Shimon Shokek

Rabbi Zerachiah the Greek, also known by the acronym Ra'Za'H, was a Jewish ethicist who lived in the Byzantine Empire during the 13th or 14th century. Little is known about his life, but he is recognized as the author of an ethical treatise titled Sefer ha-Yashar. This work should not be confused with other Jewish texts bearing the same name.

Historically, Sefer ha-Yashar was mistakenly attributed to Jacob Tam, a renowned scholar, due to the shared title. Menahem Lonzano later corrected this, identifying Zerachiah as the true author. However, a further confusion arose because Zerachiah ha-Yewani shared initials with Zerachiah Ha-Levi Gerondi, author of Sefer ha-Ma'or, leading some to wrongly attribute Sefer ha-Yashar to Gerondi. Zerachiah the Greek's work was first published in Constantinople in 1526 and has since seen numerous editions.

Zerachiah the Greek's primary contribution is his ethical work, Sefer ha-Yashar. This treatise is structured into eighteen concise chapters. Its central theme revolves around the ethical principles that govern the relationship between humanity and the Divine. The work draws significant inspiration from Bahya ibn Paquda's Hobot ha-Lebabot. Zerachiah himself acknowledged studying Bahya's work, noting that he found it excessively lengthy and complex for the general readership.

The influence of Bahya ibn Paquda's Hobot ha-Lebabot is particularly evident in the opening chapter of Sefer ha-Yashar, titled Sod Beri'at 'Olam. This introductory section serves as a condensed version of the chapters Sha'ar ha-Yihud and Sha'ar ha-Behinah from Bahya's work. The Sefer ha-Yashar was first printed in 1526 in Constantinople and has been reissued multiple times since its initial publication.