Sepher Ha’ikrim [philosophy]

ALBO, JOSEPH

Kalonymus ben Mordechai Yaffe

Lublin

1597

Title within architectural border

Vinograd, Lublin 66; St. Cat. Bodl. 5882, 6 (ed. quoque haec rara); Adams J-336

Rare Lublin edition Albo’s philosophical expose proceeds from the view that every religion is founded upon 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 to human perfection according to Albo, lies in striving to become similar to the supreme symbol of perfection, i.e. God. This can be achieved 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