Uriel Acosta (M / Portugal, Netherlands, 1585-1640), scholar

Uriel Acosta (Uriel da Costa; c1585-1640) was a Portuguese Jewish scholar. From a converso family, fled to Amsterdam in 1617 and returned to Judaism. A precursor of biblical criticism, contested the antiquity and authority of Rabbinic oral law. Because of his rationalistic skeptical views suffered excommunication and harsh punishment within his own congregation.