Eliezer ben Samuel

ca. 1115–ca. 1198

Eliezer ben Samuel lived in Metz, where he worked as a moneylender and was responsible for charitable distributions in the community. He was a prominent student of Jacob ben Meir (1100–1171; Rabbenu Tam). His own students included Eliezer ben Joel ha-Levi (1140–1220) and Eleazar ben Judah of Worms (1165–ca. 1230). Eliezer ben Samuel is best remembered for his Book of God-Fearers (Sefer yire’im), a work on the 613 commandments. He also wrote Tosafot and responsa, which are largely lost.

Content by Eliezer ben Samuel

Primary Source

Book of God-Fearers

Sefer yire’im, vol. 2, page 6, section 239

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You shall fear your God and observe that which He commanded in Parashat Shoftim: There shall not be found among you anyone who passes his son or his daughter through the fire, one who uses…