Samuel ben Samson

Samuel ben Samson was a 13th-century Jewish rabbi from the Kingdom of France, notable for his pilgrimage to Palestine in 1210. During his journey, he visited several significant locations, including the Old City of Jerusalem, where he prayed on the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. His travels also took him to other important sites, such as the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, as well as the cities of Beth-Shean, Tiberias, and Safed.

Ben Samson was accompanied on his pilgrimage by fellow rabbis, including Jonathan ben David ha-Cohen, for whom he likely served as secretary. The group, which consisted of four rabbis, travelled extensively, reaching as far east as Mosul. Ben Samson's account of his journey had a profound impact, inspiring a significant number of medieval English and French Jews to settle in the land of Israel in 1211, with estimates suggesting around 300 individuals made the move. His pilgrimage and subsequent influence played a notable role in the history of Jewish migration to the region.