Living in turbulent times for the Jewish community in Spain during the early 15th century, Joseph Albo is known mainly for his major philosophical book, Sefer ha'Iqqarim [Book of Principles], presented in full in Collected Works, alongside an original translation of his only other surviving text, a responsum on the halakhic concept of the qatlanit, a woman twice-widowed.
Sefer ha'Iqqarim is a seminal text in Jewish philosophy, offering a deep exploration of the core tenets of Jewish faith. Albo's work addresses theological questions about God's justice, human free will, and the nature of revelation. It provides a systematic approach to understanding the fundamental principles of Judaism in the context of universal divine law, centered around belief in God, the divine origin of the Torah, and the concept of reward and punishment. Unlike Maimonides who emphasized rationalism, Albo, like his teacher, Ḥasdai Crescas, stressed the importance of faith and divine commandments, arguing that the foundation of Jewish belief lies not solely in reason, but in commitment to Torah and mitzvot. Sefer ha'Iqqarim provides clarity on matters of faith that continue to resonate within Jewish thought today, offering an accessible and insightful presentation of Jewish principles, that contributed to the trajectory of Jewish philosophy, especially in the realm of theological debate and the relationship between faith and reason.
