Ta’amei Mitzvoth [on the categories and reasons for the precepts]

Despite his name, Menachem ben Moses appears to hail from Italy. A contemporary of Joseph Karo, their corespondence is published in Karo’s responsa (Salonika, 1598, responsum no. 10). R. Menachem is also mentioned in the responsa of Moses di Trani (responsum no. 25), and Binyamin Ze’ev (responsa nos. 2 and 248). He served as a Dayan in Trikkola, Greece, before migrating to Safed in 1527, from where he renewed the Jewish settlement of Hebron, settling there in 1546. In the introduction, the author states all royalties received will be put toward rebuilding the ruins of Hebron so that its inhabitants may “Rest from the robbers and plunderers of the night, in the merit of the Patriarchs [who rest in Hebron], in order that those who study day and night will not be disturbed.” The Chassidic Masters were very fond of this work, later editions contain commentaries by Tzvi of Rimenov and others. Later editions have been confused by publishers with a work with the same title by Menachem Recanti. For details concerning Menachem ben Moses’ origins see M. Benayahu, From Where Did R. Menachem Ha’Bavli Come to Hebron in: Kiryath Sepher vol. 29 (1953-54), pp.174-194; E. Roth, in Kiryath Sepher vol. 31 (1955-56), p.399 and Benayahu’s reply pp.399-400. See also H. Z. Dimitrovsky, in Sefunoth vol. 7 (1963) p.67