- Samson Morpurgo
Samson Morpugo ben Joshua Moses (born at
Gradiska ,Austria , in 1681; died atAncona ,April 12 1740 ) was an Italian rabbi, physician, and liturgist.When a boy of seven he was taken by his father to
Venice , where he received his elementary education. He then studied in theUniversity of Padua , and graduated as doctor of medicine.In 1704 Morpurgo published in Venice his "'Eẓ ha-Da'at," a philosophical commentary on
Jedaiah Bedersi 's "Beḥinat ha-'Olam." At the end of this work was printed a satire upon thecabalist s byJacob Frances , on account of which Morpurgo was persecuted by the rabbis of Padua. At the same time he devoted himself to the study of the "Talmud " and rabbinics, and in 1709 he obtained a rabbi's diploma fromLeon Briel , chief rabbi of Mantua (Preface to Morpurgo's "Shemesh Ẓedaḳah"). Soon afterward he was associated in the rabbinate of Ancona withJoseph Fiametta , whose son-in-law he subsequently became. After Fiametta's death (1721) Morpurgo was sole rabbi of Ancona; and he continued in office till his death.Morpurgo enjoyed much consideration as a distinguished rabbi; his objections to certain rabbinical decrees are to be found in
Giovanni Bernardo De Rossi , "Bibliotheca Antichristiana," p. 63; and an approbation of his, of 1716, was inserted byIsaac Lampronti in his "Paḥad Yiẓaḳ," i. 35b, s.v. . He corresponded withAbraham Segre andMoses Ḥagiz concerningMoses Ḥayyim Luzzatto (see "Kerem Ḥemed," iii. 149). Morpurgo proved a skilful physician during an epidemic of influenza at Ancona in 1730; and in recognition of his services he was presented with a testimonial byPope Benedict IV , who wasArchbishop of Ancona .Morpurgo left a number of "
responsa " on the four parts of the Shulḥan 'Aruk, which were published, with notes and preface, by his sonMoses Ḥayyim Shabbethai (Venice, 1743). He was also the author of a prayer beginning "Anna ha-El ha-Gadol ha-Gibbor weha-Nora," to be recited by persons visiting the cemetery.References
*
Eliakim Carmoly , in "Revue Orientale", ii. 473;
*Julius Fürst , Bibl. Jud. ii. 391;
*Marco Mortara , "Indice", p. 42;
*Giovanni Bernardo De Rossi , "Dizionario", ii. 64;
*Moritz Steinschneider , Cat. Bodl. col. 2637;
*Zunz , Literaturgesch. p. 448;
*idem, in Liebermann, Deutscher Volkskalender, 1853, p. 68External links
* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=804&letter=M Source]
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