Samuel de Medina

Samuel de Medina was born and lived in Salonika. Recognized for his knowledge at an early age, he was one of the most significant rabbinic authorities of his time. He served as rabbi of the Portuguese Kahal Gerush Sefarad synagogue and also as head of a yeshiva endowed by Doña Gracia Nasi Mendes. In 1567 he became the chief rabbinic authority in Salonika, where he signed many community regulations. He is mostly known for his many responsa (Salonika, 1580–1582), of which nearly a thousand have survived. His sermons were published under the title Bet Shemu’el (The House of Samuel).