ABOAB, ISAAC DE FONSECA

(1605-93)

Portuguese rabbi. He was the first rabbi in the western hemisphere. Born a marrano in Portugal, he emigrated to Holland. In 1641 he travelled to Recife, Brazil. He later went to Amsterdam where he was appointed hakham. He was a follower ofShabbetai Tzevi, and a member of the tribunal which excom-municatedBenedict Spinoza.