Creator Bio
Samuel Archevolti
ca. 1530–1611
Samuel ben Elḥanan Archevolti was born in Cesena, Italy, and by 1563 was living in Bologna. Between 1565 and 1602 he visited Venice, where he worked correcting proofs at a printing house. In 1568, he settled in Padua, where he became community secretary, head of the yeshiva, and head of the rabbinic court. Archevolti composed ethical and educational treatises, but his major work, Arugat ha-bosem (Bed of Spices), is on grammar, written when he was living in Padua. He also wrote both secular and liturgical poetry. Some of his piyyutim (liturgical poems) were included in Italian Jewish prayer books.
Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator
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Responsum: On Painting Synagogue Walls
In answer to those who ask me whether or not it is permitted to paint the walls of the synagogue with pictures of grass, trees, and calyxes, we researched the question and our answer is as follows:
At…
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Ma'ayan ganim (A Garden Spring)
The words of a pure woman “more precious than rubies”
whose wish is to attend to studies,
and her name is the gentle Dinah:
She seeks counsel from the wise
for she fears lest her honor may everywhere…
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The Ass’s Complaint
Why is my back loaded with fine flour, while in my mouth there is no bread at all, but only straw? I drink well-water, though I carry wine. And the stick goes on fracturing my skull!
I live in rubble…
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Arugat ha-bosem (Bed of Spices)
I have already hinted at this in the previous chapter: how…