Science in the bet midrash : studies in Maimonides / Menachem Kellner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kellner, Menachem Marc, 1946-

Series:

Emunot.

Emunot : Jewish philosophy and Kabbalah

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204.

Maimonides, Moses.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (392 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Brighton, Mass. : Academic Studies Press, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Science in the Bet Midrash explores the religious thought of Moses Maimonides (1138-1204), one of the most influential Jews of the last thousand years. While covering many aspects of his religious philosophy, these essays focus on the way Maimonides elucidated and expressed the universalistic thrust of the Jewish tradition. Maimonides construed the election of Israel as a challenge, not an endowment. This challenge is ultimately addressed to all human beings, not just to Jews.

Contents:

Part I. Approaches to the study of Maimonides

Introduction to part one, Approaches to the study of Maimonides

Reading Rambam-approaches to the interpretation of Maimonides

Strauss' Maimonides vs. Maimonides' Maimonides : could Maimonides have been both enlightened and Orthodox?

The literary character of the Mishneh Torah : on the art of writing in Maimonides' Halakhic works

Is Maimonides' ideal person austerely rationalist?

Part II. Religious faith and dogma

Introduction to part two: Religious faith and dogma

Heresy and the nature of faith in medieval Jewish philosophy

What is heresy?

Maimonides' thirteen principles and the structure of the Guide of the perplexed

Maimonides, Crescas, and Abravanel on Ex. 20:2 : a medieval Jewish exegetical dispute

Could Maimonides get into Rambam's heaven?

Returning the crown to its ancient glory : Marc Shapiro's the limits of Orthodox theology : Maimonides' thirteen principles reappraised

The virtue of faith

Part III. Science and Torah

Introduction to part three: Science and Torah

On the status of the astronomy and physics in Maimonides' Mishneh Torah and Guide of the perplexed : a chapter in the history of science

Maimonides on the science of the Mishneh Torah : provisional or permanent?

Maimonides' allegiances to science and Judaism

Faith, science, and orthodoxy

Part IV. Universalism

Introduction to part four: Universalism

Chosenness not chauvinism : Maimonides on the chosen people

Was Maimonides truly universalist?

Maimonides' true religion : for Jews, or all humanity?

Spirituality and a life of holiness : how one lives a holy life and who can do it.

Notes:

Formerly CIP.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 359-388) and index.

ISBN:

1-61811-096-9

OCLC:

1135578067