Isaac Abrabanel

Don Isaac Abravanel
Born	Isaac ben Judah Abravanel 1437 Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal
Died	1508 (aged 70–71) Venice, Republic of Venice
Resting place	Padua

Isaac ben Judah Abravanel (1437–1508) אברבנאל, יצחק בן יהודה , commonly referred to just as Abravanel, also spelled Abarbanel or Abrabanel, was a Portuguese Jewish statesman, philosopher, Bible commentator, and financier.

Abravanel was born in Lisbon, Portugal, into one of the oldest and most distinguished Jewish Iberian families, the Abravanel family, who had escaped massacre in Castile in 1391. A student of the rabbi of Lisbon, Joseph Chaim, he became well versed in rabbinic literature and in the learning of his time, devoting his early years to the study of Jewish philosophy. Abravanel is quoted as saying that he included Joseph ibn Shem-Tov as his mentor. At twenty years old, he wrote on the original form of the natural elements, on religious questions and prophecy. Together with his intellectual abilities, he showed a complete mastery of financial matters. This attracted the attention of King Afonso V of Portugal who employed him as treasurer.

He used his high position and the great wealth he had inherited from his father, to aid his co-religionists. When his patron, Afonso captured the city of Arzila, in Morocco, the Jewish captives faced being sold as slaves. Abravanel contributed largely to the funds needed to free them, and personally arranged for collections throughout Portugal. He also wrote to his learned and wealthy friend, Vitale (Yehiel) Nissim da Pisa, on behalf of the captives.

After the death of Afonso he was obliged to relinquish his office, having been accused by King John II of connivance with the Duke of Braganza, who had been executed on the charge of conspiracy. Abravanel, warned in time, saved himself by a hasty flight to Castile in 1483. His large fortune was confiscated by royal decree.

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