Isaac Ben-jacob Alfasi or Alcalai

Isaac ben-Jacob Alfasi or Alcalai one of the most distinguished Talmudical scholars of the Middle Ages, was born at Cala-Hammad near Fez, in Africa, about 1013. It had been the custom among Jewish Rabbis to follow in the interpretation of the Talmud the decisions of the Gaonim, and thus direct inquiry and independence of thought had well nigh become not only obsolete, but even impossible. But when Alfasi had become sufficiently familiar with the Talmudic writings to make his voice heard among his Jewish brethren, he evinced such an independence of thought, and a mind of such penetration, that he was soon acknowledged not only on Africa's shore, but even on the other side of the sea, by Spain's Jewish savans, as one of the ablest interpreters of their tradition. A work which he published at this time, סֵפֵר הִהֲלָכוֹת, or the Halacha's of the whole Talmud, intended as a Talmudical compendium (published at Cracow, 1597, 8vo; Basle, 1602, 8vo), which has preserved its authority even to the present day, still farther increased his renown. During a time of persecution (1088), being obliged to flee his native country, he sought refuge in Cordova, and there he was received with great honor. But his distinction as a Talmudst, and the kind offices of his Spanish brethren. seem to have annoyed some of the more distinguished Rabbis of Spain. A controversy, into which he was unwillingly drawn, with Ibn-Gia and Ibn-Albalda, became especially severe. After the death of Ibn-Gia, he removed to Lucena, and was there appointed the successor of his former opponent. But his controversy with Ibn-Albaida continued until the death of the latter (1094), when Alfasi adopted a son of Ibn-Albalda, and made him one of his most faithful adherents. He died in 1103. A list of the different editions of his works may be found in First, Bibliotheca Judaica, 1, 34 sq. See Gritz, Gesch. d. Juden, 6:76 sq., 92 sq.; Munk, Notice sur Aboulwealid, p. 4 sq.; Pinsker, Likute Kadnonijot, text No. 210, and note X. (J. H. W.)