View source for Ra'avad

=Klalim=
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RABaD Disambiguation]: It's important to be aware that there are three individuals known as the Ra'avad: R' Avraham ibn Daud of Spain, author of Sefer HaKabbalah; R' Avraham ben Yitzchak Av Beit Din of Narbonne, who wrote the Sefer HaEshkol; his son in law, and R' Avraham ben David of Posquières, author of the Hasagot on the [[Baal HaMaor]] and [[Rambam]], Baalei HaNefesh, and quoted extensively by Rishonim.<ref>Shem HaGedolim (Sefarim, Heh 81-83). See Shach Choshen Mishpat 39:2</ref> Here, we also refer to the third one.
# the Ra'avad was a Talmid of Rav Moshe HaDarshan and [[Rabbeinu Meshulam]], learned with the [[Baal HaMaor]] and saw [[Rabbeinu Tam]].<ref>Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Aleph 11)</ref>
# In addition to his commentary on the [[Rambam]], the Raavad wrote a commentary to Shas, which is quoted frequently by the [[Ramban]], [[Rashba]], and [[Shitah Mekubetzet]], as well as on the [[Rif]] and [[Baal HaMaor]].<ref>Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Aleph 11)</ref>
# When presented with a dispute between the [[Rambam]] and Ra'avad, some argue the Halacha should be treated as a Safek, while others favor the Ra'avad when he is more stringent than the [[Rambam]], and still others are willing to be lenient like the Ra'avad against the [[Rambam]].<ref>Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRambam Ra'avad veSamag 41)</ref>
# In his inimitable style, the Ra'avad's critiques of the [[Rambam]] should not be seen as personal attacks to belittle the Rambam but rather as means of raising the red flag to warn people not to follow the rulings he felt the [[Rambam]] was mistaken in presenting.<ref>Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRambam Ra'avad veSamag 42)</ref> He himself praises the [[Rambam]]'s monumental work Mishneh Torah and states that he only argues so the generations to come don't unequivocally follow the [[Rambam]]'s rulings. Additionally, the name "Mishneh Torah" and idea of it being the sole work necessary along with the Written Torah was very unsettling for him.<ref>Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Aleph 11)</ref>
# When the Ra'avad presents a dissenting opinion with the opening of "Yesh Mi SheOmer," the [[Tur]] seems to think he actually paskens that way, but the [[Beit Yosef]] does not.<ref>Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRambam Ra'avad veSamag 42)</ref>
# Neither the [[Rambam]]'s Perush HaMishnayot nor Moreh Nevuchim were present before the Ra'avad, as they had not yet been translated from Arabic to Hebrew.<ref>Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRambam Ra'avad veSamag 43, 44)</ref>
# "Gedolei HaMefarshim" and "Gedolei HaMagihim" refer to the Ra'avad.<ref>Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRambam Ra'avad veSamag 45)</ref>
# The Recanti and Rav Chaim Vital write how Eliyahu HaNavi revealed himself to the Ra'avad, which corroborates with his statements "סוד ה' ליראיו" in Hilchot Lulav 8:5 and Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 6:5.<ref>Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Aleph 11)</ref>
# He wrote his collected writings in Temim Deim before he wrote his commentary on the Rambam, which means the latter is more authoritative regarding his view.<ref>[http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=31467&st=&pgnum=189&hilite= Nachal Eshkol (Hilchot Tumat Kohanim)], Maharsham vol. 3 Siman 366, Leyad HaMeayen by Rav Mordechai HaKohen page 195. See Encyclopedia Hilchatit Refuit vol. 4 "Kohen" fn. 22.</ref>

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[[Category:Klalei Haposkim]]