The Guide for the Perplexed Page...

This is the full, unabridged text of one of the greatest philosophic works of all time. Written by a 12th-century thinker who was equally active as an original philosopher and as a Biblical and Talmudic scholar, it is both a classic of great historical importance and a work of living signicance today.

PREFACE TO VOLUME ONE OF THE FIRST EDITION IN compliance with a desire repeatedly expressed by the Committee of the Hebrew Literature Society, I have undertaken to translate Maimonides’ Dalalat al- Hairin, better known by the Hebrew title Moreh Nebuchim, and I offer the first instalment of my labours in the present volume. This contains—(  ) A short Life of Maimonides, in which special attention is given to his alleged apostasy. (  ) An analysis of the whole of the Moreh Nebuchim. (  ) A translation of the First Part of this work from the Arabic, with explanatory and critical notes. Parts of the Translation have been contributed by Mr. Joseph Abrahams, B. A., Ph. D., and Rev. H. Gollancz— the Introduction by the former, and the first twenty- five chapters by the latter. In conclusion I beg to tender my thanks to Rev. A. Loewy, Editor of the Publications of the Hebrew Literature Society, for his careful revision of my manuscript and proofs, and to Mr. A. Neubauer, M. A., for his kindness in supplying me with such information as I required. M. FRIEDLÄNDER. JEWS’ COLLEGE, June     .   C h a p t e r Home  | T O C  | I n d e x For use on stand- alone, non- institutional computers only. To purchase Scholar PDF version with advanced functionality, go to www. publishersrow. com

