Main >> A pocket edition of the Book of Science (Sefer Hamada)
The Book of Knowledge is the first of the 14 books of the Mishne Torah (Yad ha-Hazaka), in which the Rambam expertly explains the principles of Jewish faith.
| New! A pocket edition of the Book of Know;edge (Sefer Hamada) – the exact edition with annotations and vowel diacritics. A version for every pocket!
Size: 14 x 9.5 cm. (the size of Mishnayot Kahati), just 1cm. thick.
320 pages.
Beautifully designed soft cover.
The book includes:
The Rambam’s Introduction – why is this work needed, and what is his vision for the work? What are the 613 mitzvot? What is the purpose of each of the 14 books?
The Laws of the Essentials of the Torah – what are the fundamentals of faith? What is esoteric wisdom, the “Pardes”? How does one learn to love God? How does one sanctify God’s name? When must one be willing to accept martyrdom? Who is a true prophet? Must a prophet perform miracles?
The Laws of Proper Attitudes – How should one behave in life? How does one keep a healthy body? What is the difference between gossip (leshon ha-ra) and slander (motzi shem ra)? What is revenge and what is a grudge?
The Laws of Torah Study – Who is exempt from Torah study? How should an educational setting be structured? What cannot be compromised? What is the proper way to learn? What respect should be afforded to scholars? What is the practice of excommunication?
The Laws of Idolatry – how did idolatry develop? What is the difference between heresy and lechery? What is the difference between an incited (mesit) and one who leads others astray (medi’ach)? Is an Estranged City (Ir ha-Nidachat) suffer collective punishment? What is the proper attitude toward superstition?
The Laws of Repentance – What are the components of repentance? Who are the heretics? Unbelievers? Informers? Apostates? How are they to be treated? What is the afterlife? What is the messianic era? What is the punishment of kareit? How does one serve God out of love? What are considered alterior motives?
For writing this book, the Rambam was accused of improperly revealing the secrets of the Torah and even of being a heretic, in one of the greatest Jewish controversies ever. This book was banned and even burnt by fellow Jews!
Over time, the controversy abated, and the book was recognized as a classic of Jewish faith. Today, this work serves a major role in any discussion of the Jewish faith.
List of editors and contributors (all on a volunteer basis):
Editor in Chief and Explanations: Yohai Makbili
Vocalization and Associate Editor: Dr. Yehiel Kara, the Academy for the Hebrew Language
Associate Editors and Consultants: Hillel Gershuni, Dvir Tal, and Ophir Shabin, Yeshivat Torat Hayim
Consultant in the identification of flora: Dr. Zohar Amar, Bar Ilan University
Jacket design: Hila Biran
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Click to enlarge | Samples:
| Two pages from the Introduction to the Mishne Torah. . The concise list of the mitzvot. Note the special markings for those who follow the curriculum of daily Rambam study of either one chapter or three chapters. The source for every verse is listed. Explanations are based on what the Rambam himself wrote elsewhere in the Mishne Torah. |
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| Five pages from the Laws of Idolatry and Gentile Practices. In the printed editions, this section is called “The Laws of the Worship of Stars and Constellations” due to the Christian censor). Note the chapter subtitles, the division into subtopics, the high quality of vocalization, and the elucidation based on the Rambam’s other works. Note also the Rambam’s original divisions within the chapters (each original halakha begins a new paragraph; the numbering follows the printed editions. Thus, for example, 2:1 is, in reality, two separate laws, and not just one, as it appears in the printed editions. |
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