Isaac Abarbanel's Stance Toward Tradition: Defense, Dissent, and Dialogue

Front matter

Isaac Abarbanel’s Stance Toward Tradition Isaac Abarbanel’s Stance Toward Tradition 鵻 Defense, Dissent, and Dialogue 鵼 Eric Lawee State University of New York Press Publication of this work was made possible by a generous grant from the Koret Foundation. Cover photo: carpet page from the “Lisbon Bible” (Lisbon, 1482). British Library, MS OR. 2628, fol. 185r. Printed by permission of the British Library, London, England. Published by State University of New York Press, Albany 䉷 2001 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207 Production by Judith Block Marketing by Michael Campochiaro Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lawee, Eric. Isaac Abarbanel’s stance toward tradition : defense, dissent, and dialogue / Eric Lawee. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index. ISBN 0-7914-5125-9 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5126-7 (pb : alk. paper) 1. Abravanel, Isaac, 1437–1508—Teachings. 2. Bible. O.T.—Criticism, interpretation, etc., Jewish. 3. Judaism—Doctrines. 4. Rabbinical literature— History and criticism. 5. Tradition (Judaism) I. Title. BM755 .A25 L29 2001 296⬘ .092—dc21 00-054798 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To my parents with love ...