Humanities > Philosophical apologetics
ROSSI, AZARIAH BEN MOSES DEI (ca. 1511-ca. 1578).
Matsref la-kesef me-ḥibur Meʾor ʻenayim.
Manuscript in Hebrew on paper.
Italy, ca. 16th century.
MS X893 R73
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Azariah ben Moses dei Rossi was a philosopher and scholar during the Italian Renaissance. Although very observant in his personal life, his major work, Me'or Einayim, was considered heretical and was banned in many places due to its questioning of the accepted Hebrew calendar. The opposition to dei Rossi's work was widespread and strong, and so toward the end of his life, he wrote this book as a response to the allegations against his work.
The book is also bound with Tsedek Olamim, which includes answers to thirteen questions about Me'or Einayim posed by Isaac Finzi, one of dei Rossi’s most virulent opponents.