Sefer HaEmunah VeHaBitachon: the book of faith and trust and its authorship
The Sefer HaEmunah VeHaBitachon (ספר האמונה והבטחון), “The Book of Faith and Trust,” is traditionally printed among the writings of the Ramban, but its authorship is disputed.
Quick facts
| Title | Sefer HaEmunah VeHaBitachon (“The Book of Faith and Trust”) |
| Traditional attribution | Ramban (Nachmanides) |
| Possible author | Rabbi Yaakov ben Sheshet of Gerona (according to a note on AlHaTorah.org) |
| Century | 13th (according to library catalogs) |
| Modern edition | Included in Chavel’s Kitvei HaRamban (Jerusalem, 1964) |
The question of authorship
An AlHaTorah.org note on the Ramban’s works lists this book among those misattributed to him. It says that a student of the Rashba already ascribed it to the Ramban, but that it was apparently written by Rabbi Yaakov ben Sheshet of Gerona, and points to Vida’s introduction to Yaakov’s Meishiv Devarim Nekhochim. HathiTrust records list Yaakov ben Sheshet as the main author and Nachmanides only as a related name. Inclusion in a collection is not proof of authorship: Chavel’s edition contains it.
Our caution
We have not verified the work’s internal structure nor consulted Chavel’s introduction, where the matter would be discussed; for that reason we do not describe it here.
Frequently asked questions
Did the Ramban write it?
It is traditionally attributed to him, but one source consulted indicates that it is probably by Rabbi Yaakov ben Sheshet of Gerona. In this article the question remains open.
Sources
- Note on the Ramban’s works, AlHaTorah.org
- HathiTrust bibliographic records