His Terminology
Albo's terminology is probably original with him. The three fundamentals he designates Ikkarim, or roots. The (eight) derived and necessary truths (upon the recognition and correct application of which depends whether the revealed religion prove itself to be the true religion) he calls shorashim, or secondary roots. Both of these, the Ikkarim and the shorashim are indispensable to the subsistence of the trunk of the tree. The branches, however, are not in this category.
Traditional Jewish customs, of which there are a great number in every religion are called the anafim, "twigs". He hold them to be unnecessary to the life of religion. They may be removed or may die off, and the trunk will still subsist.
Since the three Ikkarim are the same in all religions, Albo calls them also the Ikkarim kolelim (the universal principles or roots). The eight shorashim he styles sometimes Ikkarim peraá¹yim, but his terminology is not consistent throughout the work.
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