Miphaloth Elo-him [“The Deeds of God” on the question of creation ex nihilo, miracles and prophecy]

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC.

Giovanni di Gara

Venice

1592

FIRST EDITION.

Vinograd, Venice 771; Habermann, di Gara 137; Adams A-52

According to Abrabanel, prophecy is directly influenced by God, who illuminates the mind of the recipient without any preliminary preparation of intellect or strength of imagination necessary. The only prerequisite for the prophet according to Abrabanel, is piety and purity of moral conduct. Similarly Abrabanel is dissatisfied with the Rationalist theory of the miraculous, standing opposed to any attempt to minimize such phenomena. Contending with his ongoing struggle to make sense of the devastation brought by the Expulsion from Spain, he seeks to present the actuality of a knowable, Divine Redemption.