As a young scholar, he conducted a number of debates and held dialogues with the Bishop of Linda and some of his colleagues (Bohemia) which was unusual for its time in that they were held in an atmosphere of tolerance. This outstanding Jewish scholar, in addition to his extensive knowledge of philosophy, knew Latin, studied the New Testament, and was a skilled polemicist. Not all of his debates were held in such an atmosphere. In 1399, he was called on to debate a charge of heresy, and despite his efforts 77 Jews were killed.