[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 identifies him as a disciple of Nachmanides, the present consensus based upon extand manuscripts (Oxford, Paris and YIVO) is that the author is R. Moshe ben Yaakov of Kiev, also known as R. Moshe HaGoleh (1449-1520). In 1495, the Jews were expelled from Kiev and R. Moshe went into exile - thus his surname “HaGoleh”. In 1506 he was captured by Tatar invaders and subsequently 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 Rach”l Vol. I, pp. 93-104 especially n. 5.