Triumphs of Poverty

No author prior to David Nieto has offered a comprehensive exegesis of the metaphor and imagery of the chariot in Ezekiel's vision. His interpretation in Triumphs of Poverty, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, has been transmitted through generations to the present day. Rabbi David Nieto (Venice, 1654 - London, 1728), a prominent figure in the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London, was renowned not only as a Hakham but also as a physician, astronomer, poet, theologian, and philosopher, as seen in his other work, On Divine Providence or Universal Nature or Natura Naturante, included in the same collection. In Triumphs of Poverty, Rabbi David Nieto elucidates as a rhetorician the significance of Ezekiel's mystical ascent to heaven in his chariot, boldly championing the virtues of poverty in an era dominated by materialistic thought in 18th-century England. Unfortunately, his work faced censorship and was largely forgotten over time, with no English translation until the first edition. This second unabridged edition has been meticulously expanded to include various sources omitted in the original facsimile, along with a prologue that explores the virtues of poverty in greater depth.

David Nieto (Venice, 1654 - London, 1728) was the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community in London. He was one of the most accomplished Jews of his time and was equally distinguished as philosopher, physician, exegete, poet, mathematician, astronomer, and theologian. Rabbi Nieto published in 1704, On Divine Providence or Universal Nature; The Triumphs of Poetry in 1709. He died in London and is buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mile End Road. An inscription on his grave reads: Sublime theologian, profound sage, a distinguished physician, a sweet poet, a famous astronomer, elegant preacher, subtle logician, ingenious physician, fluent rhetorician, pleasant author, an expert in languages, learned in history.