Abba Mari Ben Moses, Of Lunel, B. Ca. 1250.

About the Author

Abba Mari Ben Moses of Lunel, born around 1250 in the vibrant intellectual hub of southern France, was a distinguished Jewish scholar and rabbinic authority whose life bridged the medieval traditions of Provence and the evolving challenges of his era. Renowned for his fervent defense of rabbinic Judaism against the encroaching influences of philosophy, particularly as articulated by Maimonides, Abba Mari authored the influential Minhat Kenaot, a collection of epistles addressed to the Rashba (Solomon ibn Adret) in Barcelona, seeking to curb the study of secular sciences among the youth. This work, encompassing letters, responses, queries, and the integrated Sefer Ha-Yareah, reflects his deep commitment to preserving Torah purity amid philosophical debates. Exiled to Spain due to communal upheavals, Abba Mari's writings continue to illuminate the tensions between faith and reason in Jewish thought, offering timeless insights into religious scholarship and ethical discourse.