One of the Most Significant Sifrei HaYesod: 'Sefer HaKuzari' by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi. Venice, 1547. A Most ...

One of the Most Significant Sifrei HaYesod: 'Sefer HaKuzari' by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi. Venice, 1547. A Most Outstanding Copy.

Rabbi Yehuda Halevi’s 'Sefer HaKuzari' is one of the most prominent fundamental works on Jewish thought of his generation, and certainly the most famous one.

The Book of Kuzari, was originally called: 'The Book of Refutations and Proofs of the Despised Religion'. Authored in 1139 in Judeo-Arabic, it is Rabbi Yehuda Halevi’s philosophical composition. The book is written in the form of a conversation between the King of the Khazars and a Jewish sage, regarding the fundamentals of Judaism. The story of the voluntary conversion of the Khazars a few generations earlier, is used by the author as the historical background.

The book was originally written in Arabic. Shortly after its writing, it was translated into Hebrew by the ‘father of translators’ - Rabbi Yehuda Ibn Tibbon. This translation was studied for hundreds of years and is still in use today.

The book was widespread among many philosophers, as well as within the framework of traditional Jewish learning. In a letter sent to the Rambam by Rabbi Yonatan of Lunel and the sages of his city, he requests the book “Moreh Nevuchim” be sent to him. Rabbi Yonatan goes on to list the books his townspeople were studying, and The Kuzari appears in this list, alongside the classics of “Chovot Halevavot” and "HaEmunot VeHade’ot".

"Rabbi Yehuda Halevi surpasses himself on wise matters, hymns and wonderful poetry. We have received another one of his books; Sefer haKhuzari. In this, he surpasses himself in investigating and clarifying with all his might, the paradoxes of the Torah and its prophecies. He resolves more that more than anyone before him, religious and rational debates." (Rabbi Yedayah Habadrashi).

Rabbi Avraham Zechut comments on the Kuzari in his Sefer Yochsin: "In the year 4000 the King of Khazar held a debate with three scholars; one Christian, one Ishmaelite, and one Jewish. As a result of this debate, the King and all his ministers and servants converted. He created a distinguished book like none other, called the Kuzari book, that deals with matters of faith, authored by Rabbi Yehuda Halevi".

Our Jewish sages highly recommended the book and wrote: "Guard yourself not to abandon the Levite" ('Maor Einim' of Rabbi A. Min-HaEdomim). Even the Gra recommended studying the book (Customs of ‘Keter Rosh’).

Venice, 1547

50 pages. Excellent condition.

Otzar Hasefer Computerized Database, No. 41558.

This copy is in fantastic condition. Light pages with wide margins, bound in antique half-leather, 19th century binding.

The Kuzari is regarded as one of the pillars of Jewish philosophy in particular, and Jewish thought in general.