The Guide for the Perplexed

About Book The Guide for the Perplexed

FRONT MATTERTitle PageCopyright PagePrefacePreface to Vol. One of the First EditionContentsThe Life of Moses MaimonidesThe Moreh Nebuchim LiteratureAnalysis of the Guide for the PerplexedINTRODUCTIONPART ONEI. The homonymity of ZelemII. On Genesis iii. 5.III. On tabnit and temunahIV. On raah, hibbit and hazahV. On Exod. xxiv. 10. VI. On ish and ishshah, ah and ahotVII. On yaladVIII. On makomIX. On kisseX. On ‘alab, yaradXI. On yashabXII. On kamXIII. On ‘amadXIV. On adamXV. On nazab, yazabXVI. On ZurXVII. On Mishnah Hagigah ii. 1XVIII. On karab, naga‘, niggashXIX. On maleXX. On ram, nissaXXI. On ‘abarXXII. On baXXIII. On Raza, shubXXIV. On halakXXV. On shakenXXVI. On “The Torah speaketh the language of man”XXVII. On Targum of Gen. xlvi. 4XXVIII. On regelXXIX. On ‘azebXXX. On akalXXXI. On the Limit of Man's IntellectXXXII. On the Limit of Man's IntellectXXXIII. On the Study and the Teaching of MetaphysicsXXXIV. On the Study and the Teaching of MetaphysicsXXXV. On the Study and the Teaching of MetaphysicsXXXVI. On the Study and the Teaching of MetaphysicsXXXVII. On panimXXXVIII. On ahorXXXIX. On lebXL. On ruahXLI. On nefeshXLII. On hayyim-mavetXLIII. On kanafXLIV. On ‘ayinXLV. On shama‘XLVI. On the Attribution of Senses and Sensations to GodXLVII. On the Attribution of Senses and Sensations to GodXLVIII. The Targum of shama‘ and raahXLIX. Figurative Expressions applied to AngelsL. On FaithLI. On the Necessity of Proving the Inadmissibility of Attributes in reference to GodLII. Classification of AttributesLIII. The Arguments of the AttributistsLIV. On Exod. xxxiii. 13; xxxiv. 7LV. On Attributes implying Corporeality, Emotion, Non-existence and Comparison LVI. On Attributes denoting Existence, Life, Power, Wisdom and WillLVII. On the Identity of the Essence of God and His AttributesLVIII. On the Negative Sense of the True Attributes of GodLIX. On the Character of the Knowledge of God Consisting of NegationsLX. On the Difference between Positive and Negative AttributesLXI. On the Names of GodLXII. On the Divine Names composed of Four, Twelve and Forty-two LettersLXIII. On Ehyeb, Rah and ShaddaiLXIV. On “The Name of the Lord,” and “The Glory of God”LXV. On the phrase “God spake”LXVI. On Exod. xxxii. 16LXVII. On shabat and nahLXVIII. On the Terms: The Intellectus, the Intelligens and the IntelligibileLXIX. On the Primal CauseLXX. On the attribute rokeb ba‘arabotLXXI. The Origin of the KalamLXXII. A Parallel between the Universe and ManLXXIII. Twelve Propositions of the KalamLXXIV. Proofs of the Kalam for the creatio ex nihiloLXXV. Proofs of the Kalam for the Unity of GodLXXVI. Proofs of the Kalam for the Incorporeality of GodPART TWO.IntroductionI. Philosophical proofs for the Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity of the First CauseII. On the Existence of Intelligences or purely Spiritual BeingsIII. The Author adopts the Theory of Aristotle as least open to Objections IV. The Spheres and the Causes of their MotionV. Agreement of the Aristotelian Theory with the Teaching of ScriptureVI. What is meant by the Scriptural Term “Angels”VII. The Homonymity of the term “Angel”VIII. On the Music of the SpheresIX. On the Number of the Heavenly SpheresX. The Influence of the Spheres upon the Earth manifests itself in four different ways XI. The Theory of Eccentricity Preferable to that of EpicyclesXII. On the Nature of the Divine Influence and that of the SpheresXIII. Three Different Theories about the Beginning of the UniverseXIV. Seven Methods by which the Philosophers sought to prove the Eternity of the UniverseXV. Aristotle does not scientifically demonstrate his TheoryXVI. The Author refutes all Objections to Creatio ex nihiloXVII. The Laws of Nature apply to Things Created, but do not regulate the Creative Act which produces themXVIII. Examinations of the Proofs of Philosophers for the Eternity of the UniverseXIX. Design in NatureXX. The Opinion of Aristotle as regards Design in NatureXXI. Explanation of the Aristotelian Theory that the Universe is the necessary Result of the First CauseXXII. Objections to the Theory of the Eternity of the UniverseXXIII. The Theory of Creatio ex nihilo is preferable to that of the Eternity of the UniverseXXIV. Difficulty of Comprehending the Nature and the Motion of the Spheres according to the Theory of AristotleXXV. The Theory of Creation is adopted because of its own Superiority, the Proofs based on Scripture being InconclusiveXXVI. Examination of a passage from Pirke di-Rabbi Eliezer in reference to CreationXXVII. The Theory of a Future Destruction of the Universe is not part of the Religious Belief taught in the BibleXXVIII. Scriptural Teaching is in favour of the Indestructibility of the UniverseXXIX. Explanation of Scriptural Phrases implying the Destruction of Heaven and EarthXXX. Philosophical Interpretation of Genesis i.