Creator Bio
Jonathan ha-Kohen of Lunel
ca. 1135–after 1210
Jonathan ben David ha-Kohen was a leading talmudic scholar in Lunel, southern France. Jonathan wrote to Maimonides several times, posing a series of questions about the Mishneh Torah and requesting a copy of the Guide of the Perplexed. Jonathan also wrote a popular commentary on the Laws (Halakhot) of Isaac al-Fāsī (1013–1103) that remains in print. In 1210, he moved to the land of Israel, with a group that allegedly included three hundred French and English rabbis, where he later died.
Content by Jonathan ha-Kohen of Lunel
Primary Source
Commentary on al-Fāsī: On the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat
Commentary on al-Fāsī on b. Shabbat 21b
The next year they established them [i.e., the days of Hanukkah] as eight festive days. [b. Shabbat 21b]
All eight days were included, as no such miracle had ever been wrought for Israel, for even…
Primary Source
Letter to Moses Maimonides
Jonathan ha-Kohen wrote to Maimonides directly to ask him for a copy of his Guide of the Perplexed, the reputation of the book having spread to southern France, where he lived. The Jewish community of…
Primary Source
Letter to Maimonides
For and on behalf of the notables and sages, by the order of old and young, upon the decision of the counsellors and advisors, I was moved to say words, utter praise, tell the glory of Moses, the…