Auction 54 · Lot 145

Sepher HaKuzari [philosophy].

Estimate: $600–$900
Hammer price: $600

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

HALEVI, JUDAH.

printer

Giovanni di Gara

Place

Venice

Publication

1594

Description

Translated from Arabic to Hebrew by Judah ibn Tibbon. With commentary “Kol Yehudah” by Judah Moscato. Third edition, FIRST EDITION with commentary.

references

Vinograd, Venice 794; Habermann, di Gara 144].

summary

The Kuzari is 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, but rather by an intuition specific to Jews. It is this Divine intuition which may bring one to the highest spiritual level: prophecy. The work has a polemical and apologetic dimension as well, discussing the perceived inadequacies of Christian and Islamic theology, and the superiority of Judaism. See M. Waxman, vol. I, pp. 333-39.

ff. 299. Slight worming on title and first few leaves, previous owers’ signatures and inscriptions on title and flyleaves including N. Ettlinger of Mainz. Later vellum, spine slightly chipped. 4to.

Enquire about this lot