Abraham Samuel of Venice

Very little is known about Abraham Samuel of Venice, who composed a rhymed verse rendering of the laws outlined in tractate Shabbat, titled Shirat dodi (Song of My Beloved). The work was edited by Nissim ben Moses Kohen of Venice, who also wrote a commentary to it. In his preface, Nissim states that he ensured its publication as a memorial to Abraham, who had not fathered any sons. In the author’s introduction, Abraham, who may have originated from Salonika or elsewhere in the Ottoman Empire, states that he composed this work for simple Jews, to enable them to fulfill their obligation to study Torah and to provide a clear explanation of the laws of the Sabbath.