The More Select and Obscure Dogmas of the Kabbalists

For as far as the literal sense is concerned, it must be sought most especially from the Hebrews, since they, being dedicated to this task, have observed it with great care. And for this reason, Nicholas of Lyra A 14th-century Franciscan whose Bible commentaries were famous for emphasizing the literal sense and utilizing Jewish sources. almost always followed Rabbi Solomon original: "Rabbi Salomonem." This refers to Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki), the most influential medieval Jewish commentator..

For just as eyes accustomed to the clearest light see less precisely (as Plato says) when injured in darkness, so the eyes of our theologians, having dwelt in the spiritual light of the mystical sense, sometimes perceive dark difficulties less clearly than those who are accustomed to the darkness. The author uses a paradox here: Christian theologians are "blinded" by the bright light of the Gospel, while Jewish scholars, whom he considers to be in "darkness" regarding Christ, have sharper eyes for the gritty, literal details of the Old Testament. For although we have sought this from the Hebrews so that we might prove the mysteries of our faith through them and oppose them when they disagree with us, we will nevertheless note in our own sections many things worthy of knowledge—as if reclaiming them from unjust possessors—sharing them with true Israelites A common early modern term for Christians who believed they were the spiritual heirs of the biblical Israelites., so that they [the Jews] may not boast of having any good thing that the Church does not possess.

Jerome St. Jerome, the 4th-century translator of the Vulgate Bible. would have done all these things (as Pico della Mirandola The famous Renaissance philosopher who integrated Kabbalah into Christian thought. believes) in his introduction to the Psalms, had he not been so occupied with translating that he had no leisure to interpret the Law of Moses. Others did not touch upon Hebrew literature at all.

The allegorical sense original: "Allegoricus sensus." A method of interpretation where people or events in the Bible are seen as symbols of deeper spiritual truths. (as we have written elsewhere) relates to the literal sense just as matter relates to form; it is, in a way, a species of it that belongs properly and uniquely to the Sacred Scriptures—namely, that the things being discussed also signify something else. And just as "form" is not seen by us directly, but rather as matter clothed in "accidents" In the philosophy of the time, "accidents" are the outward qualities of a thing (like color or shape), while "form" is its inner essence.—through the consideration of which we are granted the ability to contemplate forms—so too are we carried forward to the allegorical sense (which we do not behold with eyes of flesh) by the help of the literal sense.

Therefore, allegory is established as the goal of understanding; for which reason it is not appropriate to seek it in everything. For not all things are the "end" or goal of all things; rather, many things have arisen and been established both for the sake of the goal and out of necessity. The beginning of this true and heavenly wisdom is defined as the "fear of the Lord" A reference to Psalm 111:10.. For this gift of God is not sent down into a malevolent soul, nor is that heavenly treasure [poured into] an earthen vessel...