Worship of the Heart: A Study of Maimonides' Philosophy of Religion

262 Pages·1995·19.39 MB·English

by  Ehud Benor

'
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A Study in
Maimonides' Philosophy
of Religion
Ehud Benor
WORSHIP OF THE HEART
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SUNY SERIES IN JEWISH PHILOSOPHY
KENNETH SEESKIN, EDITOR
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WORSHIP OF THE HEART
A STUDY OF MAIMONIDES'
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
EHUD BENOR
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS
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Excerpts from The Guide of the Perplexed, translated with introduction
and notes by Shlomo Pines, © 1963 University of Chicago Press, are
reprinted by permission of the University of Chicago Press.
Published by
State University of New York Press, Albany
© 1995 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be
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including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical,
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writing of the publisher.
For information, address State University of New York Press,
State University Plaza, Albany, N.Y. 12246
Production by M. R. Mulholland
Marketing by Dana E. Yanulavich
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Benor, Ehud.
Worship of the heart: a study of Maimonides' philosophy of
religion / Ehud Benor.
p. em. - (SUNY series in Jewish philosophy)
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 0-7914-2635-1 (alk. paper).-ISBN 0-7914-2636-X (pbk.:
alk. paper)
1. Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204-Contributions in the
understanding of prayer. 2. Prayer-Judaism. 3. Philosophy,
Jewish. 4. Philosophy, Medieval. I. Title. II. Series.
BM669.B38 1995
296.1 '72-dc20 94-39855
CIP
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
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To Adina
in gratitude
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WORSHIP OF THE HEART: A STUDY OF MAIMONIDES' PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION 7 2/18/2011 10:25:31 PM
CONTENTS
Acknowledgment ix
Introduction 1
1. Prayer and Human Perfection 13
2. Prayer as Worship 63
3. Prayer and God's Knowledge 129
Conclusion: Prayer and Ordinary Experience 157
Notes 163
Select Bibliography 239
Name Index 253
Subject Index 255
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This book is a product of my efforts to bring to
Maimonidean studies a balanced synthesis of the perspectives
of philosophy, phenomenology of religion, and the history of
Jewish ritual law and theological reflection. This quest began
in earnest when Yeshayahu Leibowitz first introduced me, as
a young high school student, to the ethical writings of
Maimonides and to the Guide of the Perplexed. The intellec
tual standards he set have since guided my struggle with the
Maimonidean spiritual enigma. Deeply indebted to his
instruction, I am gratified that he lived to see the first fruits of
what I learned from him. Of the many who contributed in
scholarship, wisdom, criticism and advice I wish to single out
some for special recognition. Hilary Putnam guided me
through conundrums in the philosophy of language and chal
lenged me to clarify its implications for the unique
Maimonidean version of negative theology. Without Isadore
Twersky's generous involvement in my research and the ben
efit of his great erudition this book would not have been pos
sible. Thomas Scanlon reintroduced me to ethical theory and
to the Nicomachean Ethics as he allowed me to assist him in
teaching them to others. I gained much from regular discus
sion with members of Harvard's Center for the Study of World
Religions, particularly with John Carman, Harriette Crabtree,
and Kenneth Rose. The influence of Adina Davidovich's ideas,
critical observations and editorial suggestions is evident
throughout.
I am grateful for financial support from the Memorial
Foundation for Jewish Culture and the Charlotte W.
Newcombe Fellowship.
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