Duties of the Heart: Chovos Ha-Levavos

by Bahya ben Joseph ibn Paquda

Living a full Jewish life involves more than compliance to a broad range of practices and traditions. It calls for the development of a full, rich inner, spiritual life, where one creates an ever-evolving, personal relationship with God. This demands conscientious study and reflection, and there is no better road map to all such matters of heart & mind than the 11th century classic, Duties of the Heart.
Among the topics explored in the text s ten, progressive stages are the unique oneness of God, the wonders of creation; service, trust, sincerity, reflection, gratitude, devotion, humility, love of God, and more. Weaving awareness of these concepts into the fabric of our daily lives elevates the soul as we develop an authentic, ongoing relationship with our Creator.
This masterful, new English translation of a timeless classic presented in an easy-to-follow, bi-lingual edition offers all readers an ideal text for daily study, insight, contemplation, and personal growth.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Religion, Philosophy, Judaica, Spirituality, Nonfiction

926 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1040

About the author

Bahya ben Joseph ibn Paquda (also: Pakuda, Bakuda) was a Jewish philosopher and rabbi who lived at Zaragoza, Spain, in the first half of the eleventh century. He is often referred to as Rabbeinu Bachya.

He was the author of the first Jewish system of ethics, written in Arabic in 1040 under the title Al Hidayah ila Faraid al-Qulub, Guide to the Duties of the Heart, and translated into Hebrew by Judah ibn Tibbon in the years 1161-80 under the title Chovot HaLevavot, The Duties of the Heart.

Little is known of his life except that he bore the title of dayan, judge at the rabbinical court. Bahya was thoroughly familiar with the Jewish rabbinic literature, as well as the philosophical and scientific Arabic, Greek and Roman literature, quoting frequently from the works of non-Jewish moral philosophers in his work.

Bahya says in the introduction to Duties of the Heart that he wished to fill a great need in Jewish literature; he felt that neither the rabbis of the Talmud nor subsequent rabbis adequately brought all the ethical teachings of Judaism into a coherent system.

Bahya felt that many Jews paid attention only to the outward observance of Jewish law, "the duties to be performed by the parts of the body" ("Hovot HaEvarim"), without regard to the inner ideas and sentiments that should be embodied in this way of life, "the duties of the heart" ("Hovot HaLev"). He also felt that many people disregarded all duties incumbent upon them, whether outward observances or inner moral obligations.

Reviews

[Lorelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, which is excerpts from a work by Rabbi Bachye translated into English. I wish I could read the whole thing and, I wish I could read it in Hebrew. It is very clear, it is logical, and I really appreciate the idea that in order to follow the laws of Gd, one must study the real world - in fact neglecting science, geography, mathematics and so on makes one prideful as well as foolish. I am very glad to have come across this little book.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly a thousand pages, nearly 10 months of prayerful contemplation of this text. I took my time with it to really sit with it, to incorporate it. Taking the time the text deserved feels like a luxurious blessing, and the first thing I want to do now that I've finished is start over again. Bahya is one of my favorite teachers of all time. He's a medieval Islamic-influenced Jewish philosopher in the way that Maimonides is, but he's also a clear ascetic and mystic in ways pretty much no one else in his 'category' is. He won me over in the introduction, almost lost me in early gates, and then from the 5th gate on blew my mind. Stick with the text, it gets better. In fact, it gets really great.
The text is broken down into ten sections (called 'gates') through which Bahya teaches what we'd now categorize as mussar, kavvanot, liturgy, and more. A number of original parables and prayers originate in this work that have become known over time as well. This edition ends not with the end of the text, but with an addition of two of Bahya's lengthier prayers and an acrostic piyyut.

[Rachel-Cassia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever! A must have in every Jewish home and a gem to reference often. Especially the prayer poem at the end!

Puts things in perspective like no other.

Logical clear and to the point.

[Jim George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eleventh century esoteric search for some truth. A very simple 30 page translation/synopsis of an older Jewish/Spanish rabbi's work of the same title.

[Zechy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. Wish I could have read the whole thing.

[Reza]

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