[Moshe ben Yaakov of Kiev]. Shoshan Sodoth

There is much debate as to the identity of the author of this important kabbalistic work. Although the title identifiies him as a disciple of Nachmanides, the present consensus based upon manuscripts of this work (in Oxford, Paris and YIVO) is that the author is R. Moshe ben Yaakov of Kiev, also known as R. Moshe ha-Goleh (1449-1520). In 1495, the Jews were expelled from Kiev and R. Moshe went into exile; thus his surname "ha-Goleh". In 1506 he was captured by Tatar invaders and ransomed by the Jews of Crimea. He began this work during the year of his expulsion 1495 and completed it in Crimea in 1511. For a full discussion, see H. Liberman, Ohel Rachel Vol. I, pp. 93-104 especially n. 5