Moses Capsali

Moses Capsali (* 1420 in Crete, † 1495 in Istanbul) was the Chief Rabbi of Istanbul.

Moses Capsali first studied with his father in Crete and continued his studies in Italy and Germany. From about 1445, he served as rabbi in Constantine Opel and was confirmed after the conquest of Constantinople Opel in 1453 in his office. Capsali enjoyed great reputation both as an intellectual and as a community leader and was appointed by Sultan Mehmed II, together with the Mufti and the Christian Patriarch to the Imperial Council ( Divan ). He remained in office until his death in 1495th

Literature (selection )

  • Bernard Lewis, The Jews in the Islamic world. From the early Middle Ages to the 20th century. Munich 2004, ISBN 3-406-51074-4
  • David Abraham: Capsali, Moses ben Elijah. In: Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd edition, Volume 4, Detroit / New York, among others 2007, ISBN 978-0-02-865932-9, p 456 ( English)
Fall of Constantinople Heinrich Graetz
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