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Сила Теилим

6 Nisan · Yahrzeit

Rabbi Shmuel Yehuda Katzenellenbogen

Rabbi Shmuel Yehuda ben Meir Katzenellenbogen (1521 - 1597) was an Italian rabbi, son of the great Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen - the Maharam of Padua. Yahrzeit - 6 Nissan Resting place - Jewish cemetery Padua 26 Via Isidoro, Wiel Padua   Even in his youth, Rabbi Shmuel Yehuda stood out for his scholarship and gift for oratory. He was connected, both as a rabbi and as a writer, with his father, after whose death in 1565 he was elected rabbi of Venice. He had many students, one of whom made a bust of his beloved teacher, who had an impressive appearance, and set it up in the schoolhouse so that it would always be before his eyes (Eisenstadt-Wiener, Da'at Kedoshim, p. 82, St. Petersburg, 1897–98). Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai - the Chida ("Shem HaGedolim") mentions this fact in connection with Shmuel Yehuda Katzenellenbogen's great-grandfather, Yehuda Mintz. Rabbi Shmuel Yehuda was held in great esteem among his fellow Jews throughout Italy, and thanks to his broad scholarship he was revered by Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Shlomo Luria, and Rabbi Moshe Isserles. He was also highly regarded by non-Jews: Paul Weidner, a converted Jew, dedicated his works to him. It is said that he graciously received the Polish prince Mikolaj Krzysztof "the Orphan" Radziwill when the latter visited Padua. When the prince was in need of money, he turned to Katzenellenbogen, who lent him the funds necessary to continue his journey, asking in return that he treat the Jews of his country leniently and protect them from accusations of ritual murder. After Katzenellenbogen's passing, Rabbi Leon Modena delivered a eulogy, which was printed in "Midbar Yehuda" (p. 63b). Rabbi Shmuel left one son, known by the name Shaul Wahl. Katzenellenbogen is the author of several responsa included in the collection of responsa of Moshe Isserles (nos. 23, 126, 127, 129). Katzenellenbogen also contributed some notes to the annotated edition of Maimonides' "Yad HaChazakah" (Venice, 1550), which Azulai (Shem HaGedolim) attributes to Rabbi Meir of Padua. May the merit of the Tzadikim protect Am Yisrael! (https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/939-Rabbi-Samuel-Judah-Katzenellenbogen)