Guide for the Perplexed, Part 3
Moses Maimonides
Play
Length 14 h 11 min
Chapters 54
First published 1904
The Guide for the Perplexed, Part 3 (Arabic: دلالة الحائرين Dalālat al-ḥā'irīn דלאלת אלחאירין; Hebrew: מורה נבוכים Moreh Nevuchim) by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon the Sephardi (משה ברבי מימון הספרדי) who is commonly known as Maimonides and also referred to by the acronym Rambam (רמב״ם). The Guide was written in Judeo-Arabic using the Hebrew alphabet in the form of a three-part letter to the Rambam's student, Rabbi Joseph ben Judah of Ceuta. Maimonides says, "To give a full explanation of the mystic passages of the Bible is contrary to the Law and to reason; besides, my knowledge of them is based on reasoning, not on divine inspiration. I have not received my belief in this respect from any teacher, but it has been formed by what I learnt from Scripture and the utterances of our Sages, and by the philosophical principles which I have adopted. ... I ask you to study attentively the chapters which follow on this sublime, important, and grand subject, which is the pin upon which everything hangs, and the pillar upon which everything rests." Translated by Michael Friedländer who was principal of Jews' College. Cover: The Serpent Beguiled Me by cartoonist Robin Bougie. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia and the text)
Chapters
1
Introduction & I. The "Four Faces" are Human Faces with four different peculiarities Read by Geoffrey Edwards 8:49
2
II. The Ḥayyot and the Ofannim Read by Geoffrey Edwards 19:01
3
III. Further Explanation of the Ḥayyot and the Ofannim derived from Ezek. x. Read by Geoffrey Edwards 5:47
4
IV. The rendering of Ofan by Gilgal in the Targum of Jonathan Read by Geoffrey Edwards 7:01
5
V. The Vision of Ezekiel is divided into three stages: (1) Ḥayyot (=the Spheres); (2) Ofannim (=Earthly elements); and (3) the man above the Ḥayyot (=Intelligences) Read by Geoffrey Edwards 6:45
6
VI. On the Difference between the Vision of Ezekiel and that of Isaiah (vi.) Read by Geoffrey Edwards 4:00
7
VII. The Different Ways in which the Prophet perceived the Three Parts of the Mercabah (Chariot) Read by Geoffrey Edwards 11:48
8
VIII Man has the Power to Control his Bodily Wants and Earthly Desires Read by Geoffrey Edwards 23:41
9
IX. The Material Element in Man Prevents him from Attaining Perfection Read by Geoffrey Edwards 4:30
10
X. God is not the Creator of Evil Read by Geoffrey Edwards 9:52
11
XI. Man is the Cause of his own Misfortunes Read by Geoffrey Edwards 3:02
12
XII. Three Kinds of Evil : (1) That caused by the Nature of Man ; (2) Caused by Man to Man ; (3) Caused by Man to himself Read by Geoffrey Edwards 23:38
13
XIII. The Universe has No other Purpose than its own Existence Read by Geoffrey Edwards 28:35
14
XIV. It is the Will of the Creator that the Spheres regulate the Affairs of Mankind Read by Geoffrey Edwards 9:04
15
XV. Impossible Things are not ascribed to the Creator, but it is difficult to Prove the Impossibility in each Individual Case Read by Geoffrey Edwards 5:18
16
XVI. On God's Omniscience Read by Geoffrey Edwards 9:02
17
XVII. Five Theories concerning Providence Read by Geoffrey Edwards 35:16
18
XVIII. Every Individual Member of Mankind enjoys the Influence of Divine Providence in proportion to his Intellectual Perfection Read by Geoffrey Edwards 8:10
19
