The Book of Faith
Sefer HaEmunos
First Edition
Ferrara, 1556
Sefer HaEmunos
Rabbi Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov’s foundational sefer on emunah. In this landmark sefer, Rabbi Shem Tov states that authentic faith must rely on what Jews refer to as “pure faith” – “emunah peshuta”, and condemns those who base their beliefs on philosophical discussion and empirical evidence. In his preface, he warns that many Jews who based their principles of faith on philosophy and evidence ultimately abandoned their faith and became heretics or apostates.
The Shl”a Hakadosh writes, “The chassid Rabbi Shem Tov in his preface to his Sefer Ha’emunos was resentful of the philosophers in our nation, and he scorned them, and in his conclusion expressed, ‘When I delved into their words, a fire ignited inside me, for a malignant disease has sprouted among Bnei Yisrael, and I saw that throughout all these generations, they denied and switched [their faith] in their investigations” (Shl”a, Maseches Shavuos Ch. Ner Mitzvah #59).
Rabbi Shem Tov ibn Rabbi Shem Tov (d. 1430) was a 15th century Rosh Yeshivah and kabbalist in Spain, who was one of the foremost opponents to the study of philosophy. His son Rabbi Yosef ben Shem Tov authored the sefer Kavod Elokim (Ferrara, 1557), and his grandson Chacham Rabbi Shem Tov authored the famous commentary on the Rambam’s Moreh Nevuchim (Venice, 1551) and Drashos HaTorah (Salonika, 1525). His commentary on maseches Avos was printed in contemporary times. It is intresting to note that while the grandfather Rabbi Shem Tov was vehemently opposed to the study of philosophy, his own grandson Chacham Shem Tov authored an important commentary on the Rambam’s Moreh Nevuchim! See lot # 63
Comments of Maharam Alashkar
The end of the sefer features a special 16-leaf additiont with a separate title page entitled,
“Hasagos mi’Rabbi Moshe Alashkar” on this work. In his booklet, Maharam Alashkar defends the Rambam’s and refutes the author’s arguments. (excerpted from Shu”t Maharam Alashkar Ch. [Sabbionetta, 1654].
Ferrara, 1556 (Colophon states 1557).
First Edition. Page Count: 117. Page Size: 118 cm.
Condition: Good, with lower margin of title page slightly cropped until border. Minor restorations with no missing text. New leather binding with decorative engravings. Printer’s emblem of Avraham ben Osaki appears on both title pages and at the end of the sefer.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, HOsafos L’Sifrei Mavhsheves Yisrael p. 142.
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