Torah in the Observatory: Gersonides, Maimonides, Song of SongsRabbi Levi ben Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides; 1288-1344), one of medieval Judaism's most original thinkers, wrote about such diverse subjects as astronomy, mathematics, Bible commentary, philosophical theology, "technical" philosophy, logic, Halakhah, and even satire. In his view, however, all these subjects were united as part of the Torah. Influenced profoundly by Maimonides, Gersonides nevertheless exercised greater rigor than Maimonides in interpreting the Torah in light of contemporary science, was more conservative in his understanding of the nature of the Torah's commandments, and was more optimistic about the possibility of wide-spread philosophical enlightenment. Gersonides was a witness to several crucial historical events, such as the expulsion of French Jewry of 1306 and the "Babylonian Captivity" of the Papacy. Collaborating with prelates in his studies of astronomy and mathematics, he had an entree into the Papal court at Avignon. Kellner portrays Gersonides, revered among Jews as the author of a classic commentary on the latter books of the Bible, as a true renaissance man, whose view of Torah is vastly wider and more open than that held by many of those who treasure his memory. |
Common terms and phrases
Abravanel according achieve acquired intellect Active Intellect actually apprehend Arama argument Aristotelian Aristotle astronomy attributes Averroes biblical cause of miracles chapter cited claim commentary on Song concerning discussion divine emanation evil existence fact faculty Feldman felicity Freudenthal Genesis Gerson Gersonides Gersonides explains Gersonides says God's knowledge Guide halakhic Hebrew ideas imagination imitatio dei important individuals intellectual perfection interpretation Introduction Israel issue Jews Kellner laws Maimonidean Maimonides Maimonides and Gersonides material intellect mathematics matter meaning medieval Jewish Messiah metaphysics midrashic Milhamot Mishneh Torah Mosaic prophecy Moses ibn Tibbon nature passage Perplexed philosophical physics position possible problem prophet providence question Rabbi reason reference rejects resurrection Sages Samuel ibn Tibbon scientific sense separate intellects Solomon Song of Songs sonides soul sublunar world supercommentary Talmud teachings theory things tion Torah Touati translation truth understanding verse volitional creation Wars women writes