[Kuzari] Liber Cosri [philosophy]. Translated into Hebrew by Judah ibn Tibbon. Introduction, translation and notes in Latin by JOHANNES BUXTORF

HALEVI, JUDAH

GEORG DECKER

Basle

1660

first latin edition. Latin introduction containing two dissertations by Buxtorf, including the exchange of letters of Chasdei b. Yitzchak and Joseph the King of the Chazars. Hebrew and Latin printed in columns

Vinograd, Basle 256; Prijs, Basle 266

Celebrated philosophical exposition of the teachings of Judaism, prompted by questions supposedly posed by the King of the Chazars The Kuzari is one of just a very few book of Jewish philosophy written in the form of a Socratic dialogue. 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, and primarily discusses the inadequacies of Christian and Islamic theology and the superiority of Judaism. See: M. Waxman, vol. I pp.333-39. The addendum to this edition (pp. 389-455) contains excerpts of essays from the works of Don Isaac Abrabanel, Azariah de Rossi, Samuel Archivolti, Samuel ibn Tibon, and Abraham Portleone