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Joseph Ibn Kaspi

April 11, 2024

Joseph ben Abba Meir ben Joseph ben Jacob Ibn Kaspi, also known as Yosef Caspi (1280 Arles—1345 Majorca),[1] was a Provençal exegete, grammarian, and philosopher, apparently influenced by Averroës.

Biography edit

His family hailed from Largentière, from whence his Hebrew surname "Caspi" (made of silver) derived. His Provençal name was Don Bonafous de Largentera, or in French En Bonafoux de L'Argentière. He traveled much, visiting Arles, Tarascon, Aragon, Catalonia, Majorca (where he must have foregathered with Judah Leon ben Moses Mosconi), and Egypt, where, as he says in his Tzava'ah (ethical will), he hoped to be instructed by the members of Maimonides' family. This hope was not realized, as the descendants of Maimonides were more pious than learned. At one time Caspi intended to go to Fez, where many renowned schools existed; but he seems to have abandoned this project and to have settled at Tarascon. He underwent much suffering at the time of the Pastoureaux persecution, and was threatened with punishment if he did not renounce his faith.

He held the position that knowledge of the future, even by the prophets and by God, was probabilistic knowledge only.

Works edit

Caspi was one of the most prolific writers of his time, being the author of 29 works, the greater part of which are still extant in manuscript and the titles of the remainder being known from the list which he had the precaution to make. He began his literary career at the age of seventeen. At thirty he devoted himself to the study of logic and philosophy, which he eagerly cultivated until his death. The following is a list of his writings in their chronological order, some of them being no longer in existence:

  • Perush, commentary on ibn Janah's grammatical work
  • Supercommentaries on Abraham ibn Ezra's commentary on the Pentateuch. (One of these commentaries is purely grammatical, bearing the title "Porashat Kesef" (Sum of Money), and is still extant in manuscript (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, MS. No. 184, and elsewhere)
  • Terumat Kesef (Oblation of Silver), summary of Averroes's commentaries on Aristotle's Ethics and Plato's Republic, according to the Hebrew translation of Samuel of Marseilles (Parma MS. No. 442; Neubauer, "Cat. Bodl. Hebr. MSS." No. 1427)
  • Tzawwa'at Kaspi (Testament of Caspi), or Yoreh De'ah, moral sentences dedicated to the author's son, and published by Eliezer Ashkenazi, Leipzig, 1844
  • Mattot Kesef (Staves of Silver), commentaries on the Bible, with the exception of the Pentateuch
  • Matzref le-Kesef (Crucible for Silver), commentary on the Bible
  • Kefore Kesef (Cups of Silver), giving the author's reasons for the rejection of various explanations of Ibn Ezra and Maimonides
  • Kesef Siggim (Silver Dross), questions and answers on the seeming contradictions in the Bible
  • Tzeror ha-Kesef (Bundle of Silver), or Qitztzur Higgayon, a compendium of logic (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, MS. No. 986)
  • Retuqot Kesef (Chains of Silver), or Pirqe Yosef (Chapters of Joseph), treatise on grammar
  • Shulchan Kesef (Table of Silver), divided into four chapters called "regel" (foot), treating of prophets and miracles ("Cat. Peyron," p. 209)
  • Tirat Kesef (Palace of Silver), or Sefer ha-Sod (Book of Mystery), mystic commentary on the Pentateuch (Vatican MSS. Nos. 36, 46)
  • Adne Kesef (Thresholds of Silver), forming the second part of the preceding work and containing mystical explanations of the Biblical books other than the Pentateuch
  • Mizreqe Kesef (Basins of Silver), explanations of Biblical passages respecting the creation
  • Mazmerot Kesef (Sickles of Silver), commentary on Job (Munich MS. No. 265)
  • Menorat Kesef (Candelabra of Silver), commentary on the Merkabah (Heavenly Chariot) (Neubauer, "Cat. Bodl. Hebr. MSS." No. 1631)
  • Chagorat Kesef (Girdle of Silver), commentary on Ezra and Chronicles (ibid. No. 362)
  • Kappot Kesef (Spoons of Silver), commentary on Ruth and Lamentations (Munich MS. No. 265; Cambridge MS. No. 64)
  • Gelile Kesef (Scrolls of Silver), commentary on Esther (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, MS. No. 1092; Munich MS. No. 2653)
  • Chatzotzerot Kesef (Trumpets of Silver), commentaries on Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs (Neubauer, "Cat. Bodl. Hebr. MSS." Nos. 362, 1349; Parma MS. No. 461)
  • Qa'arot Kesef (Bowls of Silver), in which Caspi endeavored to prove that the Law contains the idea of spiritual happiness and immortality, to explain the Biblical doctrine that God visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, and to explain the relation of wickedness to prosperity
  • 'Ammude Kesef (Pillars of Silver) and Maskiyyot Kesef (Images of Silver), commentaries on Maimonides' Guide of the Perplexed, published by Werbluner, with notes and corrections by R. Kirchheim, Frankfort-on-the-Main, 1848
  • Sharsherot Kesef (Chains of Silver), or Sefer ha-Shorashim (Book of Roots), on Biblical lexicography (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, MS. No. 1244)
  • Kappot Kesef (Spoons of Silver), in which Caspi explains some Biblical problems concerning the history of the Jews
  • Mezamrot Kesef (Songs of Silver; in other lists, Shulchan Kesef), a commentary on the Psalms
  • Tam ha-Kesef (The Silver Is Finished), on the destruction of both temples, Jeremiah's prophecies, and the arrival of the Messiah
  • Qebutzat Kesef (Collection of Silver), containing a list of Caspi's works, published by Isaac ben Jacob Benjacob in the Debarim 'Attiqim, Leipzig, 1844
  • Gebi'a Kesef (Mug of Silver), or Yoreh De'ah (Teacher of Science), supplement to the mystical commentaries on the Bible ("Cat. Peyron." p. 208; Munich MS. No. 265). The initial chapters may have been written as refutation of the apostate Abner of Burgos (Herring 1982). Kaspi finds great theological significance in the number 3 (Chap.V), and he speaks in this work about the origins of the concept of The Trinity found in Christian philosophy, attributing it to an earlier ternary division made among the Separate Intelligences by Aristotelian thinkers (e.g., Abu-Nasr). He also expounds the different philosophical implications of the diverse names of God in the Bible.

