Tehillah Le’David [philosophy]

LEON, MESSER DAVID BEN JUDAH

Joseph Javetz

Constantinople

1576

FIRST EDITION. With the four rare additional leaves of sermons at end (provided here from another copy).

Vinograd, Const. 269; Yaari, Const. 194; Mehlman 1194.

David Messer Leon (c. 1470-1526) rabbinically ordained aged eighteen, was a devoted Kabbalist, as well as admirer of Maimonides. He boasted a comprehensive knowledge of general culture - particularly philosophy and an affection for poetry and music. Much of his writings remains unpublished. Tehillah Le’David, which was published by the author’s grandson, comprises three parts: The first deals with the prominence of the Law, the second with the elements of faith - which the author regards as superior to speculative reasoning and the third part focuses upon the principles of the Divine Attributes, Providence and Free Will. See I. Zinberg, A History of Jewish Literature, Vol. IV, Italian Jewry in the Renaissance Era, (1974) pp. 91-8 and EJ, Vol. 11, cols. 27-28.