Customer Reviews

Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dr. Israel Drazin's "Maimonides: the Exceptional Mind" is a well-written and informative work that provides a clear understanding of and penetrating insights into the thinking of Maimonides.

The book offers a well-organized addition to and clarification of informal sessions that Dr. Drazin presented to a group of us a few years ago.

The organization of chapters in the form of . . . .

-- introduction with what is to be presented

-- questions to focus the discussion

-- detailed, but readily understood explanations

-- summary with reiteration of and emphasis on the principal topic

. . . . makes for a very readable and understandable text.

I personally learned much that neither my father (of blessed memory) nor my teachers ever taught.

I was especially startled to learn about the so-called demonic, superstitious, and non-Jewish origins of such Jewish traditions as:

-- blowing of the 'shofar' and the 'tashlich' service of Rosh
Hashanah, the Jewish New Year

-- the Passover verses following the welcoming of Elijah:
'Pour Your wrath upon the nations that do do not recognize
you. . . .' , that recitation having never seemed
appropriate for that occasion

-- monthly 'Sanctification of the Moon'

Numerous comparisons with other biblical scholars serve to contrast the philosophy of Maimonides with that of other prominent Jewish thinkers and philosophers.

Finally, as Dr. Drazin explains, Maimonides' emphasis on the importance of the development of the mind, by study of '... Torah, science, and traditional thought ...' and avoidance of the irrational remains an important message to this day.

Two minor criticisms, possibly for a 2nd printing:

-- bottom page 287 appears to have part of question 5. missing

-- in addition to the detailed references and additional reading at
the end of the book, a list of terms with corresponding page
numbers would be helpful


Dr. Jack Cohen, Boynton Beach, FL

FINALLY AN AUTHOR THAT WRITES SO ALL CAN UNDERSTAND.WRITING ON THE RAMBAM
IS NO EASY TASK.HE WAS COMPLEX & NOT EASILY UNDERSTOOD.DR DRAZIN MAKES
US WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RAMBAM.DR DRAZIN HAS DEFINATELY BECOME
THE FOREMOST AUTHORITY ON THE RAMBAM.
DENNIS SOLOMON

Dr. Israel Drazin, a man with an eclectic knowledge of Judaism and the law has created an impressive collection of short observations sourounding Maimonides and the question of Jewish rationalism. The primary aim of this book is not so much a biography of Maimonides or his mind but of his thoughts and his disputes with those Jewish thinkers who advocate non-rational things, such as angels and demons. This book is not so much just a discussion of the works of the great mind of Maimonides but is in fact a long discussion of those thoughts and how they square through the ages with other Jewish thinkers such as Joseph Karo, Rashi, Philo, Nachmonides and Spinoza. In constructing this excellent work Dr. Drazin has thus provided a wonderful introduction to Jewish literacy, giving the reader a greater literacy in the history of Jewish thought.

The book is organized primarily as a series of short discussions, beginning with important questions such as `who was Maimonides' and `Are Jews superior to other Jews'. But it then digresses into more obscure issues such as "The non-Jewish, indeed anti-Jewish, Origin of Kapparot" and "Is the notion of the Shekhinah rational?"

The main aim of the book is to present a forceful argument for Jewish rationality, for the rejection of angels and demons and hocus pocus and mysticism. But in making this argument the author must rely partly on the brilliance of Maimonides and also on the arguments of others such as "scholars" and their "proofs that the Zohar is a forgery."

The book assembles an impressive amount of information but leaves the reader begging for more. For instance Gersonides' Wars of the Lord is mentioned but not elaborated on, as are the works of Spinoza. Gnosticism is mentioend but then left aside. The book includes some surprising and apparently incorrect information such as the claim that "there are only three recorded incidents of government sponsored anti-Jewish persecution [in the Muslim world.]" Is the author kidding? This reviewer can think of three examples just in Aretz Israel: The pogrom of the Safed Jews and the burning of the Hurva synagouge in Jerusalem and the restrictions on Jews in Hebron. This doesn't mention numerous incidents, perseuctions, pogroms and riots throughout the ages against Jews in the Muslim World. What the author means is `large' persecutions, but the original claim neither provides source for this highly problematic claim nor provides an explanation. The book claims that since the "average IQ has been increasing" that this therefore "confirmed Maimonides impressive perceptive thinking." But does it? Maimonides rejected the idea of the `decline of generations.' But IQ is a modern concept, not exactly something that can be measured against the great sages of the past.

