THE SOCIORELIGIOUS TEACHINGS OF PERFEYT DURAN IN THE INTRODUCTION TO MA'ASE EFOD

This study focuses on Perfeyt Duran's novel doctrine that a Jew, through study of scriptures, can achieve life's ultimate end and attain the afterlife. His thought is characterized by an anti-elitist approach that enables Jews who, for whatever reason, are incapable of lofty intellectual achievement - even conversos who are unable to participate in Jewish learning and rituals - to achieve the World to Come. The article includes discussion of various aspects of this topic in Duran's thought, including the importance that he ascribes to the “intention of the heart” in a person's actions, and the four segulot (intrinsic powers or properties) that are associated with every Jew: the segula of the mitzvot, the segula of scripture, the segula of the Land of Israel, and the segula of the people of Israel. The study shows how these are used in the service of a conception meant to build a bridge across the chasm that had opened up separating the elite that would read his writings from the conversos and “simple” Jews that were left in great distress following the riots of 1391, in doubt about the survival of their souls in the afterlife.