135 The sort of literature designated by this word will be defined later on, pp.191-2. 136 Chap. VI, p.125. 137 Concerning the Biblical exegesis of Samuel ben Meir see pp.196-7. 138 See Note 91. 139 It has been said that "Tossafot" signifies "supplements to Rashi;" this is not true, but it is noteworthy that the expression Is open to such a misconstruction. 140 Dampierre on the Aube, at present part of the canton of Rameru, counted, after the twelfth century, among the most important lordships in the region. 141 The name "Morel," customary among English Jews, corresponds to the Hebrew name "Samuel." 142 See pp.202-3. 143 The numeric value of the letters composing the word Gan in Hebrew is 53, the number of Pentateuch lessons in the annual cycle. 144 See chap. VII, pp.157-8. 145 Concerning Rashi and Ibn Ezra, see chap. VI, p.131. 146 David Kimhi (1160-1235), of Narbonne, a philosopher, a follower of Maimonides, a grammarian, and an exegete, who popularized the works of the Spaniards by his Biblical commentaries, his grammar, and his dictionary. He enjoyed and still enjoys a deserved reputation for clearness and simplicity. 147 Moses ben Nahman, also called Bonastruc da Porta, born at Gerona in 1195, was a Talmudist, Kabbalist, philosopher, and physician. In 1263 he carried on a disputation at Barcelona with the apostate Pablo Christiano. On this account he went to live in Palestine, where he died in 1270. His was one of the most original personalities in Spanish Judaism. 148 Solomon ben Abraham ben Adret (1235-1310), born at Barcelona, rabbi and head of an influential school there. The extent of his knowledge as well as his moderation won for him a wide reputation, proof of which is afforded by his intervention as arbiter in the quarrel between the partisans and the adversaries of Maimonides, and by his numerous Responsa, of which about three thousand have been published. Besides, he wrote Talmudic commentaries and casuistic collections. 149 Asher ben Jehiel, disciple of Meir of Rothenburg, born about 1250, died in 1327 at Toledo, where he was rabbi. Besides numerous and important Responsa he wrote Talmudic commentaries and a compendium of the Talmud bearing his name. 150 His initials read Ribash (1336-1408). He exercised rabbinical functions in several cities of Spain. After the persecutions of 1391, he went to Algiers, where he was appointed rabbi. He was well-informed in philosophy, but he owes his great reputation chiefly to his Talmudic knowledge, as is proved by his numerous Responsa.