–iv.XXXI. The Institution of the Sabbath serves (1) to Teach the Theory of Creation, and (2) to promote Man's WelfareXXXII. Three Theories concerning ProphecyXXXIII. The Difference between Moses and the other Israelites as regards the Revelation on Mount SinaiXXXIV. Explanation of Exodus xxiii. 20XXXV. The Difference between Moses and the other Prophets as regards the Miracles wrought by themXXXVI. On the Mental, Physical and Moral Faculties of the ProphetsXXXVII. On the Divine Influence upon Man's Imaginative and Mental Faculties through the Active IntellectXXXVIII. Courage and Intuition reach the highest degree of Perfection in ProphetsXXXIX. Moses was the fittest Prophet to Receive and Promulgate the Immutable Law. . .XL. The Test of True ProphecyXLI. What is Meant by “Vision”XLII. Prophets Received Direct Communication only in Dreams or VisionsXLIII. On the Allegories of the ProphetsXLIV. On the Different Modes in which Prophets Receive Divine MessagesXLV. The Various Classes of ProphetsXLVI. The Allegorical Acts of Prophets formed Parts of Prophetic VisionsXLVII. On the Figurative Style of the Prophetic WritingsXLVIII. Scripture ascribes Phenomena directly produced by Natural Causes to God as the First Cause of all thingsPART THREE.IntroductionI. The “Four Faces” are Human Faces with four different peculiaritiesII. The Hayyot and the OfannimIII. Further Explanation of the Hayyot and the Ofannim derived from Ezek. x.IV. The rendering of Ofan by Gilgal in the Targum of JonathanV. The Vision of Ezekiel is divided into three stages. . .VI. On the Difference between the Vision of Ezekiel and that of Isaiah (vi.)VII. The Different Ways in which the Prophet perceived the Three Parts of the Mercabah (Chariot)VIII. Man has the Power to Control his Bodily Wants and Earthly DesiresIX. The Material Element in Man Prevents him from Attaining PerfectionX. God is not the Creator of EvilXI. Man is the Cause of his own MisfortunesXII. Three Kinds of Evil. . .XIII. The Universe has No other Purpose than its own ExistenceXIV. It is the Will of the Creator that the Spheres regulate the Affairs of MankindXV. Impossible Things are not ascribed to the Creator, but it is difficult to Prove the Impossibility. . .XVI. On God's OmniscienceXVII. Five Theories concerning ProvidenceXVIII. Every Individual Member of Mankind enjoys the Influence of Divine Providence. . .XIX. It is an ancient Error to Assume that God takes no Notice of ManXX. God's Knowledge is Different from Man's KnowledgeXXI. The Creators knowledge of His Production is PerfectXXIII. Job and his Friends Discuss the various Theories concerning ProvidenceXXIV. On Trials and TemptationsXXV. The Actions of God are Not PurposelessXXVI. The Divine Precepts Serve a certain PurposeXXVII. The Object of the Divine Precepts is to Secure the Well-being of Man's Soul and BodyXXVIII. This Object is easily seen in some Precepts, whilst in others it is only known after due ReflectionXXIX. On the Sabeans or Star-worshippersXXX. It is one of the Objects of the Law of Moses to Oppose IdolatryXXXI. The Law Promotes the Well-being of Man by teaching Truth, Morality and Social ConductXXXII. Why did God give Laws to Oppose Idolatry instead of Uprooting it directly?XXXIII. Another chief Object of the Law is to Train Man in Mastering his Appetites and DesiresXXXIV. The Law is based on the ordinary condition of manXXXV. Division of the Precepts into Fourteen ClassesXXXVI. First Class of Precepts, to Know, Love and Fear GodXXXVII. Second Class, Laws concerning IdolatryXXXVIII. Third Class, Moral PreceptsXXXIX. Fourth Class, Laws relating to CharityXL. Fifth Class, Compensation for Injury and the Duty of Preventing SinXLI. Sixth Class, Punishment of the SinnerXLII. Seventh Class, Equity and HonestyXLIII. Eighth Class, Sabbath and FestivalsXLIV. Ninth Class, Prayer, Tefillin, Zizit and MezuzahXLV. Tenth Class, The Temple, its Vessels and its MinistersXLVI. Eleventh Class, SacrificesXLVII. Twelfth Class, Distinction between Clean and Unclean; and on PurificationXLVIII. Thirteenth Class, Dietary LawsXLIX. Fourteenth Class, Marriage LawsL. On Scriptural Passages with seemingly Purposeless ContentsLI. How God is worshipped by a Perfect ManLII. On the Fear of GodLIII. Explanation of Hesed (Love), Mishpat ( Judgment), and Zedakah (Righteousness)LIV. On True WisdomINDEXIndex of Scriptural PassagesIndex of Quotations from the TargumimIndex of Quotations from the MidrashimIndex of Quotations from the TalmudReferences to Works of MaimonidesReferences to Works on Science and PhilosophyGeneral Index
guide perplexed page https publishersrow ebookshuk books jewish hebrew ebooks this full unabridged text greatest philosophic works time written 12th century thinker equally active original philosopher biblical talmudic scholar both classic great historical importance work living signicance today
eBookshuk Books

