Avigdor Cohen of Vienna

Avigdor Cohen ben Elijah of Vienna (fl. mid-13th century) was the earliest of the great Talmudists of Austria.

Biography

Cohen was the pupil of R. Simha of Speyer (who flourished about 1220), but he knew also R. Joel HaLevi of Bonn (who flourished about 1175). Avigdor lived in Vienna, and from there administered the religious affairs of the Jewish population of Austria. Of his writings we possess only a commentary on the Pentateuch and the five Megillot, which still exist in manuscript. From various sources we know that he also wrote Tosafot to the treatise Ketuvot. The most prominent scholars of Germany often applied to him for advice on difficult ritualistic problems, theoretical or practical, and attached great importance to his decisions. He had also distinguished pupils, among whom was the eminent Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg.

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Abigdor Cohen". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. It has the following bibliography:
• Michael, Or ha-hayyim, No. 10;
• Zunz, Z.G. pp. 38, 42, 193.