David Leḥno

Rabbi, chronicler, and scholar, David ben Eleazar Leḥno lived in the Crimean community of Karasubazar (Belogorsk). His family name indicates that he was of Polish origin. Leḥno was among the leaders of the community of Karasubazar and was also respected by the Karaites. His introduction to Maḥzor minhag Kafa provides extensive information about Crimean Jewry. He also penned a work on Hebrew grammar (Mishkan David). Leḥno’s Devar sefatayim (Mere Words) is a history of the Crimean Khanate in the years from 1680 to 1730. His work draws on various sources, among them oral testimonies given by officials. It provides a general history of the khanate, including wars, palace coups, and natural disasters, in addition to some accounts of Jewish life and history in Crimea.