The minister Don Shmuel Abarbanel [(see year 5134)] left Naples in the year 5300 with wealth exceeding 200,000 ducats, and in his days the minister Rabbi Elchanan of his family became wealthy in Bologna with such an amount [(Tzedah LaDerech)].

It is written [in Sha'arei Kedusha 64a] these sages were scattered throughout the world: Rabbi Avraham Karkos, Rabbi Avraham Bitin [(perhaps he is Rabbi Avraham di Botin who authored responsa Lechem Rav)], Rabbi Avraham Almoshnino, Rabbi Avraham Sagis known as Fairo, Rabbi Aharon HaTrani a student of HaRav Piso, Rabbi Anshil HaLevi of the families of Zion, chief rabbi of Padua, Rabbi Eliezer ibn Tzori the Spaniard who was a leader in Lambarke, Rabbi Asher Zion, Rabbi Binyamin of Montzivo, Rabbi Baruch bar Yosef. Maharadach HaGaon David Kohen, the son-in-law of Rabbi Chayyim of the city of Korfi, authored responsa [(5297)].

Rabbi David ibn Shoshan, Rabbi David Pazibtin, Rabbi Chayyim Aravi the brother of the uncle of Rabbi Nisan Porisha Aravi, Rabbi Yehudah ibn HaLanah, Rabbi Yehudah Kasiah, Rabbi Yehudah ibn Shoshan, Rabbi Yehudah Livov of Firedah, Rabbi Yehudah known as Rabbi Leon of Modiya who was a rabbi of Milstia, Rabbi Yehudah Mintz chief rabbi of Padua, the teacher of the Rama [(he authored responsa printed together with the responsa of HaGaon Meir of Padua, and Seder Gittin VeChalitzah, that is 5312)], Rabbi Yehudah ibn Zechariah, Rabbi Yehudah Uziel his student, Rabbi Yehoshua Shaltiel, Rabbi Yehoshua Karkos, Rabbi Yosef Uziel a student of Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab, Rabbi Yosef Piso, Rabbi Yechiel from the Spanish exiles distinguished in Kabbalah, Rabbi Yechiel Tarvito chief rabbi in Lamarke, Rabbi Yaakov a student of Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab, Rabbi Yaakov ibn Yakar, Rabbi Yaakov, Rabbi Yaakov Amigo, Rabbi Yitzchak bar Shmuel Chayyim from the Spanish exiles distinguished in Kabbalah, Rabbi Yitzchak Korkosa, Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen, Rabbi Yitzchak HaMolinah, Rabbi Yitzchak Naronran, Rabbi Yitzchak Nahon, Rabbi Yitzchak Barzilin, Rabbi Yisrael chief rabbi of Rome, Rabbi Leib Ashkenazi, Rabbi Mordechai HaModiana, Rabbi Moshe Albildah bar Yaakov [(authored Drash Moshe on the Torah and sermons, 5362; Olat Tamid commentary on verses in order of the Torah and in philosophy; Reshit Da'at sermons on matters of faith according to philosophy; Sha'arei HaMa'ah commentary on Eichah and on the reversals of the times, 5346; and commentary on Rashi on the Pentateuch)], Rabbi Moshe Bashan chief rabbi of Venice, Rabbi Moshe Yafeh chief rabbi of the exile, Rabbi Moshe Kohen [(see year 5458, perhaps it is he)], Rabbi Nachman a student of Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab, Rabbi Nachman Sombal, Rabbi Nachman, Rabbi Nisan Porisha Aravi, Rabbi Naftali Trivosh bar Eliezer [(authored Sefer Naftulei, commentary on Rabbeinu Bachya, 5306)], Rabbi Shem Tov Uziel a student of Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab, Rabbi Shmuel ibn Sirah, Rabbi Shmuel Franko, Rabbi Shmuel Atiah [(made indexes for the Rambam on the laws)], Rabbi Shmuel Chakhim.

