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Author Stern, Josef, 1949-

Title Problems and parables of law : Maimonides and Nahmanides on reasons for the commandments (taʻamei ha-mitzvot) / Josef Stern
Published Albany : State University of New York Press, ©1998

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Description 1 online resource (xiv, 201 pages)
Series SUNY series in Judaica
SUNY series in Judaica.
Contents Taʻamei ha-mitzvot and the philosophical foundations of Judaism -- Problematic commandments I: Maimonides on the huqqim and antinomianism -- Problematic commandments II: Maimonides on decrees of Scripture -- Maimonides and Nahmanides on the interpretation of parables and explanation of commandments -- Maimonides on the parable of circumcision -- Problematic commandments III: Maimonides and Nahmanides on the huqqim, astrology, and idolatry
Summary Annotation A comparative examination of two Jewish philosophers views on Old Testament laws. Arguing that the two are not as radically opposed as has previously been argued, the author explore the impact of two elements of the Maimonidean revolution on the thought of Nahmanides. The first is Maimonides' idea of the problematic (or arbitrary) commandment, which he viewed as having reasons related to contingent historical context. The second, related idea was that explanations for all commandments should be modelled after the multilevel interpretations of parables, because often reasons were hidden from the people lest the commandments lose their impact. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-196) and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204 -- Contributions in understanding the commandments of Judaism
Naḥmanides, approximately 1195-approximately 1270 -- Contributions in understanding the commandments of Judaism
SUBJECT Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204 fast
Naḥmanides, approximately 1195-approximately 1270 fast
Subject Commandments (Judaism)
Jewish philosophy.
RELIGION -- Judaism -- Sacred Writings.
Commandments (Judaism)
Jewish philosophy
Form Electronic book
ISBN 0585068895
9780585068893
143842115X
9781438421155
0791438236
9780791438237