.