Language:
Hebrew
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
מחשבת ישראל
Angaben zur Quelle:
ב (תשפא) 134-179
Keywords:
Maimonides, Moses,
;
Ibn Shem Tov, Shem Tov ben Joseph ben Shem Tov,
;
Jewish philosophy Middle Ages, 500-1500
Abstract:
This paper is devoted to analyzing Shem Tov ben Joseph Ibn Shem Tov’sunderstanding of the esoteric character of Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed,as well as to the esoteric techniques Shem Tov himself employed in hiscommentary on the book. His commentary, written shortly prior to theSpanish expulsion, is characterized by a thorough rationalistic reading ofMaimonides’ views on different key theological and philosophical issues. Hisbasic stance is to identify Maimonides’ views with those of earlierAristotelian philosophers, especially Alfarabi and Avicenna. In his magnumopus, Maimonides employed a host of esoteric techniques with the aim ofrevealing the truth only to the few true intellectuals, and we will describehow Shem Tov understood these techniques. As we will see, Shem Tov was acareful reader of the Guide and he paid special attention to the termsMaimonides employed. Moreover, just as Maimonides employed an esotericstyle when discussing the secrets of the Torah, so too does the commentatorwhen discussing the secrets of the. The adoption of an esoteric style ofwriting is, in my view, what most defines the uniqueness of thiscommentator and it is, ironically, this very aspect that has not receivedadequate scholarly attention.
Note:
With an English summary.
URL:
אתר את הפרסום בקטלוג המאוחד של ספריות ישראל
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