Leon of Modena

Leon of Modena (Hebrew: יְהוּדָה אַרְיֵה מִמּוֹדִינָא, romanized: Yəhud̲ā Aryē miModenā, 1571–1648) was a Jewish scholar born in Venice to a family whose ancestors migrated to Italy after an expulsion of Jews from France.

those of preacher, teacher of Jews and Christians, reader of prayers, interpreter, writer, proof-reader, bookseller, broker, merchant, rabbi, musician, matchmaker and manufacturer of amulets.

[3] Leon of Modena earned a place in Jewish history in part by his criticism of the mystical[citation needed] approach to Judaism.

At the behest of an English nobleman, Leon prepared an account of Jewish customs and rituals, Historia de gli riti Hebraici (1637).

At the time, the issue of whether Jews should be permitted to resettle in Britain was coming to the fore, and Leon of Modena's book did much to stimulate popular interest.

Earlier, he is believed to have introduced some polyphony in the synagogue at Ferrara, and wrote two essays on music justifying polyphonic practice in services and celebrations.