Critical Notes on the Mishneh Torah: On Rabbinic Authority

Abraham ben David’s critical notes (hasagot) on Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah were composed toward the end of his life, after that work had arrived in Provence. Printed alongside the Mishneh Torah for hundreds of years, Abraham’s comments reflect a deep study and appreciation of Maimonides’ contributions. They often record alternative interpretations, praise for Maimonides, and, famously, note disagreements with him. Here Abraham challenges Maimonides for omitting citations to rabbinic literature and failing to provide a critical apparatus that would provide the reader with evidence for his conclusions.