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April 9, 2024

Mysticism Meets Philosophy in Medieval Spain

And the rabbi who tried to convert the pope.

When kabbalistic teachings made their way from southern France into northern and then central Spain, they were introduced to rabbis who were literate in multiple languages and well-versed in philosophy and the work of Moses Maimonides, leading to both competition between, and synthesis of, philosophical and mystical ideas. One of the most remarkable figures of this era was Abraham Abulafia, born in Zaragoza to a distinguished family around 1240. Tamar Marvin writes:

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April 9, 2024

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