In Sha'arei Kedusha [64b, the following sages and chief rabbis were scattered throughout the world:] Rabbi Avraham Shalom in Safed [(see 5252)], Rabbi Avraham Yerushalmi [(see 5258)], Rabbi Avraham Tzaralu, Rabbi Avdaha Merovigo and Rabbi Yisrael his brother, chief rabbis in Firera, Rabbi Eliyahu of the exile, HaRav Rabbi Eliyahu son of HaRav Rabbi Tzemach HaMili chief rabbi of Mantua, Rabbi Elazar of Frankfurt, Rabbi Binyamin who composed a Machzor for Ashkenazim, Rabbi Chayyim Ovadiah HaButzal authored Sefer Be'er Mayim Chayyim [that is 5306], Rabbi Chayyim Chaver in Damascus [(see 50)], HaRav Rabbi Yehudah bar Yosef Moskato chief rabbi of Mantua [(authored Sefer Kol Yehudah commentary on the Kuzari, that is 5352, and Nefutzot Yehudah, 52 great sermons from all wisdoms and music, that is 5348, brought in Darkhat that he commented on Song of Songs)], Rabbi Yehudah Ahdrotil chief rabbi of Ancona, Rabbi Yehudah HaLifiyaitili and his son Rabbi Yitzchak in Rome, Rabbi Yoel HaLevi in Safed, Rabbi Yosef Korkos in Jerusalem, Rabbi Yosef Sagish Portugiso in Safed, Rabbi Yosef Chayyat Aravi the judge in Damascus, Rabbi Yaakov Finzi Merkanti, and he had a tradition that he was of the seed of Recanati, Rabbi Yaakov Bali Aravi in Safed, Rabbi Yaakov Virmintz, Rabbi Yaakov Mantino a sage and physician who translated Moreh Nevuchim into Latin, Rabbi Yitzchak Adroi authored responsa and sermons, Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen a prophet and wealthy and pious in Egypt, Rabbi Yitzchak Gavinshforv, Rabbi Yitzchak of Muntzilizi in the exile, Rabbi Yitzchak Tzalal, the sage Levi Mukarvi, Rabbi Yisralin in Krakow, Rabbi Mordechai Matalonun chief rabbi of Thessaloniki, Rabbi Moshe Almoshnino authored many books [(Beit Elokim on the form of the earth and the globe; HaNahagot HaChayyim, ethics and dream interpretations; Yedei Moshe on the Five Megillot; Ma'ametz Koach sermons; Migdal Oz commentary on Sefer HaKavanot from his father Achmad, manuscript; Pnei Moshe commentary on the Torah, manuscript; Pirkei Moshe on Pirkei Avot; Torat Moshe; Tefillah LeMoshe; Ma'alat HaTorah and Seder Kriat Shema al HaMitah and its arrangements; Tikkun Sofrim on writing documents, manuscript)], Rabbi Moshe Dayan Aravi in Aleppo the judge of Aleppo, Rabbi Moshe and Rabbi David and Rabbi Yehudah brothers, Pervintzal chief rabbis of Mantua, HaRav Rabbi Moshe Minorzah chief rabbi of Mantua, Rabbi Moshe Provinzi [(Sefer BeShem Kadmon on grammar, that is 5357, I don't know if it is he)], Rabbi Nisan Porikah Sephardi in Egypt, HaRav Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu of Mili, HaRav Rabbi Tzemach HaMili and Rabbi Eliyahu his son [(mentioned above)] in Mantua, Rabbi Kalman Kohen and wealthy, Rabbi Kalman Shur, HaRav Rabbi Shalom bar Yosef, Rabbi Shlomo Alshkar very wealthy and supporter of yeshivot in the Land of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo of Romania, Rabbi Shmuel Koriel, Rabbi Shmuel Chakan, Rabbi Shmuel HaModianah who established many students, and among his students was the chief rabbi of Thessaloniki who lived many years and authored responsa [(called Rashda, and Sefer Ben Shmuel, thirty sermons on Torah, worship, kindness, and for Shabbat and holidays; his son Rabbi Yeshayah brought them to print, 5376; Bnei Shmuel on the four Turim from the writing of Rashda manuscript, 5310)], Rabbi Shmuel Saba in Egypt, HaRav Rabbi Shmuel Merlin chief rabbi of Mantua.

