Koheleth Ya’akov Toldoth Adam [commentary to the Book of Ecclesiastes, with text]

Baruch ben Moses ibn Baruch

Daniel Zanetti

Venice

1598

FIRST EDITION. Title within ornamental woodcut border. Printer’s device on title

Vinograd, Venice 857; Adams B-1550

A member of an old noble Spanish family, Baruch ibn Baruch as member of the Venetian Rabbinate. This important commentary to Ecclesiastes consists of two parallel sections: rabbinic-exegetic and a philosophical-discursive commentary. To give ground to his philosophical speculations, Baruch views the Book of Ecclesiastes as a dialogue, in which King Solomon has grouped Epicurean views side by side with the views of the pious. “Ecclesiastes” (Koheleth), represents the views of the former and “Ben David” the views of the latter. The logical method of carrying out the assumption that Ecclesiastes is a dialogue is remarkable, with each verse seamlessly fitting into a general system. According to Baruch, the following philosophical themes are treated in Ecclesiastes: the Creation and the reasons for creating Man; the immortality and perfection of the soul, free will and Divine Providence. Baruch’s work is regarded as the last produced by medieval religious philosophy.