The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1402 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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Luzzatto, Moses
ayyim
(Ram
al)
(1707–47).
Jewish
kabbalist
. Luzzatto lived in Padua and was the leader of a group of Jewish students. In 1727 (and subsequently) he believed he heard the voice of a
maggid
who revealed secret doctrines. He was, however, attacked as a magician and a
Shabbatean
and made to denounce the maggid's revelations. His most important kabbalistic works were the
Kelah Pithei Hokhmah
, an exposition of Lurianic kabbalah, and his
Zohar Tunyana
, written under the influence of the maggid: in this work, he offered rules of conduct which, if observed, would hasten the coming of the
messiah
. His highly influential ethical works include
Mesillat Yesharim
(The Path of the Righteous, 1936) which was studied in the E. European
yeshivot
; and he also wrote poetry and verse dramas.
Luzzatto, Samuel David
,
or Shadal
(1800–65).
Jewish
biblical
scholar. In 1829 Luzzatto was appointed professor at the rabbinical college in Padua where he taught the Bible, philosophy, Jewish history, and philology. He was a traditionalist who was critical of Jewish philosophy,
kabbalistic speculation
, and secular European civilization, while firmly maintaining his belief in tradition,
revelation
, and the
chosenness
of the Jewish people.
LXX
:
M

 

Ms, Five
(polluting acts):
M
(Skt., ‘mother’). Hindu mother goddess; also incorporated in names as a title of respect.

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