20:45:33


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Bidding Information
Lot #    5723
Auction End Date    10/8/2003 11:40:00 AM (mm/dd/yyyy)
          
Title Information
Title (English)    Shevilei Emunah
Title (Hebrew)    שבילי אמונה
Author    R. Meir b. Isaac Aldabi
City    Amsterdam
Publisher    Solomon Proophs
Publication Date    1708
          
Collection Information
Independent Item    This listing is an independent item not part of any collection
          
Description Information
Physical
Description
   [4], 132 ff., 16 mo., 135:85 mm., usual light age staining, sharp crusp edges. A very good copy bound in modern cloth boards.
          
Detailed
Description
   Philosophical exposition of the principles of Judaism. Shevilei Emunah is an ethical work designed to strengthen belief, and defend against the skepticism of philosophy, in an age when “people are lost in darkness.” The book is divided into ten primary netivot (paths, chapters), namely, 1) faith in the Creator, His unity and incorporeality, and a discussion of His names, with kabbalistic examples; 2) the creation of the world, the spheres, climates, and the immutability of God; 3) the forming of man and his partner (Eve), and procreation; 4) human embryology, anatomy and pathology; 5) conduct leading to longevity; 6) the nature of the soul; 7) elevation of the soul through the observance of the Torah and its commandments; 8) belief in the Oral Law and its unbroken transmission from Moses; 9) reward and punishment; and 10) the redemption of Israel and resurrection. There are approbations and an introduction from R. Alabi.

R. Meir ben Isaac Aldabi (aben Aldabi Sefardi, c. 1310-after 1360), was a grandson, on his mother’s side, of R. Asher ben Jehiel (Rosh), whom he frequently references. Aldabi was well educated in the scientific, philosophical, and theological ideas of the time, in addition to having received a thorough rabbinic education, supplemented by a deep interest in Kabbalistic studies. It is believed that Aldabi left Toledo in 1348 for Jerusalem, where he wrote Shevilei Emunah (Paths of Faith), completing it in 1360.

          
Paragraph 2    מעבר לשער הסכמות רבני אמשטרדם: ר' שלמה אאיליון, יא ניסן תס"ו; ר' יהודא ליב ב"ר אפרים אשר אנשיל ז"ל המבורג, העובד עבודת הקהל ק"ק אשכנזי' באמשטרדם בעת ההיא לפי שעה בין מלכא למלכא [בלא תאריך].
          
Reference
Description
   EJ; Vinograd, Amsterdam 868; CD-EPI 0110014
        
Associated Images
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Listing Classification
Period
  
18th Century:    Checked
  
Location
Holland:    Checked
  
Subject
Other:    Philosophy
  
Characteristic
Language:    h
  
Manuscript Type
  
Kind of Judaica