THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN POLEMIC BETWEEN THE KARAITE SCHOLAR ISAAC BEN ABRAHAM TROKI AND THE PROTESTANT THEOLOGIAN MARCIN CZECHOWIC IN THE BOOK ḤIZZUQ ’EMUNA

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the research. The article focuses on the analysis of the polemic between the Karaite Judaism – characterized by the recognition of the written Law of Moses and rejection of the Talmud – and Christianity – the most widely practiced religion in the Polish-Lithuanian territories of Eastern Europe. The research methodology is based on the search and comprehensive study of primary sources on the religious history of Eastern Europe. The Scientific Novelty.  The study on the Judeo-Christian polemic between Isaac ben Abraham Troki and Marcin Czechowic is significant for reconstructing the religious life of Karaites and their relations with Christians in Polish-Lithuanian society. The Conclusions. The article confirms that the Karaite scholar and polemical writer Isaac Troki, who was well acquainted with Polish and Latin theological literature, succeeded in demonstrating the author’s creed and exegetic skills in contrast to Catholic and Protestant beliefs. In response to anti-Jewish accusations as a result of strong differences in the understanding of God’s law, the Karaite author managed to disprove the allegations and wrote “Ḥizzuq ’Emuna”, where he questioned Christian dogmas. The analysis of the historical and theological aspects of “Ḥizzuq ’Emuna” through the lens of Polish Protestant reformer Marcin Czechowic’s book “Christian Conversations (Pol. RozmowyChristanskie)” lead to the conclusion that strong critical writing against Jews paradoxically contributed to the spread of Karaite dogmas among Protestant scholars.