Q&A: Studying medieval books of faith such as Maimonides and Saadia Gaon
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Studying medieval books of faith such as Maimonides and Saadia Gaon
Question
Is it worthwhile to study books like The Guide for the Perplexed, Selections from Beliefs and Opinions, and the like, or are these dealing with science and philosophy that have become outdated and are no longer relevant today?
Answer
It’s a matter of taste. Most of what’s in those works interests me less and seems less relevant to me.
Discussion on Answer
As I wrote, each person has his own taste. In general, books of Jewish thought just don’t do it for me. If you’re interested, you’ll have to develop your own taste. Start browsing books on philosophy, and if you find it interesting you can focus more on actual philosophy books (primary texts).
Can the Rabbi recommend a philosophical book that leaves an impression?