Page "Jewish philosophy" Paragraph 68

Isaac ben Sheshet Perfet, of Barcelona, studied under Hasdai Crescas and Rabbi Nissim ben Reuben Gerondi.

Nissim ben Reuben Gerondi, was a steadfast Rationalist who did not hesitate to refute leading authorities, such as Rashi, Rabbeinu Tam, Moses ben Nahman, and Solomon ben Adret.

The pogroms of 1391, against Jews of Spain, forced Isaac to flee to Algiers-where he lived out his life.

Isaac's responsa evidence a profound knowledge of the philosophical writings of his time ; in one of Responsa No. 118 he explains the difference between the opinion of Gersonides and that of Abraham ben David of Posquières on free will, and gives his own views on the subject.

He was an adversary of Kabbalah who never spoke of the Sefirot ; he quotes another philosopher when reproaching kabbalists with " believing in the " Ten " ( Sefirot ) as the Christians believe in the Trinity ".