The Book of Direction to the Duties of the Heart (The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization) - Softcover

Bahya Ben Joseph Ibn Pakuda

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1904113230 ISBN 13: 9781904113232

Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2004

Synopsis

Bahya Ibn Pakuda was born c. 1050, and lived for some time in Saragossa in Spain. His major work was written in Arabic, but it is most well-known by its Hebrew title Hovot ha-Levavot (Duties of the Heart). It enjoyed enormous popularity and was reprinted many times.

In the book Bahya investigates the motivation of Jewish practice and embarks on a philosophical enquiry into the nature of God, religion, and man. He was very much influenced by the Neoplatonism of his age, as well as by the Muslim mystics.

This edition by Menahem Mansoor is the first translation of the work from the original Arabic text, and this shows a number of variations from the Hebrew version. He has added an Introduction and Notes which draw attention to the influences on Bahya’s thought and to other relevant material.

‘The accepted and normative translation . . . reliable and readable. This book belongs in even the smallest collections of Judaica, as well as of ethical literature.’ Choice

About this title

Product Description

The Book of Direction to the Duties of the Heart 'The accepted and normative translation ... reliable and readable. This book belongs in even the smallest collections of Judaica, as well as of ethical literature.' Choice Full description

Review

The accepted and normative translation . . . reliable and readable. This book belongs in even the smallest collections of Judaica, as well as of ethical literature. --Choice

Edition details

• Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1904113230
• ISBN 13: 9781904113232
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 480
• Editor: Introduction, Translation, And Notes By Menahem Mansoor