Joseph Caspi's name is also to be found attached to many liturgic poems of merit. These, however, may belong to his namesake, Joseph Caspi ben Shalom of the sixteenth century, a liturgic poet of some importance.

Caspi's works were diversely estimated. Ibn Tzartzah, Moses of Narbonne, and Efodi speak in praise of them. The kabbalist Johanan Aleman recommends Caspi's commentaries on account of their mystic character. On the other hand, Isaac Abrabanel and Simon Duran emphatically declare him to be antireligious because, among other things, in his commentary on the Moreh he admitted the eternity of the universe (i. 9, 70; ii. 26).

References edit

  1. ^ Kahan. M. Joseph Kaspi - from Arles to Majorca. Iberia Judaica VIII [2016]. pp. 181-192. At https://www.academia.edu/22766219/Kahan_M_JOSEPH_IBN_KASPI_-FROM_ARLES_TO_MAJORCA_._2016_Iberia_Judaica_VIII._pp._181-192.
  •   This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Richard Gottheil and Isaac Broydé (1901–1906). "Caspi, Joseph ben Abba Mari ben Joseph ben Jacob". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
  • Herring, Basil (1982), Joseph Ibn Kaspi's Gevia' Kesef: A Study in Medieval Jewish Philosophic Bible Commentary, New York: KTAV, ISBN 978-0-87068-716-7
  • Hannah Kasher, Joseph Kaspi, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 6 June 2006.

