R' Donash was a philosopher, physician, astronomer and prolific
author. He was born in Iraq and died in Kairouan, Tunisia.
Only one of R' Donash's works, a commentary on Sefer Yetzirah,
survives. In it, R' Donash relates that many early manuscripts of
R' Saadiah Gaon (892-942), written while the latter still lived in
Egypt (before 928), reached R' Donash's teacher, R' Yitzchak
HaYisraeli. R' Yitzchak, in turn, instructed R' Donash which part
of those works he agreed with and which he disputed. R' Donash
also mentions some of his other books, including a treatise on
astrology written in honor of the caliph, and one on astronomy
written at the request of R' Chisdai ibn Shaprut.
R' Avraham ibn Ezra quotes R' Donash in some of his works,
sometimes by the name "R' Adonim ben Tamim Hamizrachi" often
disagreeing with him. Nevertheless, ibn Ezra places R' Donash
alongside R' Saadiah Gaon and R' Yehuda ben Kuraish among those
whom he calls the "Elders of the Holy Tongue." (This R' Donash
should not be confused with R' Donash Halevi ben Labrat, the
disputant of Menachem ben Saruk who is quoted numerous times by
Rashi. That R' Donash lived a century later.) (Sources: The
Artscroll Rishonim, p.50; Commentary of Ibn Ezra to Kohelet 12:5
genesis@torah.org |
