Shailoth LeheChacham Shaul HaKohen [Responsum based on a series of twelve philosophical questions addressed to the Author by Saul Hakohen Aschkenazi]

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC

Giovanni di Gara

Venice

1574

FIRST EDITION. Title within wreathed architectural border.

Vinograd, Venice 602.

Saul Hakohen Aschkenazi was an author of philosophical works and a disciple of the Aristotelian thinker, Elijah Delmedigo. His philosophical queries were addressed to Isaac Abrabanel with a view to ascertaining a Maimonidean position. Abrabanel’s answers constitute his sharpest and weightiest attack upon the Averroist renderings of Maimonides. Indeed, it is in this work that Abrabanel finally relieved himself from the arduous internal struggle he had contended with Maimonidean thought, evidenced by his clear analysis of the points of difference and agreement between him and Maimonides. “It is not unlikely that after completing this book, Abravanel returned to systematic work on his great commentary on the Guide.” B. Netanyahu, Don Isaac Abravanel, Statesman & Philosopher (1968), pp. 86-7.