In I got It!
The Most Ancient Yeshiva in Italy
The Padova Yeshiva is Considered the Oldest in the Region
The largest and most ancient Yeshiva in Italy was founded by Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi Mintz 550 years ago in Padova, Italy.
The Yeshiva was established in 1458\5218 by Rabbi Mintz, also referred to as the Mahari Mintz, who managed it for fifty years until his passing in 1508\5268.
His son, Rabbi Avraham Mintz, lead the Yeshiva during his lifetime, and after his passing the leadership was transferred to his son-in-law, Rabbi Meir Katzenellenbogen, the Maharam of Padova, who was a descendant of the famous Katzenellenbogen family which traces its roots to the Tosfos, and from there to Rashi, all the way up to King David.
The son of the Maharam of Padova, who was the Rabbi of Venetia and who printed the first edition of the Mishne Torah of the Rambam, was Rabbi Shmuel Yehudah Katzenellenbogen. He served as Chief Rabbi of Venetia as well as Rosh Yeshiva in Padova.
There had been Yeshivas in Italy before the Yeshiva in Padova, such as the Yeshiva of Rabbi Nathan ben Ephraim during the 9th century. Nevertheless, the Yeshiva in Padova is considered the largest and most veteran Yeshiva in the region.
As of today, close to 35,000 Jews reside in Italy in 21 communities across the country.