Rav Don Yitzchak Abarbanel (1437-1508, 10th of Av). The Abarbanel was born in Lisbon, Portugal, to an illustrious Sephardic family which traced its lineage back to Dovid Hamelech. When Rav Yitzchak was only 20, he completed his first book, Ateres Zekeinim, and began to work on his famous commentary on the Torah.
The Abarbanel served as the treasurer of King Alfonso until he was forced to move to Castile (Spain). In March 1492, following the Spanish conquest of Granada, an edict was issued expelling the Jews from Spain. Despite his political influence, the Abarbanel was unable to prevent the expulsion of 1492, and refused the king’s offer to remain at his post, choosing instead to throw his lot in with that of his people. On Tisha B’Av, 1492, he led 300,000 Jews out of the country.
