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Jewish Philosophy in the Medieval World
V78.0425
MW 9:30-10:45
SILV 414
Prof. Elliot R. Wolfson
The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the main figures and themes in medieval
Jewish philosophy. Topics to be discussed include reason, faith, and prophetic revelation;
Israel’s election and universal human nature; creation versus eternity; divine heteronomy and
moral autonomy; free will, necessity, and divine omniscience; evil, justice, and divine
omnipotence; prayer, contemplation, human perfection.
Course requirements consists of a midterm, final, one classroom presentation, and a research
paper. Attendance and class participation will also be factors in determining the grade.
The main textbook for the course is The Jewish Philosophy Reader, edited by Daniel Frank,
Oliver Leahman, and Charles Manekin. The pagination of all the readings are from this book.
Students are required to purchase a copy and to bring it to class.
In addition to the required course readings, it is strongly recommended that all students read the
following works in the course of the semester (books will be put on reserve in the library):
Isaac Husik, A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy
Julius Guttmann, Philosophies of Judaism, section II
Colette Sirat, A History of Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages
The Cambridge Companion to Medieval Jewish Philosophy, edited by Daniel Frank and Oliver
Leaman
Session I: General Introduction to Jewish Philosophy: Scripture and Textual Reasoning
Session II: Reason, Faith, and Prophetic Revelation
Reading: Leo Strauss, “The Mutual Influence of Theology and Philosophy,” pp. 570-582
Samuel H. Bergman, Faith and Reason, pp. 583-585
Saadia Gaon, Book of Beliefs and Convictions, pp. 175-176
Judah Halevi, Kuzari, pp. 203-208
Abraham Ibn Ezra, Commentary on Exod 20:2, pp. 215-217
Maimonides, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 139-150
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Session III: Israel’s Election and Universal Human Nature
Reading: Philo, On the Creation of the World, pp. 15-19
Judah Halevi, Kuzari, pp. 209-211
Maimonides, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 23-25
Session IV: Creation versus Eternity
Reading: Genesis 1-3, pp. 7-10
Philo, On the Creation of the World, pp. 11-15
Judah Halevi, Kuzari, pp. 208-209
Maimonides, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 27-32, 232-233
Session IV: Divine Heteronomy and Moral Autonomy
Reading: Genesis 22, pp. 39-40 (Binding of Isaac)
Philo. On the Creation of the World, pp. 15-19
Saadia Gaon, Book of Beliefs and Convictions, pp. 171-175
Judah Halevi, Kuzari, pp. 211-214
Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, pp. 223-232 (Foundations of the Law)
Idem, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 40-41, 129-131
Session V: Free Will, Necessity, and Divine Omniscience
Reading: Exodus 9, 10, 14 (Hardening of the Pharaoh’s heart), pp. 46-48
Philo, On the Creation of the World, pp. 19-23
Saadia Gaon, Book of Beliefs and Convictions, pp. 177-180
Maimonides, Commentary on the Mishnah, pp. 48-50 (Eight Chapters)
Idem, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 25-27
Session VI: Evil, Justice, and Divine Providence
Reading: Job, 1-2, 42, pp. 60-62
Maimonides, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 73-78
Gersonides, Wars of the Lord, pp. 78-79
Session VII: Prayer, Contemplation, Human Perfection
Reading: Bachya Ibn Paquda, Duties of the Heart, pp. 105-108
Solomon Ibn Gabirol, Fountain of Life, pp. 190-200
Judah Halevi, Kuzari, pp. 212-214
Abraham Ibn Ezra, Commentary on Exod 23:25-6, pp. 217-218
Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, pp. 228-232 (Ethical Dispositions)
Idem, Guide of the Perplexed, pp. 234-242