Elḥanan ben Isaac

Elḥanan ben Isaac of Dampierre, France, was the son and leading student of Isaac ben Samuel (Ri ha-Zaken) of Dampierre (d. ca. 1185). Elḥanan is thought to have died a martyr’s death. He composed Tosafot (“additions”) on tractate Avodah Zarah that display his erudition, and his Tosafot on other tractates circulated as well. His responsa, frequently cowritten with his father, also survive, and he is cited as the author of piyyut (liturgical poetry) and as a biblical exegete. Elḥanan was influenced by his father and his father’s teacher, Jacob ben Meir (Rabbenu Tam, 1100–1171), but he did not hesitate to offer his own views where he disagreed with them.