Shailoth Leha’chacham [responsum based on a series of twelve philosophical questions addressed to him by Saul Ha’kohen Aschkenazi]

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC

Giovanni di Gara

Venice

1574

FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural border

Vinograd, Venice 602; Habermann, di Gara 34; Adams S-451

Saul Ha’kohen Aschkenazi was an author of philosophical works and a disciple of the Aristotelian thinker, Elijah Delmedigo. His philosophical queries were addressed to Isaac Abrabanel with a view to ascertaining a Maimonidean position. Abrabanel’s answers constitute his sharpest and weightiest attack upon the Averroist renderings of Maimonides. Indeed, it is in this work that Abrabanel finally relieved himself from the arduous internal struggle he had contended with Maimonidean thought, evidenced by his clear analysis of the points of difference and agreement between him and Maimonides. “It is not unlikely that after completeing this book, Abrabanel returned to systematic work on his great commentary on Maimonides’ Guide to the Perplexed.” See B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel, Statesman & Philosopher (1968) pp. 86-7. Abrabanel’s writings to Saul Ha’Kohen also contain important autobiographical comments. He complains of physical weakness and of his despair of Redemption following the Expulsion from Spain. In a deeply personal note of self-evaluation, he writes on f.8: “I frittered away my time making money and seeking honor… the wealth was lost and honor has been taken away from Israel.”