Benjamin of Cambridge

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BENJAMIN OF CAMBRIDGE

BENJAMIN OF CAMBRIDGE (12th–13th century), English scholar, pupil of R. *Tam. A number of Benjamin's opinions on halakhah, grammar, and exegesis are preserved in scattered secondary sources. He is referred to as "Benjamin of קנטברייא," formerly interpreted as Canterbury, but without doubt designating Cambridge ("Caunbrigge"). His English origin is confirmed by the citation of one of his opinions by *Elijah Menahem b. Moses of London. He is to be identified with "Magister Benjamin" of Cambridge, mentioned in English records, who maintained the local synagogue.

bibliography:

C. Roth, Intellectual Activities of Medieval English Jewry (1948), 136, 149; H.P. Stokes, Studies in Anglo-Jewish History (1913), 113–4; J. Jacobs, Jews of Angevin England (1893), 54, 281; S. Eppenstein, in: mgwj, 40 (1896), 178; 41 (1897), 222; Urbach, in: Essays … I. Brodie (Heb. vol., 1966), 13ff.

[Cecil Roth]

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