Jewish Philosophy

Volume Two of Jewish Philosophy: Foundations and Extensions deals with major thinkers. 'Interpreting Judah Ha-Levi' discusses misunderstandings of his idea, and his impact on Jewish thought, especially his theories of Jewish uniqueness and the superiority of oral communication. 'Interpreting Maimonides' examines the problematic structure of his Guide of the Perplexed, tensions in his ethical and political theory, and his radical approach to the book of Job.' Philosophy, Mysticism and Astrology' explores the fluid boundaries among these fields, and how rationalist philosophers were interested in non-philosophical questions. 'From Medieval to Modern Jewish Thought: Moses Mendelssohn' demonstrates how this transitional figure, though indebted to medieval thought, also formulated a radical and pluralistic modern political philosophy.

Raphael Jospe (Ph.D. Brandeis University) teaches Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Rothberg International School. He is a specialist in medieval Jewish Philosophy and has authored several dozen articles in medieval and modern Jewish thought and edited six books. His Hebrew publications include a three-volume history, Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages from Sa' adiah Ga'on to Maimonides; his English publications include Torah and Sophia: The Life and Thought of Shem Tov ibn Falaquera and What is Jewish Philosophy?