Maimonides

by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Heschel's classic work on Maimonides, originally published in Berlin during the thirties, in one of the few scholarly biographies available of the great medieval philosopher.

Genres: Judaism, Philosophy, Religion, History, Biography, Jewish

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Abraham Joshua Heschel was a Polish-born Jewish-American rabbi, theologian, philosopher, poet, and one of the most influential Jewish thinkers of the twentieth century. Raised in a distinguished Hasidic family in Warsaw, he received a traditional yeshiva education before pursuing advanced studies in philosophy and Jewish scholarship in Berlin, where he earned a doctorate and rabbinic ordination. Alongside his academic work, he wrote Yiddish poetry and developed an intellectual approach that combined classical Jewish tradition with modern philosophical inquiry. Following his arrest and deportation from Germany during the Nazi persecution of Jews, Heschel briefly returned to Poland before escaping to London and eventually immigrating to the United States in 1940. Many members of his family perished during the Holocaust, an experience that profoundly shaped his moral outlook and religious thought. After teaching at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, he joined the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, where he served for the rest of his career as professor of Jewish ethics and mysticism. Heschel gained international recognition through influential books including Man Is Not Alone, God in Search of Man, The Sabbath, The Prophets, and Who Is Man?, works that explored faith, revelation, prayer, prophecy, and the relationship between humanity and God. Drawing on the Hebrew prophets, Hasidic spirituality, Kabbalah, and medieval Jewish philosophy, he emphasized wonder, reverence, and the belief that religious life must unite intellectual reflection with ethical action. His writings argued that God seeks a relationship with humanity and that genuine spirituality demands compassion, justice, and responsibility rather than mere ritual observance. Heschel rejected purely legalistic interpretations of Judaism, insisting that inner devotion and moral sensitivity were inseparable from religious practice. Beyond scholarship, he became a prominent public voice for human rights and social justice. Inspired by the prophetic tradition, he actively supported the American Civil Rights Movement, marching beside Martin Luther King Jr. in the historic Selma to Montgomery march, an experience he famously described by saying that he felt as though his "feet were praying." He also spoke forcefully against racial segregation, poverty, and the Vietnam War, believing that religious conviction required engagement with the moral crises of society. Heschel further played an important role in improving relations between Jews and Christians by advising representatives of the Catholic Church during the Second Vatican Council, helping encourage changes in teachings concerning Judaism. His commitment to interfaith dialogue reflected his conviction that no single religious community possesses a monopoly on spiritual truth and that authentic faith fosters mutual respect. Through his scholarship, teaching, public activism, and enduring literary legacy, Heschel transformed modern Jewish thought while influencing theologians, philosophers, religious leaders, civil rights advocates, and readers around the world. His works continue to inspire discussions of spirituality, ethics, human dignity, and the enduring responsibility to unite contemplation with courageous action in the pursuit of justice.

Reviews

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

What Heschel did masterfully is situate Maimonides and his works in his time and surroundings, connecting his thought to political and religious streams in the societies he lived in, making it easier for a reader today to make sense of his general opinions and attitudes and how they relate to today. İn a way Heschel did with Maimonides' life what Maimonides did with the Talmud.

What Heschel did not so masterfully was the racism right at the beginning, that was rather jarring. Surely one could find a better way to explain the sociopolitical context of the medieval Maghreb than by claiming İmazighen are crude and without culture.

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't vouch for (or against) Heschel's scholarship, but he does tell a good story here: he brings Maimonides to life, and suggests that he progressed from knowing the law (his legal scholarship) to trying to know God (his philosophical work) to imitating God (his focus on medicine in the last decade of his life).

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting figure, but this biography was a little dry for my tastes.

[Honey Jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Jew I had heard this name before, heard quotes from him while studying the Torah with a Rabbi. But I didn't really know who he was until I decided to read this book about him. He is, of course, a very influential Jewish philosopher and Talmudic Scholar. Not only during his lifetime, but even now. Why else would we still be quoting him and studying his writings along with the Torah? The Author presents an easy to read, yet concise book about him, his life, his teachings, writing and philosophies. Enough to want to learn more, or just to know the basics about him.

[Gabriel H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense and, for me, a relatively new student of Judaism/particularly Jewish philosophy, often difficult. The fact that it was translated from the German (by someone other than Heschel) doesn't help, in part because the writing simply can't live up to Heschel's often extraordinary prose. Also, the names of the sources have not been translated in the notes. But! Interesting, and it did help bring me into both the intellectual and political worlds of medieval Jewish communities, and the mind of the young Abraham Heschel. Not infrequently more worshipful than seems useful to me.

[Daniel Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very human look at the life of the Rambam.Alongside trying to understand his philosophical works, tracking his life is helpful.

[John Conolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this book. Don't know how much I'll remember. Learned a little history of the Mediterranean during the 12th Century. Learned about the scholarship and genius of Maimonides. Interesting, and reasonably easy reading. Doesn't assume you're a Jewish scholar, as do other books I've seen about the man.

[David Rullo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book. Not enough time is spent on "Guide..." or his other writings. The final paragraph mentions an inscription on his grave about being a heretic but that's not explained or investigated. still, I learned a lot and would recommend it to others.

[CD · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that I've read previously. It is one that I have versions in both English und Deutsche.