Sepher Hakuzari [phiosophy] With commentary “Kol Yehudah” by Judah Moscato.

HALEVI, JUDAH

Giovanni di Gara

Venice

1594

Third edition, FIRST EDITION with commentary. Title within garlanded architectural arch.

Vinograd, Venice 794; Habermann- di Gara 144; Adams J-401

The Kuzari, is practically the only book of Jewish philosophy writen in the form of a Socratic dialogue. In this work, Halevi develops a philosophy of history in an attempt to show the insufficiency of theological conclusions arrived at by rationalistic means. His underlying principle is that God cannot be found or conceived by reason, God is to be conceived by intuition. It is this intuition (“Inyan Eloki”) which may bring one to the highest spiritual levels. The work has a polemical and apologetic dimension as well, discussing the perceived inadequacies of Christian and Islamic theology and the superiority of Judaism. See: M. Waxman, vol. I pp.333-39. In this past century, the study of the Kuzari was encouraged by Rabbis Kook and Sarna (of Hebron) stressing its experiential approch as opposed to the rationalism of the other great Jewish philosopher, Maimonides. For a recently published detailed analysis contrasting Halevi and Maimonides’ attitudes to the problems of Jewish philosophy see D. Hartman, Israelis and the Jewish Tradition (2000)