RT Article
T1 Ḥasdai Crescas on the philosophic foundation of codification
JF AJS review
VO 37
IS 2
SP 315
OP 331
A1 Aḳerman, Ari 1964-
LA English
PB University of Pennsylvania Press
YR 2013
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1650680945
AB Ḥasdai Crescas briefly adumbrated his halakhic methodology in the introduction to his philosophic work, 'Or ha-Shem. He followed Maimonides by arguing for the importance of a comprehensive and succinct legal code and opposed himself to those who ascribe independent value to Torah study. However, Crescas disputed Maimonides on the proper goals and character of a legal code. Unlike Maimonides, he designated his code for Torah scholars and focused on the bedrock principles that are the bases for particular laws. According to Crescas, these principles allow the codifier to capture the infinite and boundless halakhah in a finite and accessible form. They also serve as exegetical rules that allow the Torah scholar to create new laws. In this regard, the halakhic enterprise resembles the process of creation and the scholar resembles God.
DO 10.1017/S0364009413000287