Simeon Kara

Simeon Kara, also known as Simeon ben Helbo Kara, was a prominent French rabbi of the 11th century, residing in Mans. He belonged to a notable family of rabbis, being the brother of Menahem ben Helbo and the father of Joseph Ḳara. As a respected figure in his community, Simeon Kara was recognized by his contemporaries for his scholarly contributions to Judaism.

Although none of Simeon Kara's works have survived to the present day, his reputation as a leading French rabbi has endured. Isaac de Lattes, a notable scholar, included him in his list of prominent French rabbis in the Ḳiryat Sefer. Some researchers, such as J.L. Rapoport, have attempted to associate Simeon Kara with the compilation of the Yalḳuṭ Shim'oni, based on similarities with Rashi's commentary. However, this attribution has been disputed by Abraham Epstein, who found inconsistencies in the manuscript readings, suggesting that the true identity of the compiler remains uncertain.