Rabbi Levi ibn Chaviv

Hebrew name: מהרלב״ח

Years: 1480–1545

Primary city: Jerusalem

Biography

Rabbi Levi ibn Chaviv was a leading rabbinic authority in Yerushalayim and the son of Rabbi Yaakov ibn Chaviv, author of Ein Yaakov. He challenged the renewal of semicha, arguing that such a move required absolute consensus rather than a mere majority and cautioned that reinstituting a Sanhedrin prematurely could destabilize the established calendar and halachic tradition.

Works

  • Shu"t Ralbach
  • Kuntres HaSemicha

Responsa

  • Renewal of Semicha Ordination (1538) — from Rabbi Levi ibn Chaviv to Unknown recipient

Explore the full interactive rabbinic map →