Rabbi Moshe bar Yosef Trani [authored Sefer Kiryat Arba, and Beit Elokim, Iggeret Ba'ulat Olam; taught Torah, sermons evident in the introduction to his responsa; and Kiryat Sefer on the laws, 5312; and responsa. He was in Damascus in the year 5326. He wrote in a responsum: in the year 5326, behold I am seventy years old. And in section 48, part 2, he wrote: in the days of my youth in the year 5280, this was fifty years from 5280 to 5330 that I have been teaching Torah].

These were in the generation of the Mabit and debated with him in their responsa: HaRav Rabbi Avraham Shalom [part 2, section 132], HaRav Avraham son of the sage Rabbi Moshe di Botin of Thessaloniki [authored Lechem Mishnah on Mishneh Torah of the Rambam, that is 5366, and on Pirkei Avot, that is 5400, and Lechem Rav responsa and Talmudic topics, that is 5420], HaRav Aharon Finzi of Ariyo, HaRav Rabbi Elisha Ba'aliko [authored a commentary on Esther, that is 5340, and Kohelet 5328, and Song of Songs 5346, and responsa brought in manuscript, manuscript], HaRav Elazar ibn Yochai [part 2, section 134 and 165], HaRav Elazar the physician from Kidmonit, Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi [authored responsa, that is 5300], HaRav Baruch Chashkito in Firera distinguished in wisdom and years, HaRav David Aramah and his brother HaRav Yitzchak [part 2, section 260, 32], the Radbaz is the sage David Avi Zimri who was with him after 5327 [part 2, sections 131, 152, 172; authored Ta'amei Mitzvot explanations of reasons for the Rambam's laws, manuscript; and Magen David commentary on the letters in Kabbalah; explanatory statements, indicates place for matters; Metzudat David on the order of the commandments according to peshat and Kabbalah, manuscript; and responsa], HaRav David Barto, Don David HaKohen Krispin, HaRav Vidal Karkash, Rabbi Chayyim Brukash, HaRav Chayyim Basan [part 2, section 134], Rabbi Yehudah Mintz [part 2, section 16 (see above)], Yehudah bar Refael, HaRav Yehudah son of the sage Moshe Unkonira [part 2, section 96], HaRav Yehudah Ahdrotil, HaRav Yehudah Agmin [part 2, section 76], HaRav Yehoshua Michi, Rabbi Yosef Karo [(see section 160, and part 2, sections 131, 172)], HaRav Yosef Forman, HaRav Yosef Amigo [and in 5310 Rabbi Yosef Samiga authored Derech Yamim ethics and laws, Mikra'ei Kodesh sermons, that is 5346, Porat Yosef commentary on Rif and Ran on Ketuvot and some of Chullin and some Tosafot from Ketuvot, Beitzah, Zevachim, and many topics, that is 5300], HaRav Yosef Trivosh, Rabbi Yosef Kamchi, Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi, HaRav Yosef HaLatish, Rabbi Yosef bar Avigdor of the house of Latash, HaRav Yosef Taitzak, HaRav Yosef Korkos, Moreinu Yechiel of blessed memory from Kastlon [part 2, section 167], Rabbi Yechiel Ashkenazi [authored Sefer Heichal HaShem manuscript, ten Sefirot], HaRav Yechiel bar Yaakov HaLevi, Yechiel Nasin bar Shmuel di Pisa, Yaakov Papo, HaRav Yaakov Kastro [part 2, section 234], Yaakov di Koliavor, Rabbi Yaakov Tivon, HaRav Yitzchak of Muntzilino, HaRav