Meshullam ben Jacob

Who was Meshullam ben Jacob?

Rabbeinu Meshullam son of Jacob also known as Rabbeinu Meshullam hagodol was a Franco-Jewish Talmudist of the twelfth century CE. He had a Talmudic Yeshiva in Lunel which produced several famous men, and was an intimate friend of Abraham ben Isaac, Av beth din of Narbonne, who addressed to him several responsa, and spoke of him in high terms. His Talmudic decisions are quoted in Sefer ha-Terumot.

Rabbeinu Meshullam was interested also in philosophy. According to Rabbeinu Yehudah ibn Tibbon, whom he encouraged to translate Bahya ibn Paquda's Al-Hidayah ila Fara'id al-Qulub into Hebrew, he wrote several works dealing with moral philosophy, advised and assisted other Jewish writers, and possessed a large library. Rabbeinu Yehudah Ibn Tibbon is never weary of praising Rabbeinu Meshullam's zeal in investigating the various branches of knowledge.

Rabbeinu Meshullam was the father of the renowned Rabbeinu Asher ben Meshullam. Among Rabbeinu Meshullam's disciples, are the Ravad and the Baal Hama'or. Rabbeinu Meshullam died in Lunel in 1170.