Creator Bio
Simeon Qayyāra
9th Century
Simeon Qayyāra, probably of Basra, Iraq, wrote a widely used halakhic work known as Great Laws (Halakhot gedolot). Nothing else is known about him.
Content by Simeon Qayyāra
Primary Source
Great Laws (Halakhot gedolot): On the Transmission of the Torah
Halakhot gedolot (Great Laws), Proverbs 8:22
The Lord made me as the beginning of His way, the first of His works of old. (Proverbs 8:22)
The Torah declared: I was formed before the creation of the world. R. Huna said in the name of R. Simeon…
Primary Source
Great Laws (Halakhot gedolot): On the Blessing over the Signs of Virginity
When he brings out the sheet [stained with the blood of virginity], we require him to recite a blessing. If wine and spices are available, he recites over them, “who creates the fruit of the vine” and…
Primary Source
Great Laws (Halakhot gedolot): The Laws of the Blessings over Fruit
Halakhot gedolot (Great Laws), Laws of Blessings over Fruit (selections)
How does one recite blessings over fruits? Over the fruit of a tree, one recites: “Who creates the fruit of the tree,” except for wine, as over wine one recites: “Who creates the fruit of the vine.”…