Puntzo, HaRav ibn Nun [part 2, section 141], Yitzchak bar David known as Masa'ud [part 2, section 132], HaRav Yitzchak bar Avraham ibn Archa, Yitzchak bar Refael Montal, HaRav Yitzchak Adarbi of Thessaloniki year 5326 [part 2, section 40], Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab, Rabbi Yitzchak Aramah [section 260, 284], HaRav Yitzchak of Latish, HaRav Yitzchak Bei Rav the brother of HaRav Moshe Bei Rav, HaRav Yitzchak Tzarfat, HaRav Yitzchak di Molinah [part 2, section 97], Yitzchak of Mashan his student [part 2, section 139], HaRav Yisrael bar Meir, HaRav Michael Kotoro, Rabbi Menachem di Lishvinah, Menachem ben Rabbi Yaakov [part 2, section 42; authored Lashon Limudim commentary on the words according to aleph-bet, manuscript], HaRav Menashe [part 2, section 136], Rabbi Moshe HaLevi Alkabetz [part 2, section 12 (a great sage in Kabbalah who authored Sefer Beit HaShem, Sha'arei Kedusha 64b; see Shlomo Alkabetz)], HaRav Moshe Chanan [part 2, section 67], HaRav Moshe Alfrati, Rabbi Moshe Nagarah [authored Lekach Tov on the Torah in order of the commandments, 5313], Don Moshe HaLevi Avolafiya, HaRav Moshe bar Chayyim Alshich [authored Chavatzelet HaSharon commentary on Daniel; Chelkat Mechokek commentary on Job; Mar'ot HaTzove'ot commentary on Early and Later Prophets and the Twelve; Rav Peninim commentary on Proverbs; Romemot El commentary on Psalms; responsa; Shoshanat HaAmakim commentary on Song of Songs; Torat Moshe commentary on the Torah, 5360], HaRav Moshe Bei Rav son of the sage HaRav Avraham son of HaRav Rabbi Yaakov Bei Rav, HaRav Moshe Dinodo, HaRav Moshe bar Avraham Provitzal, HaRav Moshe Pitzitzi of Arilo [authored Shleimut HaNefesh on matters of creation of the world and other investigations], Moshe Baruch, HaRav Moshe Chizkiyah HaLevi, HaRav Pinchas, Refael Yaziah son of HaRav Shabtai Elchanan Yaziah, HaRav Rabbi Refael Trivosh, HaRav Shaul ibn Viraniah, Rashda [section 292], HaRav Shmuel Kalai renowned in wisdom and fear of sin [part 2, section 67; authored responsa Mishpetei Shmuel, and commentary on some topics, that is 5359], HaRav Shmuel Vido, Shmuel ben Virga [part 2, sections 132 and 134], HaRav Shmuel of Pisa, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz HaLevi [part 2, section 27; authored Ayelet Ahavim commentary on Song of Songs, that is 5312; Manot HaLevi commentary on Megillat Esther with plain meanings and homilies, 5348; Shoresh Yishai on Ruth; and by the verse "For the nights of the night" and in the portion "And this is before in Israel" he wrote, "In my great work on the wisdom of truth called Beit HaShem in its commentaries, and in my possession there is a manuscript with a commentary on the Zohar passage in Bereishit on the portion 'And he made the two great luminaries,' which HaGaon Shlomo bar HaGaon Moshe ben Alkabetz HaLevi responded to HaGaon Yosef Karo, and he wrote: I already mentioned in my book Avotot HaAhavah etc., and I already wrote it in Sefer Beit HaShem etc., and I already explained this in my commentary on Hosea," end of quotation.

