On the nature of Ensof and Negative Theology in Abraham Cohen de Herrera’s Gate of Heaven

Abstract

Our aim is to give an account of Herrera’s view concerning the nature of Ensof, and how he thought that the syncretism between kabbalah and philosophy was a basic tenet worth to be attained. We also want to examine Herrera’s ascription to negative theology, by which he denies that the nature of the Infinite can be known through the sefirot, given that God is beyond intellect and will, according to the Neoplatonic metaphysical beliefs concercing divine unknowability.