XIX. It is an ancient Error to Assume that God takes no Notice of Man Read by Geoffrey Edwards 12:13
20
XX. God's Knowledge is Different from Man's Knowledge Read by Geoffrey Edwards 11:53
21
XXI. The Creator's knowledge of His Production is Perfect Read by Geoffrey Edwards 5:38
22
XXII. Object of the Book of Job, and Explanation of the First Two Chapters Read by Geoffrey Edwards 18:56
23
XXIII. Job and his Friends Discuss the various Theories concerning Providence Read by Geoffrey Edwards 26:31
24
XXIV. On Trials and Temptations Read by Geoffrey Edwards 18:55
25
XXV. The Actions of God are Not Purposeless Read by Geoffrey Edwards 14:25
26
XXVI. The Divine Precepts Serve a certain Purpose Read by Geoffrey Edwards 13:16
27
XXVII. The Object of the Divine Precepts is to Secure the Well-being of Man's Soul and Body Read by Geoffrey Edwards 7:34
28
XXVIII. This Object is easily seen in some Precepts, whilst in others it is only known after due Reflection Read by Geoffrey Edwards 6:46
29
XXIX. On the Sabeans or Star-worshippers Read by Geoffrey Edwards 28:08
30
XXX. It is one of the Objects of the Law of Moses to Oppose Idolatry Read by Geoffrey Edwards 5:51
31
XXXI. The Law Promotes the Well-being of Man by teaching Truth, Morality and Social Conduct Read by Geoffrey Edwards 4:43
32
XXXII. Why did God give Laws to Oppose Idolatry instead of Uprooting it directly? Read by Geoffrey Edwards 29:01
33
XXXIII. Another chief Object of the Law is to Train Man in Mastering his Appetites and Desires Read by Geoffrey Edwards 9:28
34
XXXIV. The Law is based on the ordinary condition of man Read by Geoffrey Edwards 4:28
35
XXXV. Division of the Precepts into Fourteen Classes Read by Geoffrey Edwards 12:40
36
XXXVI. First Class of Precepts, to Know, Love and Fear God Read by Geoffrey Edwards 6:36
37
XXXVII. Second Class, Laws concerning Idolatry Read by Geoffrey Edwards 37:40
38
XXXVIII. Third Class, Moral Precepts Read by Geoffrey Edwards 1:37
39
XXXIX. Fourth Class, Laws relating to Charity Read by Geoffrey Edwards 18:00
40
XL. Fifth Class, Compensation for Injury and the Duty of Preventing Sin Read by Geoffrey Edwards 12:05
41
XLI. Sixth Class, Punishment of the Sinner Read by Geoffrey Edwards 42:05
42
XLII. Seventh Class, Equity and Honesty Read by Geoffrey Edwards 8:39
43
XLIII. Eighth Class, Sabbath and Festivals Read by Geoffrey Edwards 15:28
44
XLIV. Ninth Class, Prayer, Tefillin, Ẓiẓit and Mezuzah Read by Geoffrey Edwards 1:52
45
XLV. Tenth Class, The Temple, its Vessels and its Ministers Read by Geoffrey Edwards 22:07
46
XLVI. Eleventh Class, Sacrifices Read by Geoffrey Edwards 45:05
47
XLVII. Twelfth Class, Distinction between Clean and Unclean; and on Purification Read by Geoffrey Edwards 22:34
48
XLVIII. Thirteenth Class, Dietary Laws Read by Geoffrey Edwards 13:35
49
XLIX. Fourteenth Class, Marriage Laws Read by Geoffrey Edwards 45:13
50
L. On Scriptural Passages with seemingly Purposeless Contents Read by Geoffrey Edwards 19:38
51
LI. How God is worshipped by a Perfect Man Read by Geoffrey Edwards 45:19
52
LII. On the Fear of God Read by Geoffrey Edwards 7:43
53
LIII. Explanation of Ḥesed (Love), Mishpat (Judgment), and Ẓedaḳah (Righteousness) Read by Geoffrey Edwards 6:58
54
LIV. On True Wisdom Read by Geoffrey Edwards 25:14
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens archive.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
