On the Art of the Kabbalah

...I submit and subject my assertions, both in these and in all other matters. Galatino is making a standard formal submission of his work to the judgment of the Church.

HOGOSTRATUS, Jacob van Hoogstraaten (c. 1460–1527), a Dominican Inquisitor who was a fierce opponent of Reuchlin in the "Battle of the Books" regarding the Talmud. Because I see you are about to say marvelous and unheard-of things to reveal the Truth, I would wish—so that we might more quickly and easily obtain that Truth which we seek so greatly (with you as our guide)—that you would satisfy my inquiry if any doubt should enter my mind, provided it is not a burden to you.

GALATINO, That will indeed be very pleasant to me, and not in the least bit unwelcome. For that reason, I would first of all ask this of both you—who are so powerful in your skill in both Divine and human Philosophy Referring to Scholastic theology and Aristotelian dialectics.—and of Capnio himself, who is not only exceptionally endowed with every kind of literature, but is also the most eloquent interpreter of the three languages Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; the hallmark of a Renaissance "Trilingual" scholar. through which the Divine secrets are opened: That whatever doubts may occur, let them by no means pass by undiscussed; rather, let them be brought forward to be examined by us in turn. For I also, according to the capacity of my own small talent, do not think I should remain silent about whatever my opinion may be regarding those same doubts.

But because it is very difficult, and almost impossible, for a weak man such as I know myself to be to walk confidently along that path where even some of the strongest have been known to stumble—for I confess that I must necessarily undertake many things far beyond my strength and much greater than myself to track down Truth of this kind—I have therefore decided that I must first implore Divine aid. Thus, while prayer itself to God shall be my staff, and His word a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths A reference to Psalm 119:105., I may walk secure and safe among the ranks of enemies. By defeating them with their own weapons, I may be able to take away from them—as if from unjust possessors—the truth which they have in their possession but do not know, which they neglect, and which they attack.

At last, once the truth itself is found in the Talmudic Books, it may be established clearer than light what ought to be rightly thought concerning the Talmud The central text of Rabbinic Judaism, which was the subject of intense controversy and censorship during this period. itself, about which there is a war between you. So that this may be done more rightly and better, it will be necessary for our entire discourse to revolve around twelve principal themes. Concerning these, twelve specific

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