Ovadiah of Bartenura

Ovadiah was born in Bartenura, Italy. Little is known of his early life, although it seems he was a banker in Città de Castello for some time. In 1486, he embarked on a journey to Jerusalem, reaching his destination in 1488, just before Passover. The letters he wrote describing his travels, the communities he encountered, and impressions of the land of Israel have been published and translated into many languages. Ovadiah became the spiritual leader of Jerusalem’s Jews, uniting the oppressed and divided community. He was nagid (religious leader) of the city, achieving recognition throughout Israel and the diaspora. He is most famed for his commentary on the Mishnah, which was completed in Jerusalem and published in Venice in 1549; it appears in most editions of the Mishnah printed since then. Ovadiah’s other letters, sermons, and liturgical poems remain in manuscript.