Abraham Bar Hiyya on Time, History, Exile and Redemption

Download or read book Abraham Bar Hiyya on Time, History, Exile and Redemption written by Hannu Töyrylä and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2014-07-03 with total page 550 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An analysis of Megillat ha-Megalleh by Abraham Bar Hiyya (12th c.) as a complete text in its historical and cultural context, showing that the work - written at a time when Jews increasingly came under Christian influence and dominance – presents a coherent argument for the continuing validity of the Jewish hope for redemption. In his argument, Bar Hiyya presents a view of history, the course of which was planted by God in creation, which runs inevitably towards the future redemption of the Jews. Bar Hiyya uses philosophical, scientific, biblical and astrological material to support his argument, and several times makes use of originally Christian ideas, which he inverts to suit his argument.