Background
He is also known as the RaN (ר"ן), the Hebrew acronym of his name, as well as the RaNbaR (רנב"ר), the Hebrew acronym of his full name, including his father"s name, Reuven (ראובן). The RaN was born in Barcelona, Catalonia.
Astronomer philosopher physician
He is also known as the RaN (ר"ן), the Hebrew acronym of his name, as well as the RaNbaR (רנב"ר), the Hebrew acronym of his full name, including his father"s name, Reuven (ראובן). The RaN was born in Barcelona, Catalonia.
He was one of the last of the great Spanish medieval talmudic scholars. He was a Physician and had knowledge of astronomy. RaN was considered the greatest Halachic authority of his generation, and queries were sent to him from throughout the Jewish diaspora.
His closest disciples were the Rivash (Isaac ben Sheshet) and Hasdai Crescas.
In his analyses, Nissim frequently refutes other rishonim. In his legal rulings however, he generally adopts their opinions in practice.