History of the Jews, Vol. 4 (of 6) by Heinrich Graetz is a historical survey of Jewish life and thought from about 1270 to 1618. It covers Kabbalah, expulsions, scholarly controversies, and community life in Europe and beyond. As part of a classic historiographical account, it is worth listening to for a broader understanding of the period.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
HISTORY OF THE JEWS HISTORY OF THE JEWS ВУ HEINRICH GRAETZ VOL. IV FROM THE RISE OF THE KABBALA (1270 C. E.) TO THE PERMANENT SETTLEMENT OF THE MARRANOS IN HOLLAND (1618 C. E.) PHILADELPHIA THE JEWISH PUBLICATION SOCIETY OF AMERICA 5717-1956
CLjǙΏǡƗƄƒǵ, 1894, BΏ ǵƒŧ Jŧ΅ƗǪƒ PǼœƯƗŕĵǵƗLjƿ SLjŕƗŧǵΏ Ljż AƽŧǡƗŕĵ. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher: except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. page CULTIVATION OF THE KABBALA, AND PROSCRIPTION OF SCIENCE. Progress of the Kabbala—Todros Halevi and his Sons— Isaac Allatif and his Kabbalistic Doctrines— Adventurous Career of Abraham Abulafia—He assumes the Character of Messiah—Opposition of Ben Adret— The Prophet of Avila—Joseph Jikatilla and his Kabbalistic Mazes—The Impostor Moses de Leon— Forgeries of the Kabbalists—Origin of the Zohar—Its Doctrines and Influence—Shem-Tob Falaquera—Isaac Albalag—Levi of Villefranche—Samuel Sulami and Meïri—Abba-Mari's Exaggerated Zeal—Jacob ben Machir Profatius and the Controversy regarding the Study of Science—Asheri—The Poet Yedaya Bedaresi 1 1270–1328 C.E.
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