Moses de León

Moses ben Shem Tov de León, a leading member of the circle that produced the Zohar, was one of the most important medieval kabbalists. Little is known about his life. He seems to have lived mainly in Guadalajara and visited other Spanish cities before dying in Arévalo. In his younger years, de León studied Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed and came to learn the kabbalah of Castile. Although de León was involved in the creation of the Zohar, the nature and extent of his role is still a matter of debate. He composed many other kabbalistic works, including an explication of the commandments, biblical commentaries, and speculations on the afterlife.