Acharonim1470–1549Bologna; Rome
Rabbi Ovadia Sforno
Biblical commentary, thought and medicine
- The Sforno
- Commentary on the Torah
- Kavvanot HaTorah
- Or Amim
- Plain sense
- Bologna
- Physician
- Pirkei Avot
Biblical commentary, thought and medicine
His commentary is based on the plain sense, in short and clear language, and is written for the people and not to impress the learned. In the introduction to his commentary on the Torah he states that its purpose is to guide a person as a human being; he repeatedly stresses that the choice of Israel is a responsibility and a duty and not a privilege, and he ties scientific knowledge to the improvement of character.
An Italian biblical commentator, rabbi and physician, born in Cesena, a leader of the Jewish communities of Rome and Bologna, where he founded a Hebrew printing press and practised as a physician. His most important and widely read work is his commentary on the Torah, and he also wrote commentaries on Psalms, the Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Job and Pirkei Avot, and the philosophical work Or Amim.
The writings of Ovadiah Seforno can be read on Sefaria, a free library of Jewish texts. A title opens the text itself.
Content from Sefaria (sefaria.org) and Wikimedia projects, non-profit projects.
includes 2 inspiration linksThe generations follow the Rambam’s introduction to the Mishneh Torah. A dashed line is inspiration, not direct transmission.