Bidspirit auction | Kevod Elokim – A Philosophical

Kevod Elokim – A Philosophical Work by Rabbi Yosef ibn Shem Tov. First edition. Ferrara, 1555. * A philosophical work by the sage and philosopher Rabbi Yosef ibn Shem Tov, son of the chassid Rabbi Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov, author of the sefer HaEmunos. A rare sefer. Rabbi Yosef ibn Shem Tov was one of the greatest sages of Spain in the fifteenth century, a philosopher and outstanding darshan. Rabbi Meir ibn Gabbai, author of Avodas HaKodesh, writes that he was thoroughly versed and exceptionally sharp in philosophical matters (Avodas HaKodesh, chapter 15). He was born to his father, the gaon Rabbi Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov (the first), author of Sefer HaEmunos. Yet, unlike his father, who opposed philosophy, Rabbi Yosef was a committed philosopher and made great efforts to reconcile the Rambam's approach, whom he refers to as “Rabbeinu Moshe.” His son was Rabbi Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov (the second), one of the foremost commentators on the Rambam’s Moreh Nevuchim. Rabbi Yosef ibn Shem Tov was the teacher of philosophy to the accomplished sage Don Yitzchak Abarbanel. The Abarbanel writes in his commentary on the Torah: “The divine sage Rabbi Yosef Shem Tov, of blessed memory, has already explained matters that I heard in my youth, much wisdom from his mouth, in many of his discourses…” (Sefer Shemos, chapter 25). It is noteworthy that in the present work, Rabbi Yosef cites his father's words from the sefer Emunos and strives to reconcile his approach with great respect. The sefer Emunos was also printed in Ferrara that same year by the same printer. Ferrara, 1555. First edition . Page Count: [32] leaves. Size : 18.8 cm. Condition : Good, with a few stains. New binding. Includes the final leaf, printed only on its second side, bearing the printer’s emblem of Abraham Usque (which also appears on the title page): a large astrolabe, with a ship’s anchor at its base, accompanied by the inscription, “Kivisi Hashem kivsa nafshi ulidvaro hochalti” – “I hoped to Hashem, my soul hoped, and for His word I waited.” See: Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim no. 22 and pp. 133–134.