Domenico Gerosolimitano

Ecclesiastical censor of Hebrew books

Domenico Gerosolimitano, formerly known as Rabbi Samuel Vivas of Jerusalem, was a prominent figure in the realm of Hebrew book censorship. Born in Jerusalem, he converted and took on the name Domenico Gerosolimitano, going on to become a notable ecclesiastical censor. His work had a significant impact on the Jewish community, particularly in the context of Hebrew literature.

Gerosolimitano's most notable contribution was the creation of Sefer Hazikkuk, a comprehensive guide to the censorship of Hebrew books. This work, equivalent to the Index Expurgatorius, played a crucial role in shaping the censorship of Hebrew texts during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. As an ecclesiastical censor, Gerosolimitano's efforts had far-reaching consequences for the dissemination of Jewish knowledge and ideas during this period.