Book Series Studies on the Faculty of Arts. History and Influence, vol. 5

Teaching and Studying Philosophy in Jewish Culture during the Middle Ages

Colette Sirat

  • Pages: approx. 150 p.
  • Size:127 x 203 mm
  • Illustrations:1 col.
  • Language(s):English
  • Publication Year:2025


Pre-order*
  • € 55,00 EXCL. VAT RETAIL PRICE
  • ISBN: 978-2-503-61491-5
  • Paperback
  • Forthcoming (Mar/25)

Forthcoming
  • € 55,00 EXCL. VAT RETAIL PRICE


This book presents the first overview of the teaching of philosophy in medieval Jewish culture

BIO

Colette Sirat taught Medieval Hebrew Philosophy for many years at the École Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris and in Ber Sheva. She was also the director of the Hebrew Section of the Institut de Recherche et d’Histoire des Textes. She is the author, contributor and editor of a range of publications concerning philosophy and manuscript culture, in such series as Bibliologia and Monumenta Palaeographica Medii Aevi.

Summary

This book offers the first survey of philosophical pedagogy in Jewish culture during the Middle Ages, with a focus on Northern France, the Provence, Italy and Spain. By examining not only the discourse of renowned philosophers such as Maimonides and Gersonides, but also oft-neglected manuscript evidence of educational practices and students’ notes, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the medieval Jewish intellectual landscape and shows how Jewish educators brought intricate debates on metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology into the classroom. The book also sheds light on the broader societal and cultural contexts that influenced these philosophical pursuits.

An essential read for anyone interested in the history of philosophy, Jewish studies, or medieval intellectual culture, this book celebrates the enduring legacy of Jewish philosophical thought and its pivotal role in shaping the intellectual currents of the Middle Ages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Chapter 1. The Twelfth Century  
Chapter 2. The Thirteenth Century 
Chapter 3. Encyclopaedic Learning in the Thirteenth Century
Chapter 4. The Fourteenth Century in Provence and Spain  
Chapter 5. The Fifteenth Century  
Example 1. London, British Library, Add. 14763 (1242) 
Example 2. Paris, BnF Hebr. 956 (middle of the 14th cent.)
Example 3. Paris, BnF Hebr. 1005 (middle of the 14th cent.) 
Example 4. Modena, Bibl. Estense III, 4 (Middle of the 15th c.)
Bibliography