Isaac’s Fear: An Early Modern Encyclopedia of Judaism

In This Work Of Meticulous Scholarship, David Malkiel Has Produced A Detailed Portrait Of The Paradoxical Relationship Between Science And Religion In Early Modern Italy. The Main Focus Of This Learned Study Is Isaac's Fear, An Encyclopedia Of Jewish Law Written By Isaaclampronti, A Rabbi And University-trained Physician Who Aimed To Lead Readers Though The Bewildering Maze Of Ritual Traditions In An Enlightened Age. Malkiel Demonstrates Painstakingly How Lampronti's Searching Mind, Thirst For Knowledge, And Empiricist Leanings Were In Tension With His Profound Reverence For Received Tradition, Which He Upheld As A Repository Of Truths That Eluded Scientific Investigation. The Strength Of This Fine Book Is Its Sensitive Portrayal Of Lampronti's Struggle To Meet The Demands Of Competing Intellectual Traditions--a Struggle He Shared With His Christian Counterparts. --jay R. Berkovitz, Distinguished Professor Emeritus Of Judaic And Near Eastern Studies, University Of Massachusetts Amherst; Professor, Rothberg International School, The Hebrew University Of Jerusalem