Wisdom of Maimonides: The Life and Writings of the Jewish Sage »

Edward Hoffman is the author of numerous books on Judaism, Kabbalah, and psychology. He is a psychologist and adjunct professor at Yeshiva University in New York City. He writes extensively for leading Jewish newspapers and magazines, including the National Jewish Post & Opinion, and the Jewish Week, and his articles have appeared in New York Newsday, and Yoga Journal.

Here is an accessible introduction to the life and wisdom of the famous twelfth-century philosopher-physician Moses Maimonides, whose prolific writings on medical and religious issues, commentaries on Jewish texts, and writings on Jewish ethics and law profoundly influenced Judaism.

The Wisdom of Maimonides includes a biography; a section of selected teachings drawn from Maimonides' major works The Guide for the Perplexed and the Mishneh Torah, as well as his other writings; and tales about Maimonides' colorful life as a court physician and rabbinic leader.

Pt. 1 Maimonides: A Concise Biography 1

Pt. 2 Selected Writings 29

1 Understanding Human Personality 31

2 On Becoming a Sage 42

3 All Learning Is Sacred 55

4 Spiritual Awakening and Prophecy 65

5 Social Relations and Leadership 75

6 The Way of Health and Longevity 87

7 Foundations of Judaism 98

Pt. 3 Visionary Tales 125

Introduction to the Visionary Tales of Maimonides 127

1 The Lost Child 129

2 A Well-Balanced Diet 131

3 The Unnecessary Exorcism 134

4 A Cure for Depression 136

5 Healing through Tears 139

6 The Deceitful Patient 142

7 Surgery without a Scalpel 143

8 The Less Said the Better 145

9 A Remedy for Poverty 147

10 Sustaining Peace 150

11 The Comforted Guest 152

App. 1 Maimonides' Major Religious-Philosophical Works 153

App. 2 The Ten Medical Works of Maimonides 159

Chronology of Maimonides' Life 163

Glossary 167

Selected References 169