At his palatial abode was gathered all that was best in Spanish Judaism.

He was the patron of the two great grammarians of the day, Menachem, the son of Zaruk, and his rival and critic, Dunash, the son of Labrat.

These grammarians fought out their literary disputes in verses dedicated to Chasdai.

Witty satires were written by the friends of both sides.

Sparkling epigrams were exchanged in the rose-garden of Chasdai's house, and were read at the evening assemblies of poets, merchants, and courtiers.