Levi Ben Gerson: On Astronomy and Physical Experiments

Abstract

Levi ben Gerson (1288–1344), sometimes called Gersonides or Leo de Balneolis, is well known as a philosopher, biblical exegete, mathematician, and astronomer. He lived in Orange and occasionally visited Avignon where his brother was physician to the Pope. The family name was de Balneolis, but there is no evidence that he himself was born or ever lived in Bagnols (cf. Shatzmiller, 1972, 1974). Levi does not cite any contemporaries and little is known of his life. He is mentioned by a few Hebrew writers of the fourteenth century: the astronomer Immanuel ben Jacob Bonfils of Tarascon (fl. ca. 1360), who may have been his pupil; the philosopher Judah Cohen (fl. ca. 1320–1350) who called Levi ‘the lion of the group’ (ha-ari shebahavura: Renan, 1893, p. 654); and the physician and historian Isaac de Lattes (fl. ca. 1372: Renan, 1893, pp. 682, 689–90; cf. Touati, 1973, pp. 541–59).