Published: Feb. 04, 2012
Words: 94,609 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465862228

Short description

The Kuzari is a classic work of Jewish philosophy, written in 1140 C.E. by famed Jewish poet and philosopher Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi. His goal was to defend Judaism against attacks from philosophers, Christian and Moslem theologians, and Karaites.

Extended description

"We can still learn much from Judah Halevi... his serene allegiance to history and the long-range forces of destiny high above the immediate brute realities and implacable forces of nature."
--Salo Baron

"In defending Judaism... against the philosophers, he was conscious of defending morality itself and therewith the cause, not only of Judaism, but of mankind at large."
--Leo Strauss (Read more) "We can still learn much from Judah Halevi... his serene allegiance to history and the long-range forces of destiny high above the immediate brute realities and implacable forces of nature."
--Salo Baron

"In defending Judaism... against the philosophers, he was conscious of defending morality itself and therewith the cause, not only of Judaism, but of mankind at large."
--Leo Strauss

"The Kuzari" is a classic work of Jewish philosophy, written in 1140 by celebrated Jewish poet and philosopher Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi. His goal was to defend Judaism against attacks from philosophers, Christian and Moslem theologians, and Karaites (Jewish sectarians).

The book, composed of five sections, takes the form of a dialogue between the pagan king of the Khazars and a Jewish scholar who was invited to instruct him in the tenets of the Jewish religion. It is loosely based on the true story of the conversion of the Khazar royalty and aristocracy to Judaism in the 8th century.

This edition is based on the 1905 translation by Prof. Hirschfeld from the original Arabic. However, great efforts have been invested in order to create a work that is accessible to the modern reader. Archaic language has been updated, long paragraphs broken down into smaller units, and the table of contents is expanded and fully linked.

In addition to Prof. Hirschfeld’s extensive introduction, this edition includes a biography of Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi and a summary of the central arguments of The Kuzari.
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Tags

israel, judaism, yehuda halevi, jewish philosophy, eretz yisrael

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Reviews

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Review by: cm2 on Feb. 28, 2012 :
Over the past 900 years, much of the science and Aristotelian philosophy that Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi so valiantly battled against in his classic work "The Kuzari" are no longer relevant. But many of the book's major themes - such as the limitations of human logic, the special mission of the Jewish people, the centrality of the Land of Israel - as well as his brilliant parables - are as important as ever.

The translation, while based on Prof. Hirschfeld's work, underwent a major overhaul; the English is up-to-date and flows. As an ebook, the formatting is clear, and the table of contents is detailed and fully linked. Also included are introductory essays about Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi and the major themes of the book.

This version of "The Kuzari" is definitely the best one currently available as an ebook.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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