Sepher Ikarim [philosophy]

ALBO, JOSEPH

Daniel Bomberg

Venice

1521

Letters of first word white against black floriated background. On final page, Hebrew signatures of former owners.

Vinograd, Venice 52; Haberman, Bomberg 68; Mehlman 1190; not in Adams

BOMBERG EDITION OF ALBO'S CLASSIC OF JEWISH THEOLOGY. The Sepher Ikrim presented religious-philosophical problems in a clear form that made them broadly accessible and comprehensible. Albo’s philosophical expose proceeds from the view that every religion is founded on three basic principles: the existence of God, Revelation and reward and punishment. The true Faith, according to Albo, is one that recognizes not only the roots of these three fundamental principles, but also their logical consequences. Thus the goal of man lies in perfecting himself, and the way of human perfection according to Albo, lies in striving to become similar to the supreme symbol of perfection, i.e. God. This can be achieved by doing good through the loving fulfillment of His will, by way of observance of the commandments. Albo also discusse the terrors of the catastrophe that befell Spanish Jewry. He interprets suffering as “chastisements of love” imposed as a trial seeking to strengthen the bond between God and Israel.