R. Jehiel Melli served as rabbi in Mantua in the beginning of the seventeenth century. His son-in-law was R. David Portaleone. R. Melli is best remembered for this digest of Reshit Hokhmah. R. David Lida served as rabbi in Ostrog, Mainz, and of the Ashkenazi community of Amsterdam. R. Elijah ben Moses de Vidas (16th century) was one of the sages of Safed. Almost nothing is known about Vidas’ background, but he is believed to have been born in Safed. Vidas was a disciple of R. Moses Cordovero (Ramak), whose kabbalistic approach is evident throughout Reshit Hokhmah, and of R. Isaac Luri (ha-Ari), although the latter’s influence is much less evident. In his last years Vidas resettled in Hebron where he served as rabbi.