Azaria di Rossi

One of the most eminent intellectuals of the italisant Judaism, Azaria di Rossi , (C. 1511 - 1588), was a Rabbin and Italian Médecin, and especially the Juif founder of the historical criticism.

It was called Azaria min-Ha' adoumim (“Azaria of the Reds”, with the direction “Azaria which comes from the Reds”), pun on its name, but also allusion to the fact that he lived in Italy, Rome being the spiritual stronghold of Esaü (called in the Tanakh Edom, i.e. Red, because he was russet-red) according to the Midrash.

Using the Jewish sources as well as Greek, Latin or Christian sources, he is the first scholar of Judaism to be considered the philosophy of Philon of Alexandria. Cepdant, its work most known is the Me' gold Einaïm ( Lumière for the eyes in Hebrew), where it exposes a critical method to examine the Aggada, the nonlegalistic part of the Talmud. The first part speaks about the earthquake to Ferrare in 1571. The second part translates into Hebrew the letter of Aristée. It is the third part which deals with Aggada.

Before even its first edition, with Mantoue in 1574, Rossi knew criticisms whose it would be the object: its work contains the answers which it gives to certain rabbis. Before the book did not appear, the rabbis of Venice, carried out by Samuel Juda Katzenellenbogen, published a proclamation of herem towards all those which would be found in possession of the work, or would use it, except authorization express of the rabbis of the city. However, if work were attacked, one did not touch in his author, Azaria di Rossi showing an irreproachable control, as well into private as in public, and agreeing in any point with the Judaism.

In spite of the highly critical spirit impressing Meor Einaïm and the controversy of which it was the object, of the centuries lasting. For some, Rossi adapted after only one famous sentence of Avraham Maïmonide as for the retreat to take with Aggada. The Gaon de Vilna itself studied and commented on the book, although he criticized it in addition. The Maharal of Prague (Juda Löw Ben Betsalel) also criticized it in its Be' er haGola .

The fact is that, if Rossi had known to show critical spirit while remaining faithful to the rabbinical Jewish tradition, and by renewing it with its manner, others would make use of its writings to move away some. In fact, this book even met at the 18th century a great success at the Maskilim , which considered it in conformity with their ideas, adding to it to their prestige by his rabbinical authority. They republished the book in 1794.

External bonds

Book on Azaria di Rossi and its Me' gold Eynaim

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