The Secrets of The Guide To The Perplexed: סודותיו של מורה הנבוכים Hebrew book for Adults / israeli Literature

by Micah Goodman

A publishing sensation long at the top of the best-seller lists in Israel, the original Hebrew edition of Maimonides and the Book That Changed Judaism has been called the most successful book ever published in Israel on the preeminent medieval Jewish thinker Moses Maimonides. The works of Maimonides, particularly The Guide for the Perplexed, are reckoned among the fundamental texts that influenced all subsequent Jewish philosophy and also proved to be highly influential in Christian and Islamic thought.Spanning subjects ranging from God, prophecy, miracles, revelation, and evil, to politics, messianism, reason in religion, and the therapeutic role of doubt, Maimonides and the Book That Changed Judaism elucidates the complex ideas of The Guide in remarkably clear and engaging prose.Drawing on his own experience as a central figure in the current Israeli renaissance of Jewish culture and spirituality, Micah Goodman brings Maimonides’s masterwork into dialogue with the intellectual and spiritual worlds of twenty-first-century readers. Goodman contends that in Maimonides’s view, the Torah’s purpose is not to bring clarity about God but rather to make us realize that we do not understand God at all; not to resolve inscrutable religious issues but to give us insight into the true nature and purpose of our lives.

Genres: Judaism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Jewish, Religion, Israel, Theology

383 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Micah Goodman is the author of four best-selling books in Israel including Maimonides and the Book That Changed Judaism. He is president of Beit Midrash Yisraeli–Ein Prat, and a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.

Reviews

[Jeffrey (Akiva) Savett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most essential books on Jewish thought I've ever read. It's now in my personal canon of books which have (and hopefully will) help to shape my thinking and character.

Any Jewish person who seeks a sophisticated relationship with his or her faith must eventually meet the Rambam. Goodman goes a long way to making that meeting inspiring.

[The Jewish Book Council]

Review by Philip K. Jason for the Jewish Book Council.

[Elazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to better understand "The Guide for the Perplexed". I'm looking forward to re-reading Maimonides.

[Primordial Offering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an awesome introduction to Maimonides. I will return for a re-read, in time...

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10
יצאתי נבוך

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. For a relatively brief book, it packs a massive amount of information. A must have overview for those wanting to delve into the referenced work - and good luck, because I can tell you there are no good translations. This is a book that everyone who is interested in the intersection of faith and reason should read.

[Gabriel Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good but difficult

This is a very good guide to one of the most complicated books ever written. But this also makes this a complicated book to read, grasp and absorb. Takes much thought, but it’s worth it.

[Abraham Mustri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good companion after The Guide

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illuminating

[Antônio Xerxenesky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Três estrelas e meia, na verdade.

[ציפורה אמונה · Rating 5 out of 5]

very insightful , on Moreh Nevuchim

[Mina Herz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, would be suited to somebody who knows a lot about Western philosophy and is sceptical of Judaism. Thank you Jake for the recommendation <3

[Xavier Alexandre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read about Maimonides so far. Micah Goodman has done an outstanding work structuring every answer the Rambam offers to most existential questions. He makes clear how, to each of those, there is not one but several of them.

[Charles Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I've read such a philosophical book. Parts of it I loved and found engaging, other parts felt tedious. Such is the reading of most philosophical works, I think.

[Claudio Mosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb insight on Rambam's Guide. Will definitively go back to re-read sections as time passes. Lots to digest and attempt to incorporate into my life.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unconvinced by this book until I went back to Moreh Nevukhim and spent a lot of time reading it. Now I'm convinced Dr Goodman's book is just an introduction to some of the Rambam's startling ideas.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real eye-opener, reminds you of the mysteries of that great book and thinker. However, Micha has a tendency to overrate radical interpretations of the Guide, which I don't always find convincing