The Jewish Encyclopedia Vol. 4
A monumental work which laid the foundation of Jewish scholarship in America. Written by more then 400 contributors from all over the world—many considered founding “fathers” of their respective disciplines—this massive 12-volume Encyclopedia remains unsurpassed in many areas. Each of its 12 volumes was re-created by craftsmen of Varda Graphics, Inc. to look as close to the original as possible, while allowing the reader to take advantage of the latest computer technology.

Tosefta Ki-Fshutah v. 12
asdf

Jerusalem Curiosities
This volume not only seeks to provide pleasurable reading but also enables the reader to grasp Jerusalem's unique role in the history of mankind. Those who read this book will encounter Jerusalem with eyes that see and hearts that understand.

JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis
The JPS Torah Commentary series guides readers through the words and ideas of the Torah. Each volume is the work of a scholar who stands at the pinnacle of his field.

Studies in Hebrew Narrative Art (Scripta Hierosolymitana XXVII)
Each of the twelve articles in this volumes illustrates some state of the development of Hebrew narrative prose: from biblical literature though talmudic-midrashic and medieval eras till modern times.

JPS Hebrew-English (Jewish Bible) Tanakh
A true searchable (offline -- English only; in optional online mode -- both English and Hebrew) replica (including Biblical Hebrew vowel and cantillation marks) of the original 2nd printed edition. It is a MUST for any serious student of The Holy Scriptures and perfect a participant in Bible-study groups.

The Battle for Jerusalem: June 5-7,1967
Enhanced by fascinating photographs and an epilogue tracing the subsequent lives and military careers of the key participants, Rabinovich's gripping narrative brings the reader to the scene of this brilliant military victory and emotional reunion of a people with their sacred city.

To Dwell in Unity: The Jewish Federation Movement in America Since 1960
The 1960s and 1970s were years of turbulent events and historic changes for the Jewish federations of North America. The book▓s title was chosen because unity is the hallmark of the federations. It is this unity that has pervaded the many federation developments in the historic and dramatic years of the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s.

Lost Love: The Untold Story of Henrietta Szold
The book tells the story of Henrietta Szold s lost love through her correspondence with Louis Ginzberg and a previously unpublished private journal.

Volume 10, The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia
Created by Reform Rabbis and Jewish Scholars, many of whom escaped from Nazi Germany, the Encyclopedia exhibits a unique sensitivity to all forms of anti-Semitic agitation and malice and makes every effort to find allies among others, especially Christians, to forge a shield for Jewish people in the face of the coming catastrophe.

Spain, the Jews, and Franco
The role played by Spain during World War II regarding the Jews has long been a matter of controversy. This volume, first published in Hebrew to wide acclaim seeks to set the record straight. It offers a full and objective account of the rescue of Jewish refugees from Nazi-occupied countries by the Franco regime.

Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Vol. 3
The most comprehensive work in its class; includes articles on all religions, ethical systems and movements, religious beliefs and customs, philosophical ideas, moral practices, as well as related subjects in anthropology, mythology, folklore, relevant areas of biology, psychology, economics and sociology.

The Jewish Encyclopedia Vol. 8
A monumental work which laid the foundation of Jewish scholarship in America. Written by more then 400 contributors from all over the world—many considered founding “fathers” of their respective disciplines—this massive 12-volume Encyclopedia remains unsurpassed in many areas. Each of its 12 volumes was re-created by craftsmen of Varda Graphics, Inc. to look as close to the original as possible, while allowing the reader to take advantage of the latest computer technology.

The Jewish Encyclopedia Vol. 12
A monumental work which laid the foundation of Jewish scholarship in America. Written by more then 400 contributors from all over the world—many considered founding “fathers” of their respective disciplines—this massive 12-volume Encyclopedia remains unsurpassed in many areas. Each of its 12 volumes was re-created by craftsmen of Varda Graphics, Inc. to look as close to the original as possible, while allowing the reader to take advantage of the latest computer technology.

