Studies in Maimonides and His Interpreters » (Bilingual)

Marc B. Shapiro holds the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Scranton.

More than 800 years after his death, the figure of Moses Maimonides—rabbi, philosopher, doctor, and communal leader—continues to fascinate. Studies in Maimonides and His Interpreters unites the traditional rabbinic approach and the modern academic perspective to forge a new understanding of this iconic teacher. 

This groundbreaking work by Marc B. Shapiro, which includes an essay on Maimonides’ approach to superstition in rabbinic literature and features three previously unpublished letters by Rabbi Joseph Kafih, will be essential reading for scholars and students of Jewish studies.

Principles of Interpretation in Maimonidean Halakhah: Traditional and Academic Perspectives 1

To Err Is Human 11

Old Questions, Modern Answers 55

Maimonidean Scholarship: Some Methodological Issues 68

Maimonides and Kabbalah 85

Maimonidean Halakhah and Superstition 95

A Note on Maimonides and Muhammad 151

Bibliography 153

Index of Maimonidean Passages 163

Contents: Hebrew Section

Nahman Isaac Fischmann's letter to Samuel David Luzzatto 1

Letters from Rabbi Joseph Kafih 25

Selections from the writings of Rabbi Jehiel Jacob Weinberg 29