Isaac ben Sheshet Perfet

Isaac ben Sheshet Perfet, also known by the acronym "Rivash" was a 14th-century Spanish halakhic authority. Born in Barcelona, he was a primary disciple of Rabbeinu Nissim, and in 1370, he was imprisoned in Barcelona on false charges together with his teacher and five others. After they were acquitted, he left Barcelona and accepted a rabbinic position in Saragossa. However the city was beset by strife, which prompted him to leave and settle in Valencia where he directed a talmudic academy. The Valencian historical record indicates that he was forced to convert to Christianity on the ninth of Av, 1391. Some 18 months later, he escaped Spain to Algeria, where he was received with much honor and was — after some contention — appointed community rabbi. Many of his legal writings take up questions of forced conversation. His halakhic work is oft cited in the Shulchan Arukh. He also wrote commentaries on parts of the Talmud and the Torah.