Responsum: On Death Practices

Joseph ben Meir Ibn Migash, perhaps the greatest Spanish talmudist of his generation, was the principal student of Isaac al-Fāsī (1013–1103) in Spain. After al-Fāsī’s death, Ibn Migash took over as the head of the important talmudic academy in Lucena (Spain) and remained in this position until his own death. He had a close personal relationship with the poet and theologian Judah ha-Levi (ca. 1075–1141) and taught many of the leading Spanish rabbis in the early twelfth century, including the father of Moses Maimonides. Maimonides—usually quite sparing with praise—praised him lavishly. Ibn Migash’s surviving writings include commentaries on several talmudic tractates and many responsa; his other writings have been lost.