The Ethical Writings of Maimonides

Tue, 02/08/2022, -- Kate Lawn
The Ethical Writings of Maimonides

7:00 – 8:30 PM on Tuesdays, March 29, April 5, and April 12 (Zoom)

We will devote three sessions to reading Maimonides’ systematic Introduction to the Mishnah Tractate Pirke Avot and explore some of the connections of this early work by the Rambam to his late masterpiece The Guide of the Perplexed. At the outset of the Eight Chapters, Maimonides instructs us to “Hear the truth from whoever says it.” Close examination reveals his integration of philosophical ideas from Aristotle, Neoplatonic sources, and al-Farabi with rabbinic sources. Key topics include the nature of the soul and the acquisition of virtue, human perfection, prophecy, and divine knowledge. Chapter 8, which offers Maimonides’ reflections on Exodus 9:12 (And God hardened pharoah’s heart”), is devoted to human freedom and takes us right up to Pesah. Participants should purchase Maimonides, The Ethical Writings of Maimonides. ed. Raymond Weiss and Charles Butterworth (New York: Dover, 1983). ISBN-13: ‏978-0486245225. This class is part of the Open Beit Midrash series and meets on Zoom from 7:00-8:30PM on Tuesdays, March 29, April 5, and April 12.

Dr. Julie Klein 

Julie R. Klein is a member of the Department of Philosophy at Villanova University. She is a scholar of Spinoza and teaches widely in medieval and early modern philosophy.

Register here:

  • Please note that there is a member and non-member rate for this class.
  • For GJC members, registration is $30. For non-members, registration is $45. As a courtesy to our highest level donors (Nediv Lev), registration fees are waived for all Koleinu Beit Midrash classes. Scholarships are available for GJC members.
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  • IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT PAYMENTS: If you choose "PayPal," please follow through with entering your credit card information into PayPal for payment. If you choose "Pay with a check," please hit submit to register and disregard the PayPal window that automatically pops up - you will be registered for the class. Please mail in a check made out to "GJC" with "Maimonides" in the memo section. Please note that you will receive the Zoom link for the class only when payment has been confirmed by the GJC office, so if you are mailing a check, please give yourself ample time for it to get to GJC and be processed by the office staff. Thank you!

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