Isaac Abravanel

This chapter takes a look at Rabbi Isaac Abravanel (1437–1508). He was the last medieval Jewish thinker systematically and extensively to deal with the question of the principles of Judaism. Indeed, he devoted an entire book to the subject, the Rosh Amanah. This book is ostensibly devoted to defending Maimonides’ thirteen principles in the face of the criticisms levelled against them by Crescas and Albo. But, paradoxically, and despite its avowed aim, the Rosh Amanah is best known for Abravanel's claim that Judaism has no principles of faith at all. The chapter thus considers whether or not Abravanel truly rejects the claim that Judaism has principles of faith.