Azaria Piccio

Azaria Piccio (Hebrew: עזריה בן אפרים פיגו, Azarya ben Efrayim Figo; 1579–5 or 6 February 1647) was a Venetian Talmudist, sofer (scribe) and darshan (preacher) who served in the Jewish communities of Venice and Pisa.[1]

Born in Venice and originally a scholar of things secular,[2] Piccio eventually devoted himself to the study of the Talmud.[3] Owing to his background, his preaching was heavily laced with scientific, especially medical, references.[3] His sermons were also composed according to Classical models.[4] He was especially close to his mentor Leone de Modena,[5] with whom he shared an openness toward the modern world.[3] David B. Ruderman writes that “while [Piccio] argues for the insufficiency of the sciences, he clearly does not dismiss their validity altogether.”[3]

Piccio was the author of Iggerot uteshuvot (“Letters and Responsa”), published within Issacar Eilenburg's Be’er sheva (Venice, 1614).[6] As rabbi in Pisa, he wrote Giddulei Terumah (1643),[7] a commentary on Shmu’el haSardi's Sefer Haterumot. A compilation of 75 Sabbath and holiday sermons that he delivered in Venice was published under the title Binah Le’ittim (1647–1648),[8] a work which remains popular to this day, particular among Mizraẖi Jews.[9]

Piccio had two sons, Lazzaro and Efrem, who together wrote a commentary on Yeruẖam ben Meshullam’s Toldot Adam veH̱avva. Both Piccio’s sons died during the 1629–31 Italian plague.

Piccio died in Rovigo on 5 or 6 February 1647 and was buried there. He is considered to have been “one of the last great talmudists produced by Italian Jewry”.[2]