Therefore it seems that what is written in Sha'arei Kedusha 64b and followed by the author of Siftei Yeshenim that Sefer Beit HaShem was authored by Rabbi Moshe HaLevi Alkabetz is an error], Rabbi Shlomo Kanefton, Rabbi Shlomo Alshkar, responsa of HaRav Rabbi Shlomo son of HaRav Shmuel Tzemach [brought in part 2, section 172], HaRav Shlomo di Firpinion.

HaRav Rabbi David, son of the minister Don Yosef ibn Yachya [Sha'arei Kedusha 64 writes], he was the tenth generation in the chain of his family. He was a great sage in Torah and in philosophy, grammar, and poetry, and authored works and summaries on grammar and philosophy. In the middle of his days, they chose him in the kingdom of Naples to be their chief rabbi, judge, and dayyan, and there he served for twenty-two years until the exile of Israel from those lands.

He sat in Imola in his house in the year 5300, and in 5350 he passed on to God. His son HaRav Don Yosef was a comprehensive sage in all wisdoms and authored Sefer Or Torah, Derech Chayyim, and Ner Mitzvah, and passed away at age 45 in 5369. Twelve years after his death, his bones were sent to Safed as he had commanded, and he was buried by HaGaon Rabbi Yosef Karo. This Don Yosef his son, our father of blessed memory, left three sons and four daughters, and we his sons and the lady Avigail ibn Yachya, our teacher, restored all four of them to honor.

Don David the elder died at age fifty and left a young son named Achika. HaRav Rabbi Yehudah the second studied in Padua in their university and in the holy Torah, he poured water from HaGaon Rabbi Meir, chief rabbi there, and received the title of doctor of medicine in the year 5316 with great honor the likes of which was not done for any Jew. He married a woman in the exile and died young at age 31 in the year 5320.

My father Gedaliah, son of HaGaon Don Yosef, I was two years old to him when, to fulfill your wishes, I composed this work, besides other works that I composed for my brother and my descendants, all blessed by God. The first is called Commentary on Avot by ibn Yachya, and the second is called Sefer Yachya, which is this chain of tradition. I began it in Verona in the year 5309. The third, Sefer HaDrashot, I began in 5312.

The fourth is called Sefer Divrei HaYamim for the generations of the children of Yachya, the chain of their descendants, from Don Yachya the first from the year 5156 until this day. I began it in 5316. The fifth is called Mishlei Shlomo, which is the interpretation of dreams. I began it in 5317.

Sixth, I interpreted all the foreign words in the Spanish Machzor. I began it in 5322. Seventh, Sefer Chanoch on the lines of the hands and face. I began it in 5330.

Eighth, Sefer Gedaliah, plain meanings. I began it in 5335. Ninth, Sefer Beit Emunah. I began it in 5336 in Alexandria Riah.

Tenth is called Sefer Har Sinai to explain the differences in the statements of Yitro and Kedoshim and Etchanan, and at the end I make a division of the commandments that are practiced in the Diaspora. I began it in 5337. Eleventh is called Ein HaManin to explain the reasons for the uniqueness of Israel and regarding the evil eye. Twelfth, Sefer HaMaskil, a debate between the evil inclination and the good inclination on matters of repentance and laws on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, year 5338.

Thirteenth, Sefer HaHalleluyah to explain from Baruch She'amar until the end of the Shemoneh Esreh. Fourteenth, Sefer Noach to explain the blessing of Yaakov to his sons and his death and the death of Yosef and consolation. Fifteenth, Sefer Ha'Ashurim to explain "Happy are those whose way is perfect." 5338. Sixteenth, Sefer Tochahat Musar, ways of repentance and beautiful confession.

I began it in 5340. Seventeenth, Sefer HaLimudim to explain aggadot in the Talmud. Eighteenth, Sefer Darkei No'am to teach the good way to man, and 25 sermons on the portions of the Torah. I began it in 5342.

Nineteenth, Sefer HaParashot to give reasons for all the portions of the Torah, of which there are 669: why this one is closed and this one open, and why this one is adjacent to that one. I began it in 5342. Twentieth is called Mo'ed Katan to expound on every holiday. I began it in 5348.

Twenty-first is called Etz Chayyim to answer all doubts asked about matters of resurrection of the dead. I began it in the year 5346 [(Sha'arei Kedusha 64-66)].

In this year, Sultan Suleiman commanded to build the walls of Jerusalem and to bring fountains of water into the city [(in Sha'arei Kedusha 116, page 72, he writes that this was in the days of Rabbi Yosef Karo, year 5300, which is 1380 years after the Destruction; there is an error, and it appears to be 1472)]. In this year, the sun came out in its might and there was great heat all summer, and there were many fires in the forest trees in many places, and there was abundant wine like Cypriot wine, good in taste and sweet [(Tzedah LaDerech, Part 2)].