IKRITI, SHEMARIAH

(1275-1355)

Italian philosopher and biblical commentator. He was brought up in Crete and spent most of his life in Italy. In 1352 he went to Spain on an unsuccessful mission to reconcile Karaites and Rabbinites; he was accused of messianic pretentions and died in prison. His works include a philosophical commentary on the Bible, a cosmological polemic, and a study of talmudic legends.