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The Principle of Simple Production: Abraham Miguel Cardozo’s philosophy, theology, and politics

Tue, December 18, 2:30 to 4:00pm, Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Cambridge 2

Abstract

In this paper I will show how Abraham Miguel Cardozo (1626 – 1706), a major Sabbatian theologian uses a philosophical principle (FROM A SIMPLE THING NECESSARILY FOLLOWS A SIMPLE THING, I will refer to it as a PRINCIPLE OF SIMPLE PRODUCTION) to conceal a forgery, to develop and refine his theological ideas, and to fight his political enemies.
In his work, called THE SECRET OF SECRETS (RAZA DE-RAZIN), Cardozo employs this principle to elaborate once again his main question: what is the exact relation between the God of Philosophers and God of Israel? Several years earlier, Cardozo composed THE SECRET OF FAITH (RAZA DE-MEHEMANUTA), however, he succeeded in disseminating that work under the name of Sabbetai Sevi (1626 – 1676). Cardozo uses the principle of simple production to create “a theological alibi” for himself: he maintains that since THE SECRET OF FAITH does not use this principle, he could not write it. He deploys such tactics of theological obfuscation against his bitter enemies and especially with Sevi’s secretary Shmuel Primo (ca. 1638 – 1708) with whom he fought over the legacy of his messiah — Sabbetai Sevi.
My aim is threefold: first, I will explicate Cardozo’s theology as it is found in these two works and the most important differences between them. Then I will put his theology in the context of medieval philosophy and early modern Jewish thought. Finally, I will analyze his political and theological motives that urged him to write THE SECRET OF SECRETS: I will show that although he had his polemics with Shmuel Primo, THE SECRET OF SECRETS (which must be considered as one of the latest Cardozo’s works) is a new iteration of his theology.

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