Rosh Amanah [on the principles of faith]

ABRABANEL, DON ISAAC

David & Samuel ibn Nahmias

Constantinople

1505

FIRST EDITION. Initial text page with a poem by the Author’s eldest son, philosopher Judah Abrabanel (Leone Ebreo) enclosed by a metalcut, white-on-black historiated border of animals designed by the Marrano, Alfonso de Cordoba. Extensive manuscript notations throughout written in Latin and Hebrew and in a 16th-century hand.

Vinograd, Const. 9; Mehlman 1189; S.J. Weiss, Pirkei Avot no. 4.

Rosh Amanah [“The Pinnacle of Faith”] is Abrabanel’s most important work on philosophical-theological questions. The work is devoted to the championing of the Maimonidean Thirteen Articles of Faith against the attacks of Chasdai Crescas (Or Hashem) and Joseph Albo (Sepher Ha’Ikarim). The elaborate metal-cut border around the opening pages of this work was the first decorative border to be used in a Hebrew book.