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Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism

by Marc Angel

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A challenging look at two great Jewish philosophers, and what their thinking means to our understanding of God, truth, revelation and reason. Moses Maimonides (1138-1204) is Jewish history's greatest exponent of a rational, philosophically sound Judaism. He strove to reconcile the teachings of the Bible and rabbinic tradition with the principles of Aristotelian philosophy, arguing that religion and philosophy ultimately must arrive at the same truth. Baruch Spinoza (1632-77) is Jewish history's most illustrious "heretic." He believed that truth could be attained through reason alone, and that philosophy and religion were separate domains that could not be reconciled. His critique of the Bible and its teachings caused an intellectual and spiritual upheaval whose effects are still felt today. Rabbi Marc D. Angel discusses major themes in the writings of Maimonides and Spinoza to show us how modern people can deal with religion in an intellectually honest and meaningful way. From Maimonides, we gain insight on how to harmonize traditional religious belief with the dictates of reason. From Spinoza, we gain insight into the intellectual challenges which must be met by modern believers.… (more)
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Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD has written an extremely though-provoking book, giving the reader much to ponder regarding Moses Maimonides and Baruch Spinoza. Maimonides, Spinoza and Us is quite the intense read.

Angel’s comparing and contrasting Moses Maimonides and Baruch Spinoza, two great Jewish philosophers, is done with sensitivity, yet with a forthrightness that vividly speaks the varied philosophical languages and thinking of the two men. The two men, born almost five centuries apart had differing perspectives on religion, yet, Angel manages to blend the two together, incorporating both of their philosophies into the realm of Jewish life and Jewish religious practice and religious faith. There are areas where the two definitely agree. There are areas where Angel disagrees with each of them, and areas where he agrees with one or both of them, depending on the aspect and perspective demonstrated.

There is nothing wrong with questioning, and even questioning the sages, wise men and/or holy men. To seek truth is to question, and to learn from knowledge is to question the knowledge presented…continually. ( )
  LorriMilli | Mar 17, 2010 |
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A challenging look at two great Jewish philosophers, and what their thinking means to our understanding of God, truth, revelation and reason. Moses Maimonides (1138-1204) is Jewish history's greatest exponent of a rational, philosophically sound Judaism. He strove to reconcile the teachings of the Bible and rabbinic tradition with the principles of Aristotelian philosophy, arguing that religion and philosophy ultimately must arrive at the same truth. Baruch Spinoza (1632-77) is Jewish history's most illustrious "heretic." He believed that truth could be attained through reason alone, and that philosophy and religion were separate domains that could not be reconciled. His critique of the Bible and its teachings caused an intellectual and spiritual upheaval whose effects are still felt today. Rabbi Marc D. Angel discusses major themes in the writings of Maimonides and Spinoza to show us how modern people can deal with religion in an intellectually honest and meaningful way. From Maimonides, we gain insight on how to harmonize traditional religious belief with the dictates of reason. From Spinoza, we gain insight into the intellectual challenges which must be met by modern believers.

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