Folk-lore in the Old Testament: Studies in Comparative Religion and Law. Vol. III
Many traces of the old modes of life and thought survive in the form of folklore. A few such relics of ruder times, as they are preserved like fossils in the Old Testament, are illustrated and explained by the author in this book. In the third volume The Keepers of the Threshold, the Bird-Sanctuary, The Silent Widow, and other stories are discussed.

The Goddess Anath
A major contribution to Ugaritic scholarship, The Goddess Anath--Cassuto's work on Canaanite Epics of the Patriarchal Age--is a classic authored by one of the greatest Bible scholars.

Jewish Pioneers and Patriots
In Jewish Pioneers and Patriots, Lee M. Friedman has unearthed an amazing store of fresh information about the connections of the Jews with America from the times even before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth down to the first World War.

Tractate Sanhedrin: Commentary and Study Guide
SANHEDRIN (“ Court”): Name of a treatise of the Mishnah, Tosefta, and both Talmudim. It stands fourth in the order Nezikin in most editions, and is divided into eleven chapters containing seventy-one paragraphs in all. It treats chiefly of courts and their powers, of qualifications for the office of judge, and of legal procedure and criminal law.

Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Vol. 9
The most comprehensive work in its class; includes articles on all religions, ethical systems and movements, religious beliefs and customs, philosophical ideas, moral practices, as well as related subjects in anthropology, mythology, folklore, relevant areas of biology, psychology, economics and sociology.

Dawn Over Baghdad
Gripping, up-to-the-minute report on America's most urgent national struggle today, as seen through the eyes of the U.S. servicemen and Iraqis who are trying to make a new country out of the most dangerous place in the world; distinct contrast to the gloomy picture of America's presence in this war zone so often painted by the mainstream media.

Art in Ancient Palestine
The books deals with various aspects of art in ancient Palestine: conquest of the East by Hellenism, Leda sarcophagus, general problems of reconstruction of the past through archaelogy.

The International Critical Commentary (ICC): GENESIS
An electronic edition of Skinner's main work.

The Jewish Community: Its History and Structure to the American Revolution. Vol.II.
The second volume of the work that is centered on the European Jewish community of the Middle Ages and early modern times. The author offers a comprehensive historical and sociological analysis of the Jewish communal evolution during the Emancipation era.

The Jewish Encyclopedia Vol. 7
A monumental work which laid the foundation of Jewish scholarship in America. Written by more then 400 contributors from all over the world—many considered founding “fathers” of their respective disciplines—this massive 12-volume Encyclopedia remains unsurpassed in many areas. Each of its 12 volumes was re-created by craftsmen of Varda Graphics, Inc. to look as close to the original as possible, while allowing the reader to take advantage of the latest computer technology.

Maimonides: Torah and Philosophic Quest
In this original study, noted scholar and theologian David Hartman discusses the relation between Maimonides' halakhic writings and The Guide of the Perplexed. This pioneering work earned Dr. Hartman a National Jewish Book Award for a book on Jewish thought.

The Jewish Encyclopedia Vol. 2
A monumental work which laid the foundation of Jewish scholarship in America. Written by more then 400 contributors from all over the world—many considered founding “fathers” of their respective disciplines—this massive 12-volume Encyclopedia remains unsurpassed in many areas. Each of its 12 volumes was re-created by craftsmen of Varda Graphics, Inc. to look as close to the original as possible, while allowing the reader to take advantage of the latest computer technology.

Palestine in the 18th Century


Studia Biblica et Ecclesiastica Vol. 2
asdf

Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Vol. 5
The most comprehensive work in its class; includes articles on all religions, ethical systems and movements, religious beliefs and customs, philosophical ideas, moral practices, as well as related subjects in anthropology, mythology, folklore, relevant areas of biology, psychology, economics and sociology.

The International Critical Commentary (ICC): HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI AND JONAH
For all the talk about Bible being a source of Western ethics, Mitchell's is one of the very few books extant that pays more then a lip service to this concept.

Tosefta Ki-Fshutah v. 7
qwer

Lost Love: The Untold Story of Henrietta Szold
The book tells the story of Henrietta Szold s lost love through her correspondence with Louis Ginzberg and a previously unpublished private journal.

