Abstract
Efodi (d. 1433) is well
acquainted with three powerful streams of Jewish learning ─ Talmud,
Maimonidean Philosophy and Kabbalah. He argues that each of these
schools has inherent and significant flaws in terms of their authenticity of
tradition, let alone that they promote scholarly elitism. In their place, he boldly
and controversially suggests a democratisation of Jewish scholarship through a return
to the basics of Torah (i.e., biblical) study. Was this radical attempt at reshaping
the Jewish learning curriculum a response to the Christian persecutions in
Spain in 1391, or was it meant only as a remedy for the hour?
Introduction
This article ─ based extensively on the research by Professor Yoel Marciano[1] ─ examines how Perfeyt Duran, known as Efodi, introduced and proposed a change in the traditional study curriculum, ironically by going back to pure grassroots. His approach was anti-elitist and empowered all Jews, particularly non-scholars, to reach perfection without the need to pass through the three options of the rigours of Talmud study, Maimonidean Philosophy, or Kabbalah. He suggested, instead, a return to the simple study of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible).
