Don Isaac Abarbanel, often referred to simply as Abarbanel, was a Bible commentator, philosopher, apologist, financier and statesman. Born in Portugal, he displayed a great mastery of both Jewish and secular learning from his youth. His precocious abilities in financial matters attracted the attention of King Alfonso V of Portugal, who appointed him royal treasurer. He used his great wealth and position to help free Jews sold into slavery in Morocco. When Alfonso died in 1483 and Abarbanel was falsely accused of conspiring against the king, he fled for his life to Toledo in Castille, leaving behind a large fortune which had been confiscated. There he devoted himself to composing his famous Biblical commentary. He also answered the call of Queen Isabella and contracted as supplier of the royal army and tax farmer, lending significant sums to help fund the Moorish war. When the Edict of Expulsion was issued, he strove mightily to have it rescinded, offering a fortune to the crown to no avail. He left with his brethren and settled in Naples. When that city was overtaken by the French, he again was forced to leave without his possessions, following his patron to Sicily, Corfu, and finally, to Venice. His apologetic works argued for the Jewish idea of the Mashiach, his exegetical works were unique in that they took social and political issues into consideration, and in his philosophical works he severely criticizes many of his Jewish philosophical predecessors.
Works on Sefaria
Top Citations
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Abarbanel on Tanakh
Ateret Zekeinim
Mashmia Yeshuah
Nachalat Avot on Avot
Zevach Pesach on Pesach Haggadah
Abarbanel on Guide for the Perplexed
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