Jewish Pioneers and Patriots
In Jewish Pioneers and Patriots, Lee M. Friedman has unearthed an amazing store of fresh information about the connections of the Jews with America from the times even before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth down to the first World War.

Tractate Ta'anis: Commentary and Study Guide
This is hard-core serious commentary on traditional Jewish belief that climatic conditions are entirely dependent upon the deeds of people. Taanis, one of the most interesting Talmudic Tractates, explicates this principle.

My Brother s Keeper: A History of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 1929-1939.
This book deals with the efforts of American Jews - through their overseas aid organization, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee - to come the aid of European Jewry in the crucial prewar decade, 1929-1939.

The Battle for Jerusalem: June 5-7,1967
Enhanced by fascinating photographs and an epilogue tracing the subsequent lives and military careers of the key participants, Rabinovich's gripping narrative brings the reader to the scene of this brilliant military victory and emotional reunion of a people with their sacred city.

Historisch-kritisches Lehrgebäude der hebräischen Sprache (in drei Bänden)
This is the largest compilation of grammatical material for Hebrew Bible.

Sacred Fragments: Recovering Theology for the Modern Jew
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award, this book will be a stimulating and rewarding step to exploring and restoring Jewish theology – and faith – at a time when belief is continually challenged and yet so very needed.

The Commentary of R. Samuel Ben Meir Rashbam on Qoheleth


JPS Hebrew-English (Jewish Bible) Tanakh
A true searchable (offline -- English only; in optional online mode -- both English and Hebrew) replica (including Biblical Hebrew vowel and cantillation marks) of the original 2nd printed edition. It is a MUST for any serious student of The Holy Scriptures and perfect a participant in Bible-study groups.

The Jew in the Literature of England
The Jew in the Literature of England sums up a history of the Jew as he was reflected in the literature of a civilization. Modder's sense of incident and detail, his command of a whole literature, his capacity to develop the social history that underpins literature make his study both absorbing and illuminating.

Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, 12 vls. plus Index
The most comprehensive work in its class; includes articles on all religions, ethical systems and movements, religious beliefs and customs, philosophical ideas, moral practices, as well as related subjects in anthropology, mythology, folklore, relevant areas of biology, psychology, economics and sociology.

A Commentary on the Book of Genesis (Part I): from Adam to Noah
One of the greatest masterpieces of Jewish Biblical scholarship directed against the Documentary Hypothesis or so-called Higher Critisism.

The International Critical Commentary (ICC): Amos and Hosea
The author has taken up in connection with the first two of the immortal Twelve, many questions that concern just as closely the prophetic books. It is especially felt in the Introduction; in fact Harper's introduction to Amos and Hosea is really an introduction to Prophecy as such.

The International Critical Commentary (ICC): Jobs (in 2 volumes)
Electronic edition of the massive commentary on the Book of Job.

By Design: science search for God
The book introduces and summarizes two contemporary movements science and religion dialogue and intelligent design . After reading By Design we understand how what was once a battleground between God and science can now become a meeting ground.

The International Critical Commentary (ICC): NUMBERS
A major work of interpretation, which served--according to Baruch Levin's own words--as “anchor and compass” for his Anchor Bible commentary on Numbers.

Tractate Sanhedrin: Commentary and Study Guide
SANHEDRIN (“ Court”): Name of a treatise of the Mishnah, Tosefta, and both Talmudim. It stands fourth in the order Nezikin in most editions, and is divided into eleven chapters containing seventy-one paragraphs in all. It treats chiefly of courts and their powers, of qualifications for the office of judge, and of legal procedure and criminal law.

JPS Torah Commentary: Leviticus
Levine ably brings modern scholarship as well as rabbinic commentary to bear when discussing the text in this third book in JPS Torah Commentary series.

Studies in Jewish Education IV: Curriculum and the teaching of Hebrew
The present volume, the fourth in the series Studies in Jewish Education, is dedicated to the subject of curriculum and the teaching of Hebrew.