The guide for the perplexed by Moses Maimonides

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The guide for the perplexed by Moses Maimonides

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By John White Posted on Dec 22, 2025

In Category - Aviation

Authors: Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204 Published By : Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204

Book Language: English

Ever tried to make sense of ancient scripture in a modern world? That's exactly what Moses Maimonides set out to do 800 years ago. 'The Guide for the Perplexed' isn't a novel—it's a mind-bending letter written to help a student reconcile deep religious faith with the new, logical philosophy of thinkers like Aristotle. Imagine believing every word of the Bible literally, then being told about planets and physics that seem to contradict it. The central tension is this: Can you be a devout believer and a rational thinker at the same time? Maimonides argues yes, and his journey to prove it will challenge everything you think you know about God, scripture, and the universe. It’s philosophy, theology, and intellectual therapy all in one.

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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 1881. CONTENTS PAGE Life of Maimonides xv Moreh Nebuchim Literature. Analysis of the Guide for the Perplexed xxvii Part I. Introduction— Dedicatory Letter 1 The Object of the Guide 2 On Similes 4 Directions for the Study of this Work 8 Introductory Remarks 9 CHAPTER. I The homonymity of Ẓelem 13 II On Genesis iii. 5 14 III On tabnit and temunah 16 IV On raah, hibbit and ḥazah 17 V On Exod. xxiv. 10 18 VI On ish and ishshah, aḥ and aḥot 19 VII On yalad 19 VIII On maḳom 20 IX On kisse 21 X On ʻalah, yarad 22 XI On yashab 23 XII On kam 24 XIII On ʻamad 25 XIV On adam 25 XV On naẓab, yaẓab 25 XVI On Ẓur 26 XVII On Mishnah Ḥagigah ii. 1 27 XVIII On ḳarab, nagaʻ, niggash 27 XIX On male 28 XX On ram, nissa 29 XXI On ʻabar 30 XXII On ba 32 XXIII On Yaẓa, shub 32 XXIV On halak 33 XXV On shaken 34 XXVI On “The Torah speaketh the language of man” 34 XXVII On Targum of Gen. xlvi. 4 35 XXVIII On regel 37 XXIX On ʻaẓeb 39 XXX On akal 39 XXXI, XXXII On the Limit of Man’s Intellect 40, 42 XXXIII to XXXVI On the Study and the Teaching of Metaphysics 43–52 XXXVII On panim 52 XXXVIII On aḥor 53 XXXIX On leb 54 XL On ruaḥ 55 XLI On nefesh 56 XLII On ḥayyim-mavet 56 XLIII On kanaf 57 XLIV On ʻayin 58 XLV On shamaʻ 58 XLVI, XLVII On the Attribution of Senses and Sensations to God 59, 63 XLVIII The Targum of shamaʻ and raah 64 XLIX Figurative Expressions applied to Angels 65 L On Faith 67 LI–LX On Attributes 68–89 LI On the Necessity of Proving the Inadmissibility of Attributes in reference to God 68 LII Classification of Attributes 69 LIII The Arguments of the Attributists 72 LIV On Exod. xxxiii. 13; xxxiv. 7 75 LV On Attributes implying Corporeality, Emotion, Non-existence and Comparison 78 LVI On Attributes denoting Existence, Life, Power, Wisdom and Will 79 LVII On the Identity of the Essence of God and His Attributes 80 LVIII On the Negative Sense of the True Attributes of God 81 LIX On the Character of the Knowledge of God Consisting of Negations 83 LX On the Difference between Positive and Negative Attributes 87 LXI On the Names of God 89 LXII On the Divine Names composed of Four, Twelve and Forty-two Letters 91 LXIII On Ehyeh, Yah and Shaddai 93 LXIV On “The Name of the Lord,” and “The Glory of God” 95 LXV On the phrase “God spake” 96 LXVI On Exod. xxxii. 16 98 LXVII On shabat and naḥ 99 LXVIII On the Terms: The Intellectus, the Intelligens and the Intelligibile 100 LXIX On the Primal Cause 102 LXX On the attribute rokeb baʻarabot 105 LXXI The Origin of the Kalām 107 LXXII A Parallel between the Universe and Man 113 LXXIII Twelve Propositions of the Kalām 120 LXXIV Proofs of...

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Let's be clear: this isn't a book with a plot in the usual sense. Think of it as an incredibly long, detailed, and brilliant letter. Maimonides wrote it for one of his students who was struggling. This student knew his Bible inside and out, but he was also learning about science and Greek philosophy. He was caught in the middle, feeling like his faith and his reason were at war. 'The Guide' is Maimonides's attempt to build a bridge between them.

The Story

The 'story' is the intellectual journey. Maimonides takes confusing or seemingly contradictory passages from the Hebrew Bible—like God having a 'hand' or appearing in a 'burning bush'—and explains them. He says we often read scripture too literally. Instead, he uses logic and philosophy to show that these are metaphors, meant to teach deeper truths about a God who is beyond human understanding. He walks his reader through concepts of creation, prophecy, and divine law, aiming to remove the confusion and show that true faith and sharp reason are partners, not enemies.

Why You Should Read It

Reading Maimonides feels like getting a masterclass from the wisest teacher you've never met. His confidence is captivating. He isn't afraid to say, 'This verse doesn't mean what you think it means,' and then he carefully shows you why. The core idea—that you don't have to shut off your brain to have faith—is powerfully relevant today. It’s a book that demands your full attention, but the payoff is a clearer, stronger way of thinking about life's biggest questions.

Final Verdict

This is not a casual bedtime read. It's for the curious, the patient, and anyone who has ever felt a tension between what they believe and what they know. Perfect for history buffs, philosophy nerds, theology students, or anyone who enjoys a serious intellectual workout. If you're willing to put in the effort, you'll be thinking about Maimonides's ideas for years to come.

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