Rabbi Shimon Lavi

Rabbi Shimon Lavi - also referred to as Shimon ibn Lavi (1486-1585), Morocco, Libya; Sephardi Hacham, kabbalist, physician, astronomer, and poet. Set out to immigrate to Israel in 1549 but was kidnapped and held for ransom by "Arab bandits". Was redeemed and came to Tripoli, where he found the community lacked spiritual guidance. Credited with the founding of religious institutions and the revival of Torah study in Libya, where he served as spiritual leader and dayan for over three decades. Authored a commentary on the Zohar titled Ketem Paz.