Isaac ibn Sid
Encyclopedia
Isaac ibn Sid was a Spanish-Jewish astronomer; he flourished at the Toledo School of Translators
in the second half of the thirteenth century.
From the surname "haḤazzan
", given him by Isaac Israeli ben Joseph
("Yesod'Olam," iv. 30), it may be inferred that he was precentor at the synagogue
.
Isaac ibn Sid took a leading part in the compilation of the Alfonsine Tables
. Isaac Israeli (ib.) states that he saw recorded in Isaac ibn Sid's own handwriting three observations of moon eclipses made by him at the order of Alfonso. In official documents (De Castro, "Bibliotheca," i. 184b) Isaac ibn Sid is termed by Alfonso "our learned Rabbi Çag."
In 1277 Isaac translated from the Arabic a work on the quadrant
. His name is also connected with the invention of various instruments (De Castro, l.c. i. 144a, 156a, 157).
Toledo School of Translators
The Toledo School of Translators is the name that commonly describes the group of scholars who worked together in the city of Toledo during the 12th and 13th centuries, to translate many of the philosophical and scientific works from classical Arabic, classical Greek, and ancient Hebrew.The School...
in the second half of the thirteenth century.
From the surname "haḤazzan
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
", given him by Isaac Israeli ben Joseph
Isaac Israeli ben Joseph
Isaac Israeli ben Joseph or Yitzhak ben Yosef was a Spanish-Jewish astronomer/astrologer who flourished at Toledo in the first half of the fourteenth century...
("Yesod'Olam," iv. 30), it may be inferred that he was precentor at the synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
.
Isaac ibn Sid took a leading part in the compilation of the Alfonsine Tables
Alfonsine tables
The Alfonsine tables provided data for computing the position of the Sun, Moon and planets relative to the fixed stars....
. Isaac Israeli (ib.) states that he saw recorded in Isaac ibn Sid's own handwriting three observations of moon eclipses made by him at the order of Alfonso. In official documents (De Castro, "Bibliotheca," i. 184b) Isaac ibn Sid is termed by Alfonso "our learned Rabbi Çag."
In 1277 Isaac translated from the Arabic a work on the quadrant
Quadrant (instrument)
A quadrant is an instrument that is used to measure angles up to 90°. It was originally proposed by Ptolemy as a better kind of astrolabe. Several different variations of the instrument were later produced by medieval Muslim astronomers.-Types of quadrants:...
. His name is also connected with the invention of various instruments (De Castro, l.c. i. 144a, 156a, 157).