Don Isaac Abarbanel דון יצחק אברבנאל
finance minister to three states, Bible commentator, leader of the exiles
Don Isaac Abarbanel was born in Lisbon in 5197 into a family that traced itself to the house of David. He was treasurer to the king of Portugal, fled to Castile after being accused of conspiracy, and became a financier to Ferdinand and Isabella.
In 5252 the edict expelling the Jews from Spain was signed. Abarbanel offered vast sums to have it revoked; tradition says the king wavered until Torquemada threw a crucifix before him. Abarbanel could have stayed by accepting baptism. He left with the exiles. Naples followed, then flight from the French invasion, Corfu, Monopoli, and finally Venice, where he served the state again and died in 5268.
Through all of it he wrote. His Bible commentary is unusual in form: before each section he sets out a long list of questions and then answers them in order. He is the first Jewish exegete to discuss politics at length, comparing monarchy and republic — with Venice before his eyes — and arguing that kingship is a concession, not an ideal.