Manasseh (Porat), ben-Joseph of Ilya

(1767–1831)

   Unorthodox Lithuanian talmudist. Manasseh was a brilliant talmudist who came under the influence of rationalism and was led to question some interpretations of the Mishnah given by RAS HI and even by the Talmud. He wanted poor Jews trained as artisans, and encouraged the study of mathematics and the sciences. He was persecuted for his views by the Orthodox, who prevented many of his books from being printed and burned one publicly in Vilna. He resigned from his position as rabbi of Smorgon rather than refrain from castigating community leaders who delivered young children into the hands of Czar NICHOLAS l’s recruiting officers.