Nissim Ben Jacob (Rav Nissim Gaon), (990-1062) was a rabbi and Talmudist best known to Judaism's scholars today for his Talmudic commentary HaMafteach, by which he also known.

Biography

Rav Nissim studied at the Kairouan yeshiva, initally under his father, Jacob ben Nissim, and then under Chushiel, who succeeded Jacob as head of the Yeshiva. Nissim himself later became head of the yeshiva; in this capacity he is closely associated with Chananel son of Chushiel. His most famous student is probably Isaac Alfasi. Rav Nissim maintained an active correspondence with Hai Gaon and with Shmuel Hanaggid . Some consider Nissim and Chananel to constitute the first generation of Rishonim.

Works

The commentary Sefer Mafteach Manulei Hatalmud (Hebrew: "The book of the key to the Talmud") (or simply as HaMafteach) is essentially a Talmudic cross-reference. In it Rav Nissim brings down sources for Mishnaic quotes, identifying obscure allusions to other places in Talmudic literature. The work was written on several tractates , and is printed, in many editions, on the page itself.

External links

• Nissim Ben Jacob Ben Nissim Ibn Shahin, jewishencyclopedia.com
• Nissim Ben Jacob, jewishhistory.org
• Sefer ha-Mafteah, Prof. Eliezer Segal
• R' Nissim ben Yaakov z"l, torah.org