Description
Book SynopsisBahya 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
Trade Review'This will now become the accepted and normative translation ... reliable and readable. This book belongs in even the smallest collections of Judaica, as well as of ethical literature.'
ChoiceTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements Translator's Introduction Notes to Translator's Introduction The Book of Direction to the Duties of the Heart Introduction 1 On the Unity of God 2 On the Explanation of the Aspects of Meditation upon Creation and God's Abundant Grace Shown in It 3 On Our Obligation of Obedience to God 4 On the Reliance upon God Alone 5 On the Pure Devotion of All Acts to God Alone 6 On Humility before God 7 The Explanation of the Aspects of Repentance, What is Essential to It and Its Consequences 8 On Self-Reckoning for God's Sake 9 On Asceticism, Its Kinds and Advantages 10 On the True Love of God Appendix (translated by David Goldsterin) Selected Bibliography General Index Index of Biblical Passages Index of Talmudic Passages
