For these reasons
the Dialogue has been described as the most important anti-Jewish text
of the Latin Middle Ages. This assessment is based not only on its
innovative argumentation but also on the fact that it was one of the
most popular medieval anti-Jewish polemics written. It was cited, often
verbatim, by later Christian polemicists like Peter of Blois and used by
Peter the Venerable. Alfonsi's Dialogue was known to Joachim of Fiore,
who adapted its illustration of the mystery of the Trinity contained in
the tetragrammaton; summarized by Vincent of Beauvais, who included a
long extract from the Dialogue in his popular Speculum historiale;
exploited by Raymund Martini in his monumental Pugio Fidei; and utilized
by Abner de Burgos in his Mostrador de Justicia. It was also likely
employed by Pablo Christiani to prepare for the public disputation at
Barcelona (1263 C.E.) and later by Jerome de Santa Fe for the
disputation at Tortosa (1413-1414 C.E.).

Never
before translated into English, this work presents to the reader perhaps
the most important source for an intensifying medieval Christian-Jewish
debate.

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:

Irven
M. Resnick is professor of philosophy and religion, and Chair of
Excellence in Judaic Studies, at the University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga.