Levi Ben-Gershom: Intellectual
ti
By RICHARD G. BURNS
(Editor's note: The follow-
ing article by local photog-
rapher Richard Burns was
initiated after Burns no-
ticed Levi Ben-Gershom's
achievements, but name
missing, in a photography
reference work.)
Levi Ben-Gershom (1288-
1344) was a Jewish scientist
and scholar of Arles,
Fr whose searching
mifia and broad intellectual
pursuits led him into the
areas of mathematics, as-
tronomy, biblical com-
mentary and philosophy.
The camera obscura field a
fascinating interest for him.
A pre-photography won-
der, the camera obscura,
from the Latin 'Darkened
Room' had its original prin-
ciple established by Aris-
totle. A tiny hole in the wall
of a darkened chamber proj-
ected a view of outside ob-
jects on an opposite wall up-
side down.
Much later, after optics
were discovered in the 15th
Century, a box was used
with a lens and mirror to re-
flect an image right side
up.
Artists also used this aid
to trace landscapes and to
help them draw and paint
portraits. Among these
were Leonardo Da Vinci
and Giambattista della
Porta. In the 18th Century
Josiah Wedgewood, whose
family is noted as makers
of tasteful pottery, also
used this small picture box.
Levi Ben-Gershom pio-
neered the camera obscura
according to his Hebrew
writings in "De sinebus
chordis et arcubis", trans-
lated in 1342, to avoid har-
ming the eyes in observing
solar eclipses. In the 10th
Century, an Arabian schol-
ar, Hassan Ibn Hassan also
described a camera ob-
scura.
In the same book, on the
subject of mathematics,
Levi wrote an important
treatise on trigonometry;
on geometry, he introduced
his own axioms in place of
Euclid's truths; on the sine
theorem, in the case of
plane triangles, his sine
tables are correct to the
fifth decimal.
In his commentary on the
Pentateuch, Levi reports
that he wrote a com-
mentary on the talmudic
treatise "Berakhot", but
th )mmentary is lost. He
wa, consulted on questions
of Halakha; wrote three
poems (Pizmonim) for the
Shavuot holiday. They were
published and translated
into French.
Levi was also the author
of a parody written for the
festival of Purim entitled,
"Megillat Setarim (Scroll
of Mysteries).
Levi also wrote com-
mentaries on Aristotelian
logic and on letters con-
cerning the separate in-
tellect with man which
were published in volume
one of the Venice edition of
the works of Aristotle (1550-
52). His comments on both
Aristotle and Averroes,
where he manifests an inde-
pendent spirit in relation to
the two nhilosophers- are
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
■
Friday, September 9, 1977 9
Nettie Freilich
Sherilyn Lisagor
Dons Zak
/
Helen Lattin
Sylvia Buckfire
Martin Lattin
Lenore Morris
Shown is the title page of "The Book of the Wars of the
Lord," the chief work of Levi Ben-Gershom of 14th Cen-
tury France.
Nancy Baron
Anita Mentzel
frequently inserted with the dreams, prophecy, divine
words 'Amu Levi' (Levi knowledge, providence, ce-
says). In these notes he de- lestial spheres, separate in-
velops, criticizes or cor- tellects and their relation-
rects aspects of the ideas of ship with God, creation of
Aristotle and Averroes.
the world, miracles and
Levi wrote commentaries how one recognizes the true
on Job, Song of Songs, Ec- prophet.
clesiastes, Ruth, Esther,
A master of medieval as-
the Pentateuch, the Proph- tronomy, Levi also defined
ets, Proverbs, Daniel, Nehe- the construction and use of
miah and Chronicles. All astronomical instruments;
these were published. It is an analysis of several
noted that the commentary schemes for arranging ce-
on Job is one of the first lestial motions : solar, lunar
books to be printed in Hebr- and planetary. He was ex-
ew (Ferrara 1477) soon pert at discussions of the
after Gutenberg invented order of planets and their
the printing press. Still distances from the earth.
being read today, these lit- His extensive records of ob-
eral explanations are truly servations were quite rare
the work of a fine biblical among medieval astrono-
scholar and philosopher.
mers.
Levi's most important
work is titled, "The Book of
The luminosity of Levi
the Wars of the Lord" pub- Ben-Gershom's brilliant
lished in Italy in 1560, tak- achievements makes us
ing 12 years to write. This pause and reflect that he
major work deals with the was one of the 14th Cen-
immortality Of the soul, tury's greatest intellects.
Lillian Collens
Millie Rubenstein
Wendy Wenokur
All of us who are privileged
to serve you at
sincerely hope that
THE
Coca-Cola Chief to Be Cited
at National Israel Bond Dinner
NEW YORK — The Coca-
Cola Co. and its chairman
and chief executive officer,
J. Paul Austin, will be hon-
ored at a national Israel
Bond dinner on the occa-
sion of the 10th anniversary
of Coca-Cola in Israel.
The anniversary dinner,
to be held at the Washing-
ton Hilton Hotel in Washing-
ton, D.C. on Oct. 8, will be
under the auspices of a com-
mittee of distinguished, fig-
ures in American industry
and the American Jewish
community.
Announcement of the trib-
ute was made by the gener-
al chairman of the dinner
committee, Irving W. Rabb
of Boston.
Abba Eban, former For-
eign Minister of Israel, will
be the principal speaker at
the dinner.
The .Israel Prime Min-
ister's Medal will be pre-
sented to Austin at the din-
ner "in appreciation for his
distinguished service to de-
mocracy and freedom and
his company's outstanding
support for the economic
well-being of Israel."
A contract to bottle Coca-
Cola in Israel was granted
in 1966 to Abraham Fein-
berg, prominent American
business leader.
Coca-Cola in Israel provid-
es employment for about
300 people and the produc-
tion facility has four addi-
tional warehouses at Jerusa-
lem, Haifa, Beersheba and
Eilat. The original 17 route
trucks have increased to
over 100, which is the larg-
est truck fleet in the coun-
try except for the post of-
fice.
and bring great happiness
and good health to be
shared with your family
and friends.
x
H
■
Phyllis
Borin
I NO M tfil
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