Sefer HaEmunot, on beliefs and opposition to philosophy, by R. Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov. Ferrara: Avraham ibn Usque, 1556. Only edition.
Title page dated Tamuz 1556. Colophon at end of book dated Tishrei 1556.
Sefer HaEmunot is a polemical work against philosophy and in support of Kabbalah. The author, R. Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov, a Torah scholar in pre-expulsion Spain, directs most of his sharp criticism at the Rambam. The sons and grandson of the elder R. Shem Tov were supporters of the Rambam and philosophy and were even leading commentators of his Moreh Nevuchim (his grandson, R. Shem Tov II, is the author of the famous Shem Tov commentary). A contemporary attests that when they were expelled to Portugal, the sons of R. Shem Tov disposed of all of their father's writings in the Lisbon synagogue, "because they were ashamed of how their father spoke against the Rambam, and in his honor they buried it" (see: Meir Benayahu, Makor Al Megorshei Sefarad BePortugal, Sefunot XI, pp. 236-244). Sefer HaEmunot was rescued from burning by Christians in Portugal, along with other important manuscripts, and was later circulated in many copies, one of which reached R. Moshe (Maharam) Alashkar, who vehemently objected to the derision of the Rambam. In response, he wrote a sharp critique of the book, accusing the author of forgery and malicious intent. Maharam Alashkar's critique was first printed in his responsa (section 117), Sabbioneta 1554. When Sefer HaEmunot was first published in the present edition, the publisher Baruch Uziel Chazaketti felt it his duty to print together with it the objections of R. Moshe Alashkar (and the two books are in fact often bound together).
The two last leaves contain a fragment from the Zohar (printed prior to the first editions of the Zohar, Mantua and Cremona, 1558-1560).
On the title page and last leaf of book appears the printer's mark of R. Avraham ibn Usque, with an astrolabe in the center projecting an anchor, captioned with two Biblical verses and the initials "A.U." (see: Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, Jerusalem 1944, illustration 22 and pp. 133-134).
Glosses in early Ashkenazic script on first leaves (most containing short summaries of topics).
Censorship expurgations.
On last leaf, signature of censor Giovanni Domenico Carretto, dated 1616.
116 leaves. Approx. 20 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition, first leaves in fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear to first leaves (affecting illustrated title frame). Tears and open tears, affecting text on several leaves, partially repaired with paper. New binding.
CB, no. 7126,1; Zedner, p. 697; Roest, p. 1045.
