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MAIMONIDES' CONFRONTATION WITH MYSTICISM

By Menachem Marc Kellner

Book Description

In the landscape of Jewish thought, few figures loom as large as Maimonides, yet his true revolutionary impact has often been misunderstood. This scholarly exploration reveals how one of history's greatest religious thinkers fundamentally challenged the mystical worldview that dominated his era.

Menachem Marc Kellner presents Maimonides not merely as a systematic theologian, but as a bold reformer who sought to transform Judaism itself. The book illuminates how Maimonides encountered a religious culture steeped in what Kellner terms "proto-kabbalistic" thinking—a worldview that saw the universe as enchanted and governed by hidden, mystical forces. Rather than accepting this mystical framework, Maimonides deliberately set out to create something entirely different.

Through careful analysis, Kellner demonstrates how Maimonides crafted a "disenchanted" Judaism that was simultaneously elitist and universalist, challenging believers to engage with their faith through reason rather than mystical experience. The author reveals the profound tensions this created, showing how Maimonides' rational approach ultimately sparked a kabbalistic counter-movement that would reshape Jewish spirituality.

This work offers readers a deeper understanding of how religious traditions evolve through the tension between mystical and rational approaches. For those interested in the intersection of philosophy and spirituality, it provides valuable insights into how transformative religious thinkers navigate between preserving tradition and pursuing radical reform.