Beth Elo-him [kabbalistic discourses]

HERRERA, ABRAHAM KOHEN (ALFONSO NUNEZ) DE.

Immanuel Benveniste

Amsterdam

1655

FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural columns.

Vinograd, Amsterdam 218; Fuks, Amsterdam 240

Descended from a noble Marrano family: Migolei Yerushalayim Harishon…BeSephard (”From among the first exiles of Jerusalem in Spain), the author (c. 1570 – c. 1635) studied Kabbalah under the guidance of R. Yisrael Sarug, one of the major disciples of Isaac Luria. De Herrera was the first to undertake a systematic philosophical interpretation of kabbalistic thought presenting a reasoned development of such doctrines as Tzimtzum and Kelipah. He originally wrote in Spanish and his works were translated into Hebrew by Rabbi Isaac Aboab da Fonseca, one of the Netherland’s most esteemed rabbinic leaders. De Herrera was held in high esteem by Menasseh ben Israel, indeed he provided an approbation to Menasseh’s Conciliador in 1632.