The Rehabilitation of Philosophy via Hermeneutics: Maimonides' Diverging Scriptural Evidence Regarding the Quest for the Rationale of the Commandments

This article focuses on one of the central issues in Moses Maimonides' Jewish philosophy: the quest for the rationale of the commandments. Maimonides regards this quest as religiously obligatory. However, on two occasions he points to diverging scriptural evidence to underline his claim. By jux...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Saidler, Meʾir (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill [2019]
In: European journal of jewish studies
Year: 2019, Volume: 13, Issue: 2, Pages: 167-181
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Maimonides, Moses 1135-1204 / Jewish philosophy / Decalog / Hermeneutische Logik
RelBib Classification:AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism
BH Judaism
VB Hermeneutics; Philosophy
Further subjects:B Jewish law (halakhah)
B rationale of the commandments
B Moses Maimonides
B Hermeneutics
B medieval Jewish philosophy
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Description
Summary:This article focuses on one of the central issues in Moses Maimonides' Jewish philosophy: the quest for the rationale of the commandments. Maimonides regards this quest as religiously obligatory. However, on two occasions he points to diverging scriptural evidence to underline his claim. By juxtaposing the two different scriptural proofs adduced by Maimonides, his use of hermeneutics in the service of philosophy is exposed in the inner precincts of Judaism: in regard to Judaism's particularistic law. In terms of spiritual leadership, Maimonides' dual scriptural approach enables him to bring his philosophical message home to different audiences.
ISSN:1872-471X
Contains:Enthalten in: European journal of jewish studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/1872471X-11321078