Responsum: On Painting Synagogue Walls

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.