The Disputation
Maccoby's play, The Disputation is a reenactment of the Disputation of Barcelona, a dramatic confrontation between the Spanish Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, better known as Nachmanides, and a Spanish convert from Judaism to Christianity, Pablo Christiani, before King Jaime I of Aragon in 1263.
Much of the play is drawn from Nachmanides's account of the disputation, and much is inferred from the king's affection for the rabbi and considerable generosity to him following Christiani's formal victory. The play centers about King Jaime, who is portrayed as a complex, troubled soul who comes to accept the rabbi's ideas. The play has been widely performed and was broadcast by Channel 4.
Read more about this topic: Hyam Maccoby
Famous quotes containing the word disputation:
“The Scripture was written to shew unto men the kingdom of God; and to prepare their minds to become his obedient subjects; leaving the world, and the Philosophy thereof, to the disputation of men, for the exercising of their natural Reason.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)
“There is no call for indignation or resentment at anyone whatsoever inquiring, holding,
or propounding views concerning the divine, for it is not the authority of the disputant, but
the truth of the disputation that is in the request.”
—Marcus Minucius Felix (2nd or 3rd cen. A.D.)