place · L0266

Lucca לוקא

Tuscan city that is Ashkenaz's remembered point of origin: the Kalonymus family's migration from Lucca to Mainz — carrying Italian piyyut and the esoteric prayer-traditions rooted in Eretz Yisrael — is the tradition's own account of how Torah crossed the Alps. Italy on this atlas's map is the bridge between Eretz Yisrael and Ashkenaz.

I. Who

Hebrew: לוקא

III. Where

Modern location: Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

V. How do we know

Claim	Evidence	Confidence	Sources
The tradition preserved by R' Elazar of Worms (the Rokeach) and in medieval Ashkenazi memory holds that "King Karl" brought R' Moshe ben Kalonymus and his family from Lucca to Mainz, where they planted the Torah and mystical prayer-lore of Ashkenaz; the date and identity of the king are disputed (traditions range from Charlemagne to the late ninth or tenth century). Family tradition first written down centuries later; dating disputed.	tradition reconstruction	★★★☆☆	Kalonymos family Moses ben Kalonymus
Lucca had one of early medieval Italy's notable Jewish communities; Avraham ibn Ezra later composed several works during his stay there (c. 1145).	external	★★★☆☆	Lucca

Referenced by: Moshe ben Kalonymus