DEL VECCHIO (Min ha-Zekenim), SHABBETAI EL-HANAN BEN ELISHA

DEL VECCHIO (Min ha-Zekenim), SHABBETAI EL-HANAN BEN ELISHA (1707–?), Italian rabbi, posek, and preacher. In his youth Del Vecchio studied under his grandfather, Solomon David Del Vecchio, who ordained him as rabbi. In 1727 he was ordained rabbi also by the rabbis of Ferrara who included Isaac *Lampronti, with whom he was on friendly terms from his youth. He was a teacher in several Italian communities: Leghorn, Ancona, and Lugo from 1730 to 1739, when he was appointed rabbi of the town of Casale. Del Vecchio was alone among his Italian contemporaries in that 20 of his responsa were included in the Paḥad Yiẓḥak of Lampronti. Del Vecchio used to sign his responsa as "Malkat Sheva" ("Queen of Sheba"; from Sh abbetai B en E lisha). He was also on friendly terms with Ḥ.J.D. *Azulai who visited him in Casale in 1755.

His writings are still in manuscript: Yeled Zekunim, a collection of letters sent to him by rabbis and emissaries with his replies, some of which were published by J. Nacht (see bibl.). His halakhic works are Ir Miklat on the precepts; Mishpat ha-Morim; Da'at Zekenim; Ta'am Zekenim; and Penei Zekenim. Responsa and additional letters are to be found in the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York (nos. 55–915–1044).

bibliography:

Ghirondi-Neppi, 321f.; J. Nacht, in: Mi-Ginzei Yerushalayim, 25 (1932), 1–22; idem, in: Zion, 6 (1934), 114–38; B. Cohen, in: Sefer ha-Yovel… A. Marx (1943), 55 no. 155; M. Wilensky, in: KS, 23 (1946/7), 198–9; 27 (1950/1), 113; M. Benayahu, in: Sinai, Sefer Yovel (1958), 491–503; M. Benayahu, Rabbi Ḥ.Y.D. Azulai (Heb., 1959), index, s.v.Min ha-Zekenim Shabbetai Elḥanan.

[Abraham David]