BARUCH DE DIGNE:

By: Richard Gottheil, Moïse Schwab

Rabbi of central France toward the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth century; surnamed "Ha-Gadol" (the Great) in the responsa of Isaac b. Immanuel de Lattes. His first studies were made in Provence. An animated and bitter discussion took place (1305) between him and his master, Isaac Cohen of Manosque, in which the latter offended Baruch's dignity, and Baruch replied with violence. Isaac in revenge pronounced the sentence of excommunication against Baruch, who refused, however, to submit. The anathema was condemned on many sides, and was considered unjustifiable because the sentence was founded on personal motives. A lively controversy then arose between the various scholars of Provence. Solomon b. Adret declared against Baruch and for the excommunication. The scholars who favored Baruch were: Jekutiel b. Salomon of Montpellier, Meïr b. Isaiah of Lunel, Nehemiah b.Shealtiel of Avignon, Joseph Samuel b. Abraham of Aix, David b. Samuel of Estella, Abraham b. Isaac of Carpentras, Solomon b. Judah, as well as the whole rabbinical college at Arles. In consequence of the quarrel, Baruch left Digne and settled in central France, as Isaac de Lattes states in his responsa. He was doubtless the same as the Baruch of , or (possibly Buseins in the department of Aveyron), who corresponded with Eliezer b. Josef of Chinon and Simon b. Isaac of Rodez.

G. M. S.