Die ärztliche Schweigepflicht im Strafvollzug

by Isadore Twersky (Editor), Maimonides

English text of Maimonides Guide of the Perplexed, Mishneh Torah and others with intro and notes by Isadore Twersky

Genres: Philosophy, Judaism, Religion, Jewish, Judaica, Nonfiction

512 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1971

Reviews

[Caleb Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review only applies to the selections from Guide for the Perplexed included in this reader.

A wonderful work that speaks to many of the issues that we face today regarding religion, the political structure of society and science. Maimonides made me view religion in a new light. Modern day philosophers like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris seem to shame and bully people out of religion. While the Guide did not convert me, it made me appreciate the complexity, beauty and intellectual strength to be found in religious texts. A critical piece of the history of philosophy. Those interested in the field would be doing themselves a disservice by passing over Guide for the Perplexed.

(I have no complaints of Twersky's translation. Further, his introduction is informative and comprehensive.)

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twersky-edited collection has long served as a proper introduction to the work of Maimonides, with thoughtful consideration to the selections from his major works and epistles included. As a student in a Judaic Studies program, this was one of the best books I could've asked for at the introductory level. A good starting point before moving onward and upward to the more complete Pines and Strauss U. of Chicago editions of Rambam's works.

[jt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essential text for those who wish to read Maimonides–this collection contains roughly all the Rambam anybody could ever need.

[Michael’ · Rating 1 out of 5]

It starts with an introduction, a very bad one. Of Maimonides intellectual influences only Aristotle is pointed out. Aristotle’s influence is so incredibly obvious even a blind person would have seen it. The context of Maimonides’ activity is explored a little bit. Cultural, religious, philosophical, political and other trends of the time that could have influenced are left out of the picture for the most part. Instead we get a rant about how great Maimonides was. How he triumphed over adversity, bla bla bla. A really boring underdog story essentially. Twersky rambles on about all kinds of irrelevant stuff. Then he gets to important features of Jewish theology as a whole, which could be very useful in understanding Maimonides. He quickly blazes through it as if it is already understood by the reader. If you suppose the reader already understands the basics, why repeat them? If not, why aren’t they explained properly?
After a very long, very useless introduction, the book really starts. I didn’t make it in far. Maimonides doesn’t explain his opinions, doesn’t write anything of value and some of his opinions are just sick. For example: “He will then realize that he is a vessel full of shame, dishonor, and reproach, empty and deficient.” Seems very misanthropic. “A man should, accordingly, strive to win a scholar's daughter for a wife, and should give his daughter in marriage to a scholar.” Pervert.
I spend much of the time thinking about Nietzsche and how right he was in labelling religion as life denying. Why read the ramblings of a perverted old fool?

[Craig Bolton]

A Maimonides Reader (Library of Jewish Studies) by Isadore Twersky (1972)