IBN ZABARA (or Zabarra), JOSEPH BEN MEIR (b. about 1140), physician and Hebrew writer. Born in Barcelona, Ibn Zabara was a contemporary of some of the *Tibbon family, of *Maimonides and of Judah *Al-Ḥarizi ; Joseph *Kimḥi praised his scientific knowledge in his Commentary to Proverbs. Ibn Zabara became known through his Sefer Sha'ashu'im ("Book of Amusements"), one of the best maqamāt written. This book is a literary account of his journey to several countries (southern Spain and Provence) with a physician named Joseph (nicknamed "Einan ha-Shed" in the book) who came from afar and joined Ibn Zabara on the journey. As it is usual in the genre, some secular poems are included before and within the prose sections. In this work, Ibn Zabara reveals a considerable knowledge of Arabic literature More than any other work of this type, Sefer Sha'ashu'im shows Greek, Indian, and Arabic influence. Apart from its literary value, this book contains valuable information on medicine and hygiene, natural science, psychology, and physiognomy. The book includes the earliest example of questions and answers on scientific topics in Hebrew rhymed prose. Despite its contents and style value, however, it never had a great influence on Hebrew literature. Ibn Zabara dedicated it to the nasi, Sheshet *Benveniste , physician and adviser to the court of Alfonso II of Aragon, who died in 1209. The book was first printed in Constantinople (1577) by R. Isaac Akrish, together with other works. In 1865 it was published serially in *Ha-Levanon . A scientific edition was prepared by I. Davidson (first with an introduction in English, 1914, and then with a Hebrew translation of the introduction, 1925). In modern times, the book was translated into English twice (The Book of Delight, by I. Abrahams, 1912, repr. 1980; by M. Hadas, 1932, 1960, with introd. by M. Sherwood); F. Brewer published a selection of it (1975);