Solomon Nissim Algazi

Who is Solomon Nissim Algazi?

Solomon Nissim Algazi was rabbi in Smyrna and in Jerusalem in the 17th century. Solomon Algazi was a prolific writer on all topics of rabbinical literature, and has won distinction by his treatment of Talmudic hermeneutics and methodology.

His attempts to rationalize Talmudic Aggadot, while not scientific in a modern sense, still prove him to have been superior to the average Talmudist of his age. His best work is his Talmudic methodology, Yabin Shemu'ah, which is written in the form of a commentary to Yeshu'ah Ha-Levi's Halikot 'Olam. He wrote two other works on Talmudic methodology; namely, Halikot Eli, and Gufe Halakot. Algazi was also the author of:

Ahabat 'Olam, a series of homilies

Hamon Rabbah, an index of the Biblical passages quoted in Midrash Rabbah

Zehab Sebah, on Talmudic Haggadot,

Leḥem Setarim, Talmudic novellæ

Me'ullefet Sappirim, selections from the Zohar