Elijah Capsali


Hakham Elijah ben Elkanah Capsali was the first Hakham Bashi of the Ottoman Empire, as well as a notable historian.

Biography

Born in Crete, into a distinguished Sephardic family, the Capsalis had served as heads of the Jewish community on several occasions and distinguished themselves in the study of the Torah and Talmud. His father Elkanah Capsali, served as the head of the Cretan Jewish community, and taught Elijah in his early years. In 1508 Elijah went to Padua, to study in the yeshivah of Judah Minz, who soon died after Elijah's arrival. Although, his studies were interrupted by the occupation of Padua by German troops in 1509, after which he moved to Venice. In 1510 Elijah returned to Crete, were he studied under Isaac Angelheiman. In he became the Chief Rabbi of Crete, during which he associated himself with several great scholars of his time such as, Jacob Berab and Joseph Caro. Additionally he wrote serval notable historical works, which were praised for their vivid and detailed descriptions of Ottoman Jewry, many of which provide interregnal accounts used by modern historians. Later in his life, Elijah developed a close relationship to Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet II who established the position of Hakham Bashi, which Elijah served as for two years from 1452–1454. Following his death, his uncle Moses Capsali continued his position as Hakham Bashi.

Works

Some of his most famous works are as follows: