Isaiah Bassan

During his lifetime, Isaiah Bassan served as rabbi of Cento, Padua, Ferrara, and Reggio Emilia. He composed many responsa, some of which were included in volumes printed by his son, Israel, as well as in works by Isaac Lampronti and Samson Morpurgo, while others survived in manuscript. He wrote talmudic glosses, poetry, sermons, and a critical commentary on Solomon Nissim Algazi’s Halikhot Eli (The Paths of My God; 1663). Moses Ḥayim Luzzatto was among Bassan’s students, and Bassan became his friend and champion. He publicly defended Luzzatto when the latter became the center of controversy, offering him advice and counsel in their private correspondence.