Isaac ben-Schescheth (Barfat), one of the most distinguishorl i;al,l,is ofthc 14th century, was bom about 1310, at or near Saragossa (Spain). He presided
over the congregation at Saragossa for a number of years, and when, in 1391, the persecutions instituted against the Jews made it impossible for him to remain, he removed to Algiers, where he continued to hold a like position luitil his death, about 1444, and appointed as his successor the celebrated Simon ben-Simach Du- ran (q. v.). He was especially celebrated for his thor- ough acquaintance with Jewish tradition. Not only from all parts of Spain, but from the different parts of Europe, he was constantly invited to express his opin- ion on the meaning of obscure Talmudical passages. These were collected, and form a very important source for the study of the interpretation of the Talmud, and convey at the same time a pretty accurate idea of the state of the Jews in his day, not only in Spain and Al- giers, but in France and even other countries as well. His works are ninVOfll niPXU, a collection of Ilala- choth (edited by Samuel Levi in 2 parts, Constantinople, 1547, fol. and often) : — tlliPin by S, or Commentary on the Pentateuch, with notes from the Talmud : — C'^y^'nri, also a work on the Talmud. The latter two, we think, still remain in IMS. form. See Gratz, Gesch. d. Juden, viii, 33 sq., 109 sq. ; Jost, Gesch. d. Judenihums, iii, 87; Fiirst, Biblioth. Judaica, ii, 145. (J. H. W.)
Isaac ben-Suleiman (Scdomo) Israeli, a Jew- ish philosopher and philologian, was born in Egypt about 845. He was a physician by profession, and as such attained to very high distinction, serving from 904 to his death at Kairuan, as private physician to the reigning prince, and celebrated as the author of sever- al medical works valuable even in our day. But also as philologian and philosopher he attained great notoriety, more particularly as the author of a philosophical com- mentary on the first chapters of Genesis, treating of the Creation, of which, however, only a part is now extant. It bore the title of Sefer Jezirah, whence the error that he wrote a commentary on the book Jezirah. He died about 940. See Griitz, Gesch. d. Juden, v, 282 sq. (J. H. W.)
Isaac Blitz. See Jekuthiel ben-Isaac.
Isaac Campanton. See Kampantox.
Isaac, Daniel, a prominent ^Methodist minister, commonly designated as the Wesleyan "Polemic Di- vine," was born at Caythorpe, in the county cf Lincoln, England, July 7, 1778. He was early devoted to books, and, on his conversion in his nineteenth year, he at once determined to devote his life to the work of the Chris- tian ministry. In 1800 he joined the Conference on probation, supplying at this time a vacancy on Grimsby Circuit. He soon rose to great distinction among his brethren in the ministry, and was appointed to some of the most prominent charges at the command of his de- nomination. May 20, 1832, Avhile in Manchester preach- ing in behalf of the Sunday-school work, he was seized with paralysis, from the effects of which he never recov- ered. At the session of the next Conference he was present, and believed himself sufficiently recovered to re-enter upon active work, and was appointed to York Circuit, an old and favorite circuit, to which he was now sent for the third time. But he began to fail fast, and died in the midst of his work, IMarch 21, 1834, Speak- ing of the abilities of Daniel Isaac, the Rev. Samuel Dunn says : " He was an independent thinker, acute reasoner, formidable opponent, dexterous polemic, sound theologian, striking, instructive, extemporaneous preach- er, perspicuous writer, generous benefactor, faithful friend, and amiable Christian. His intellect was orig- inal, subtle, analogical, penetrating, clear, strong. His manner was deliberate, grave, conversational, pointed, humorous, sarcastic, ironical. The sagacious Henry Moore remarked : ' Daniel Isaac, like Paul, reasoned with his hearers out of the Scriptures ; and he kept in them, never went out of them, and never reasoned him- self out of them.' If at any time he drew a smile from his hearers, he would maintain the utmost gravity: He
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displayed great power in grappling with the conscience, and ill bringing to light the hicUien things of darkness. Of the ludicrous he had a marvellous perception, and could present an object in such a light as to excite the indignation or the loathing of those who before admired it. He painted from life. Many hearers were disgust- ed with their own likeness as they saw it in the clear mirror he held before them. He was never declamatory or ornate. In debate he was remarkably cool, calm, collected, keen, argumentative, and close. There was no trembling hesitancy, quibbling, or artifice. He en- gaged in no sham fight ; never brandished the sword at a distance, but came at once to close (luarters, grappled with his opponent, pierced his vitals, and took from him his armor." But the great strength of Daniel Isaac lay in his pen, and he wielded it with especial ability in matters of controversy. His works are. Universal Res- toration (N. Y. 1830, 12mo), in which he meets the ob- jections of the Universalists to the eternity of punish- ment : — Sermons on the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ (Lond. 1815): — Ecclesiastical Claims (Lond. 181G), the views of which his Conference disapproved, but to which, in a reply, he steadfastly adhered. Dr. George Smith {flistory of Wesleyan Methodism, iii, 7) says of this work and the action of the Conference: "In many important respects the work does great credit to the author's industry and research. It contains tlie most convincing proofs, from Scripture and history, of the groundless character and the extravagant claims put forth on behalf of the ministerial order by Papists and High-Churchmen, and clearly shows the contra- dictions, impieties, and absurdities to which the admis- sion of these claims must inevitably lead. 15ut in doing this, jNIr. Isaac went so far as to impugn the scriptural position of the Christian ministry as held by Wesley and the jNIethodist people. Nor is this the only serious defect in the work; some passages tlierain are grossly indelicate and irreverent, if not, indeed, profane (from this charge, however, it should be said, others seek to free Mr. Isaac) ; while, as stated in the resolution of the Conference, its ' general spirit and style' are decidedly improper. . . . The case is greatly to be regretted. Mr. Isaac's ability, energy, and sterling wortli are fully ad- mitted, and it is equally clear to our judgment, from a careful perusal of the work, that the Conference were not only justified in adopting the course they pursued, but were compelled to pursue it by the circumstances of the case." His next work was published whilst he was stationed at Leicester, and on terms the most friend- ly with Robert Hall, the celebrated Baptist minister. It was entitled Baptism Discussed, This volume Hall would never read; but, when urged to do it by his friends, he remarked, in good temper, " If he has ex- posed our views of baptism as he exposed the Episco- palians in his Ecclesiastical Claims, the Lord have mercy upon us." Isaac also wrote pamphlets against the use of instrumental music in the house of God, and on the Leeds organ discussions. He edited the Life of his fa- ther. Memoirs of the Rev. John Straiue, and published sketches of the Lives of Robert Bolton, John Corbett, and other old Divines. In 1826 he began, at the insti- gation of the Rev. Samuel Dunn, a work on the Atone- inent, which made its appearance a few years after. His works were edited after his death by the venerable John Burdsall, and jiublished at London (1828, in 3 vols. 8vo). See Everett, Polemic Divine, or Memoirs, etc., of Rev. Dan. Lmac (Lond. 1839); Stevens, Hist, of Methodism, iii, 482 sq. (J. H. W.)