Foundation of Jewish Philosophy
Kuzari with Kol Yehudah Commentary
First Edition. Venice, 1594
Sefer Hakuzari is among the most significant works of Jewish thought and possibly the most well-known. It presents fundamental principles in emuna. The book is written in the form of a debate between the king of Khazar and a Jew regarding the superiority of the Jewish faith and religion. Its teachings are profound, and the commentary Kol Yehudah by Rabbi Yehuda Moscato, a Rav in Mantua, stands out as one of its greatest commentaries.
The Kol Yehudah commentary printed here is the first commentary on this classic work!
Rabbi Avraham Zechut wrote in his historical journal ‘Sefer Yuchisin’: “In the [Hebrew] year 4500, the king of Khazar, on his quest for searching the truth, held a debate among three scholars – a Christian, a Moslem and a Jew. At its conclusion, the king and his ministers and servants converted to Judaism. The debate was recorded in the Sefer Hakuzari which was authored by Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi and it is a fundamental book on topics of faith.”
Torah sages throughout the generations have extolled this work, stating the verse such as, “Guard yourself that you should not abandon the Levite” (a reference to Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi). The Vilna Gaon likewise advised his followers to learn this sefer (Hanhagos Kesser Rosh).
Throughout the sefer are brief glosses in an early handwritten script.
Venice, 1594. First edition of Kol Yehudah commentary.
Page count: 297 leaves.
Condition: Good; several stains.
Bibliography: Stefansky Sifrei Yesod #495, in notes
Provenance: Library of tycoon Adolf Levinson of New York (d. 1938), renowned for his exceptional collection of ancient and exquisitely beautiful books.
The sefer is bound in an elegant leather binding, adorned with beautiful engravings crafted especially for it in the early decades of the 20th century (slightly worn). Affixed to the inner side of the binding is the original bookplate of his library.