April 11, 2024
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Joseph ben Abba Meir ben Joseph ben Jacob Ibn Kaspi also known as Yosef Caspi 1280 Arles 1345 Majorca 1 was a Provencal exegete grammarian and philosopher apparently influenced by Averroes Biography editHis family hailed from Largentiere from whence his Hebrew surname Caspi made of silver derived His Provencal name was Don Bonafous de Largentera or in French En Bonafoux de L Argentiere He traveled much visiting Arles Tarascon Aragon Catalonia Majorca where he must have foregathered with Judah Leon ben Moses Mosconi and Egypt where as he says in his Tzava ah ethical will he hoped to be instructed by the members of Maimonides family This hope was not realized as the descendants of Maimonides were more pious than learned At one time Caspi intended to go to Fez where many renowned schools existed but he seems to have abandoned this project and to have settled at Tarascon He underwent much suffering at the time of the Pastoureaux persecution and was threatened with punishment if he did not renounce his faith He held the position that knowledge of the future even by the prophets and by God was probabilistic knowledge only Works editCaspi was one of the most prolific writers of his time being the author of 29 works the greater part of which are still extant in manuscript and the titles of the remainder being known from the list which he had the precaution to make He began his literary career at the age of seventeen At thirty he devoted himself to the study of logic and philosophy which he eagerly cultivated until his death The following is a list of his writings in their chronological order some of them being no longer in existence Perush commentary on ibn Janah s grammatical work Supercommentaries on Abraham ibn Ezra s commentary on the Pentateuch One of these commentaries is purely grammatical bearing the title Porashat Kesef Sum of Money and is still extant in manuscript Bibliotheque Nationale Paris MS No 184 and elsewhere Terumat Kesef Oblation of Silver summary of Averroes s commentaries on Aristotle s Ethics and Plato s Republic according to the Hebrew translation of Samuel of Marseilles Parma MS No 442 Neubauer Cat Bodl Hebr MSS No 1427 Tzawwa at Kaspi Testament of Caspi or Yoreh De ah moral sentences dedicated to the author s son and published by Eliezer Ashkenazi Leipzig 1844 Mattot Kesef Staves of Silver commentaries on the Bible with the exception of the Pentateuch Matzref le Kesef Crucible for Silver commentary on the Bible Kefore Kesef Cups of Silver giving the author s reasons for the rejection of various explanations of Ibn Ezra and Maimonides Kesef Siggim Silver Dross questions and answers on the seeming contradictions in the Bible Tzeror ha Kesef Bundle of Silver or Qitztzur Higgayon a compendium of logic Bibliotheque Nationale Paris MS No 986 Retuqot Kesef Chains of Silver or Pirqe Yosef Chapters of Joseph treatise on grammar Shulchan Kesef Table of Silver divided into four chapters called regel foot treating of prophets and miracles Cat Peyron p 209 Tirat Kesef Palace of Silver or Sefer ha Sod Book of Mystery mystic commentary on the Pentateuch Vatican MSS Nos 36 46 Adne Kesef Thresholds of Silver forming the second part of the preceding work and containing mystical explanations of the Biblical books other than the Pentateuch Mizreqe Kesef Basins of Silver explanations of Biblical passages respecting the creation Mazmerot Kesef Sickles of Silver commentary on Job Munich MS No 265 Menorat Kesef Candelabra of Silver commentary on the Merkabah Heavenly Chariot Neubauer Cat Bodl Hebr MSS No 1631 Chagorat Kesef Girdle of Silver commentary on Ezra and Chronicles ibid No 362 Kappot Kesef Spoons of Silver commentary on Ruth and Lamentations Munich MS No 265 Cambridge MS No 64 Gelile Kesef Scrolls of Silver commentary on Esther Bibliotheque Nationale Paris MS No 1092 Munich MS No 2653 Chatzotzerot Kesef Trumpets of Silver commentaries on Proverbs Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs Neubauer Cat Bodl Hebr MSS Nos 362 1349 Parma MS No 461 Qa arot Kesef Bowls of Silver in which Caspi endeavored to prove that the Law contains the idea of spiritual happiness and immortality to explain the Biblical doctrine that God visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children and to explain the relation of wickedness to prosperity Ammude Kesef Pillars of Silver and Maskiyyot Kesef Images of Silver commentaries on Maimonides Guide of the Perplexed published by Werbluner with notes and corrections by R Kirchheim Frankfort on the Main 1848 Sharsherot Kesef Chains of Silver or Sefer ha Shorashim Book of Roots on Biblical lexicography Bibliotheque Nationale Paris MS No 1244 Kappot Kesef Spoons of Silver in which Caspi explains some Biblical problems concerning the history of the Jews Mezamrot Kesef Songs of Silver in other lists Shulchan Kesef a commentary on the Psalms Tam ha Kesef The Silver Is Finished on the destruction of both temples Jeremiah s prophecies and the arrival of the Messiah Qebutzat Kesef Collection of Silver containing a list of Caspi s works published by Isaac ben Jacob Benjacob in the Debarim Attiqim Leipzig 1844 Gebi a Kesef Mug of Silver or Yoreh De ah Teacher of Science supplement to the mystical commentaries on the Bible Cat Peyron p 208 Munich MS No 265 The initial chapters may have been written as refutation of the apostate Abner of Burgos Herring 1982 Kaspi finds great theological significance in the number 3 Chap V and he speaks in this work about the origins of the concept of The Trinity found in Christian philosophy attributing it to an earlier ternary division made among the Separate Intelligences by Aristotelian thinkers e g Abu Nasr He also expounds the different philosophical implications of the diverse names of God in the Bible Joseph Caspi s name is also to be found attached to many liturgic poems of merit These however may belong to his namesake Joseph Caspi ben Shalom of the sixteenth century a liturgic poet of some importance Caspi s works were diversely estimated Ibn Tzartzah Moses of Narbonne and Efodi speak in praise of them The kabbalist Johanan Aleman recommends Caspi s commentaries on account of their mystic character On the other hand Isaac Abrabanel and Simon Duran emphatically declare him to be antireligious because among other things in his commentary on the Moreh he admitted the eternity of the universe i 9 70 ii 26 References edit Kahan M Joseph Kaspi from Arles to Majorca Iberia Judaica VIII 2016 pp 181 192 At https www academia edu 22766219 Kahan M JOSEPH IBN KASPI FROM ARLES TO MAJORCA 2016 Iberia Judaica VIII pp 181 192 nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Richard Gottheil and Isaac Broyde 1901 1906 Caspi Joseph ben Abba Mari ben Joseph ben Jacob In Singer Isidore et al eds The Jewish Encyclopedia New York Funk amp Wagnalls Herring Basil 1982 Joseph Ibn Kaspi s Gevia Kesef A Study in Medieval Jewish Philosophic Bible Commentary New York KTAV ISBN 978 0 87068 716 7 Hannah Kasher Joseph Kaspi Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 6 June 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joseph Ibn Kaspi amp oldid 1167741029, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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