Name Yom Asevilli | Died 1330, Zaragoza, Spain | |
Yom Tov ben Avraham Asevilli (1260s – 1320s), commonly known by the Hebrew acronym as the Ritva, (Hebrew: ריטב"א) was a medieval rabbi and Halakhist famous for his commentary on the Talmud. The name "Asevilli" (sometimes pronounced "Ishbili") is a Hebrew rendering of the Arabic Isbili, meaning "from Seville".
Biography
Asevilli was born in Seville, Spain around 1260. He was the student of Solomon ibn Adret and Aaron ha-Levy of Barcelona. His works suggest that he spent some time studying in France. He spent most of his life in Zaragoza. He died at least by the year 1314, and one scholar suggest it was after 1328.
His commentary on the Talmud is extremely concise and as such is one of the most frequently referred to Talmudic commentators until today. Many sections of the commentary have been subject to debate regarding their actual authorship, but the majority of the work has remained free from controversy. He also wrote commentaries on the writings of Isaac Alfasi and certain works of Nahmanides. He was the rabbi and head of the Yeshiva of Seville in Spain.