Joseph ben Hayyim Jabez

Who is Joseph ben Hayyim Jabez?

Joseph ben Hayyim Jabez was a Spanish-Jewish theologian. He lived for a time in Portugal, where he associated with Joseph Hayyun, who inspired him with that taste for mysticism which he subsequently displayed in his writings. When the Jews were banished from Spain Jabez settled at Mantua, Italy. There he met his compatriot, the kabbalist Judah Hayyat, whom he induced to write the commentary Minḥat Yehudah on the cabalistic work Ma'areket Elahut.

Jabez was an opponent of philosophy. For him the truth of the Jewish religion is demonstrated by the miracles recorded in the Bible. He criticizes the thirteen articles of faith of Maimonides, the six of Hasdai Crescas, and the three of Albo. According to him, only the following three, alluded to in the verse "I am that I am", are the fundamental principles of Judaism:

That God is one

That He governs the world

That in the end all mankind will believe in His unity

These dogmas are expounded by him in the following books:

Ḥasde Adonai, an ethical work wherein the author demonstrates that the wise man is more grateful to God for his misfortunes than for worldly advantages