Maimonides the Universalist

Professor Kellner is chair of the Department of Philosophy and Jewish Thought, Shalem College, Jerusalem and Wolfson Professor Emeritus of Jewish Thought, University of Haifa. David Gillis is an independent scholar and author of Reading Maimonides Mishneh Torah, also published by the Littman Library.

• Note on TransliterationIntroduction1. Knowledge: To Know Is To Love2. Love: Abraham, Moses, and the Meaning of Circumcision3. Seasons: Hanukah and Purim Reconfigured4. Women: Marital and Universal Peace5. Holiness: Commandments as Instruments6. Asseverations: Social Responsibility and Sanctifying God's Name7. Agriculture: Sanctifying All Human Beings8. TempleService: The Divinity of the Commandments9. Offerings: The Morality of the Commandments10. RitualPurity: Intellectual and Moral Purity11. Damages: Who Is a Jew?12. Acquisition: Slavery versus Universal Humanity13. Civil Laws: God of Aristotle in the God of Abraham14. Judges: Messianic UniversalismConclusionAppendix: Maimonides' Cosmic ParadigmBibliographyIndex of CitationsIndex of Subjects

‘The book’s central thesis is convincing and well argued: that the codas to each book of the Mishneh Torah present a focus of vision that is moral and universal in nature… Maimonides the Universalist offers a provocative and intriguing invitation and guide to that masterwork, highlighting themes of universal resonance and significance.’ Diana Lobel, Speculum