Description
The teachings of Judaism's greatest medieval philosopher can be a companion on your own spiritual journey. No Jewish thinker has had a more significant impact on Jewish religious thought than Moses Maimonides (1138-1204). A medieval philosopher whose vision covered an extensive range, he created a method of mediating between revelation and reason that laid the groundwork for a rational, philosophically sophisticated Judaism. He also provided an approach to biblical interpretation and philosophy that remains relevant for people of all faiths who follow a religion based on sacred text and oral interpretation. In this accessible examination of Maimonides's theological and philosophical teachings, Rabbi Marc D. Angel opens up for us Maimonides's views on the nature of God, providence, prophecy, free will, human nature, repentance and more. He explores basic concepts of faith that Maimonides posits must serve as the basis for proper religious life. He also examines Maimonides's insights on reward and punishment, messianic days, the world to come and other tenets of Jewish faith. Now you can experience the wisdom of Maimonides even if you have no previous knowledge of Judaism or Jewish philosophy. SkyLight Illuminations provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that reveals why Maimonides's teachings continue to have profound relevance to those seeking an intellectually vibrant understanding of Judaism.
About the Author
Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, is founder and director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals (www.jewishideas.org). Rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel of New York City, he is author and editor of twenty-nine books, including Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism; Foundations of Sephardic Spirituality: The Inner Life of Jews of the Ottoman Empire (both finalists for the National Jewish Book Award); and Maimonides-Essential Teachings on Jewish Faith and Ethics: The Book of Knowledge and the Thirteen Principles of Faith-Annotated and Explained (all Jewish Lights). Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, is available to speak on the following topics: Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Confronting Basic Issues of Faith The Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Jewish Communities: Can We Learn from Each Other? Conversion to Judaism: What the Jewish Community Can Learn from Converts Choosing to Be Jewish: The Orthodox Road to Conversion Losing the Rat Race, Winning at Life: Ethics for Moderns
Reviews
"Accessible and authoritative.... Gracefully traces the contours of Maimonides's attempt to liberate Judaism from particularism and obscurantism. A wonderful and refreshing achievement." -Dr. Menachem Kellner, Department of Jewish History and Thought, University of Haifa; author, Must a Jew Believe Anything? "Illuminates for us new ways of perceiving Maimonides's halakhic, intellectual and spiritual understanding of Judaism ... and the meaning we can derive for our own lives." -Dr. Adena K. Berkowitz, scholar in residence, Kol HaNeshamah, New York City "An invaluable new translation ... a valuable overview of Maimonides's theological thought [and] a very helpful, lucid commentary that makes the work accessible." -Dr. Howard Wettstein, editor, Midwest Studies in Philosophy; professor of philosophy, University of California "Elegant, profound, accessible and challenging. Those who wish to walk the Golden Mean of Jewish tradition, while yet being drawn into a rational and faith-filled consideration of ... our shared obligation to gain access both to human wisdom and Divine truth would do well to read and re-read this spiritual gem." -Rabbi Stanley M. Davids, DD, rabbi emeritus, Temple Emanu-El, Atlanta, Georgia "[A] lucid and important book ... that brings the full spectrum of the teachings of the great Maimonides within the grasp of any Jew hoping to deepen their understanding and practice of their faith. Beautifully written and beautifully explained." -Naomi Ragen, author, The Tenth Song and other bestselling novels "Brings freshness and insight to [these] foundational theological and philosophical texts.... An invaluable new resource for another generation of those seeking to understand the inextricable relationships that exist between faith and reason." -The Rev. Walter J. Smith, SJ, PhD, president and CEO, HealthCare Chaplaincy, New York City
Book Information
ISBN 9781683361831
Author Rabbi Marc D. Angel
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint SkyLight Paths Publishing,US
Publisher Jewish Lights Publishing
About the Author
Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, is founder and director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals (www.jewishideas.org). Rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel of New York City, he is author and editor of twenty-nine books, including Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism; Foundations of Sephardic Spirituality: The Inner Life of Jews of the Ottoman Empire (both finalists for the National Jewish Book Award); and Maimonides-Essential Teachings on Jewish Faith and Ethics: The Book of Knowledge and the Thirteen Principles of Faith-Annotated and Explained (all Jewish Lights). Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, is available to speak on the following topics: Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Confronting Basic Issues of Faith The Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Jewish Communities: Can We Learn from Each Other? Conversion to Judaism: What the Jewish Community Can Learn from Converts Choosing to Be Jewish: The Orthodox Road to Conversion Losing the Rat Race, Winning at Life: Ethics for Moderns
Reviews
"Accessible and authoritative.... Gracefully traces the contours of Maimonides's attempt to liberate Judaism from particularism and obscurantism. A wonderful and refreshing achievement." -Dr. Menachem Kellner, Department of Jewish History and Thought, University of Haifa; author, Must a Jew Believe Anything? "Illuminates for us new ways of perceiving Maimonides's halakhic, intellectual and spiritual understanding of Judaism ... and the meaning we can derive for our own lives." -Dr. Adena K. Berkowitz, scholar in residence, Kol HaNeshamah, New York City "An invaluable new translation ... a valuable overview of Maimonides's theological thought [and] a very helpful, lucid commentary that makes the work accessible." -Dr. Howard Wettstein, editor, Midwest Studies in Philosophy; professor of philosophy, University of California "Elegant, profound, accessible and challenging. Those who wish to walk the Golden Mean of Jewish tradition, while yet being drawn into a rational and faith-filled consideration of ... our shared obligation to gain access both to human wisdom and Divine truth would do well to read and re-read this spiritual gem." -Rabbi Stanley M. Davids, DD, rabbi emeritus, Temple Emanu-El, Atlanta, Georgia "[A] lucid and important book ... that brings the full spectrum of the teachings of the great Maimonides within the grasp of any Jew hoping to deepen their understanding and practice of their faith. Beautifully written and beautifully explained." -Naomi Ragen, author, The Tenth Song and other bestselling novels "Brings freshness and insight to [these] foundational theological and philosophical texts.... An invaluable new resource for another generation of those seeking to understand the inextricable relationships that exist between faith and reason." -The Rev. Walter J. Smith, SJ, PhD, president and CEO, HealthCare Chaplaincy, New York City
Book Information
ISBN 9781683361831
Author Rabbi Marc D. Angel
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint SkyLight Paths Publishing,US
Publisher Jewish Lights Publishing
