person · P0231

Yitzchak HaLevi (of Worms) רבי יצחק הלוי

Head of the yeshiva of Worms and the second of Rashi's two principal teachers ("my teacher HaLevi"). Formed in the school of Rabbeinu Gershom at Mainz — by some accounts under Gershom himself, by others under his senior disciple R' Eliezer HaGadol — he made Worms a peer of Mainz in the generation before the First Crusade.

I. Who

Hebrew
רבי יצחק הלוי
Also known as
Yitzchak ben Elazar HaLevi, Isaac Segan Leviyah
Era
rishonim
Received the mesorah from
Rabbeinu Gershom
Transmitted the mesorah to
Rashi
Teachers
Rabbeinu Gershom
Students
Rashi

II. When

Traditional
d. c. 4838 AM
Academic
c. 1000–1078 CE
Lifespan (traditional)
≈78 years
Precision
approximate

III. Where

Places
Worms

V. How do we know

ClaimEvidenceConfidenceSources
He was trained in Rabbeinu Gershom's academy and headed the Worms yeshiva where Rashi studied; Rashi transmits rulings and readings in his name throughout the early Ashkenazic literature.
Whether his own reception was directly from Gershom or via Gershom's disciple R' Eliezer HaGadol is uncertain in the sources; the edge follows the school attribution, with confidence lowered.
tradition ★★★☆☆
Full name Yitzchak HaLevi ben Elazar; led the Worms yeshiva in the generation after Yaakov ben Yakar, into the 1070s.
Frequently confused in the literature with Yitzchak ben Yehudah, who headed the Mainz academy; the atlas should keep them as separate entries.
rabbinic ★★★☆☆
  • Rashi's responsa and Talmud commentary, references to 'Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi'
Composed liturgical poetry and biblical/Talmudic explanations transmitted through the Worms school rather than in a book of his own.
Attribution is by citation in later compilations, not by a surviving autograph work.
rabbinic ★★☆☆☆
  • Machzor Vitry and Worms-school compilations, citations in his name