Page:Chapters on Jewish literature (IA chaptersonjewish00abra).pdf/145

Rh For a long time after the death of Maimonides, which took place in 1204, Jewish thought found in the “Guide” a strong attraction or a violent repulsion. Commentaries on the Morch, or “Guide,” multiplied apace. Among the most original of the philosophical successors of Maimonides there were few Jews but were greatly influenced by him. Even the famous author of “The Wars of the Lord,” Ralbag, Levi, the son of Gershon (Gersonides), who was born in 1288, and died in 1344, was more or less at the same stand-point as Maimonides. On the other hand, Chasdai Crescas, in his “Light of God,” written between 1405 and 1410, made a determined attack on Aristotle, and dealt a serious blow at Maimonides. Crescas’ work influenced the thought of Spinoza, who was also a close student of Maimonides, A pupil of Crescas, Joseph Albo (1380-1444) was likewise a critic of Maimonides, Albo’s treatise, “The Book of Principles” (Ikkarim), be-