In the end, despite a number of small flaws of logic and claims, this is an excellent book that many readers will find informative and enlightening if only because it touches on such a wide variety of subjects and shows a great diversity of understanding of the history of Jewish thought. The focus on rationality is a welcome one in a world obsessed with Kabballah, the anti-thesis of Maimonides' ideas.

Israel Drazin's book provides an overview of numerous Judaic subjects as they relate to Moses Maimonides, best known to most as the Twelfth Century author of "Guide of the Perplexed". Despite its title it is not a biography. The first of forty-three chapters, "Who Was Maimonides" is only seven pages. Since I am Jewish but not particularly religious I hoped it was merely a biography but nonetheless found it a rewarding read.

Each of the very short chapters opens with an introduction and questions to be answered within, and ends with a summary. This provides a conversational and logical tone. There are four parts, "Maimonides Views", "Similarities between ibn Ezra, Saadiah Gaon, ibn Caspi, Spinoza and Maimonides", "Maimonides on Devils and Other Superstitions", and "Mysticism and Divination: Beliefs Rebuffed by Maimonides".

What I found most interesting was the comparison of religion to philosophy, the origins and explanations of various prayers and rituals, such as sacrifices in general, and those related to Passover in particular, and the idea that Maimonides concealed his true teachings so that his writings would be more palatable to a broad audience. I was also intrigued by the information on Spinoza, Kabbalah, Satan, and the Messiah, being subjects I knew a little more about.

One of the books drawbacks is that it does not have an index. For example, although the chapter titles are descriptive it would be difficult to find the references to Gnosticism. In my opinion another drawback is the large portion at the end of the book which discusses what Maimonides did not believe and therefore only has minimal references to him. It does however have a substantial list of References and Additional Reading.

I recommend this book for those with an existing knowledge of Judaism and a curiosity about its history and rationalistic principles.

Maimonides: The Exceptional MindIn his latest work, Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind, Israel Drazin has provided us with an important transition from his last volume, A Rational Approach To Judaism. The author describes, in clear and lucid language, the contribution of the greatest Jewish rationalist philosopher, Moses Maimonides,to current Jewish thought and understanding.
This is not a book for the intellectually faint of heart. It is unconventional and extraordinarily thought-provoking. To learn about this now-venerated sage and philosopher from the pen of an author who had devoted his life to searching for truth , is to embark on a new and exciting journey from which it is impossible to return to an unexamined view of Judaism. We should be grateful to Israel Drazin for helping to pry open our "unexceptional minds."
Dr. Renee G. Rabinowitz, Jerusalem

Professor Drazin, Rabbi and former Chaplain (Brigadier General, US Army, retired), has written a guide to the great Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1138--1204 CE) whose own Guide of the Perplexed (also titled Guide for the Perplexed) sorted out the rational from the mystical religious issues of Judaism.

Maimonides, The Exceptional Mind comprises 41 chapters arranged in four parts: (1) Maimonides' own views; (2) similarities in the thoughts of others and those of Maimonides; (3) Maimonides' views on devils and other superstitions, and (4) mysticism and divination beliefs rebuffed by Maimonides.

Chapter titles, by themselves, reveal the didactic method Professor Drazin has chosen to approach the complexities of his subject, for example: Is the Bible the source of philosophy? (Chapter 2); Are Jews superior to non-Jews? (Chap 4); and, Is there a concept of ethics in the Bible (chap 7). Each chapter opens with a set of questions, each answered with reference to texts of Maimonides and others, and ends with a summary paragraph. This textbook approach is useful for readers unfamiliar with Judaism's Bible or Tanakh (Torah, Nevim, Kesuvim) and Targum, Talmud (Mishnah), Midrash, and other Rabbinic literature.

For this reader, part 2, is most enlightening. Professor Drazin introduces his readers to several other important Jewish thinkers: Philo (ca. 20 BCE--50 CE), Saadiah Gaon (892--942), Abraham ibn Ezra (1089--1164), Joseph ibn Caspi (1297--1340), and Baruch Spinoza (1632--1677). The thrust of rationalism in Judaism derives from these scholars who saw their religion through the prism of Greek thought especially the writings of Aristotle (384--322 BCE) which were re-introduced to the Christian medieval world through the great Islamic scholars Avicenna (980--1037) and Averroes (1126--1198).

In sum, Professor Drazin explores the depths of Jewish intellectual history and religious practices from the rationalist base of their most profound interpreter Maimonides. This is a book that demands close reading and one that will lead one to other books, especially the subject's Guide of the Perplexed.

For the ever curious reader, I recommend perusal of Israel Drazin's Amazon `dot' com reviews which look at a wonderful assortment of scholarly writings on Judaism, military history (including a recent book on General David Petraeus), and crime fiction by authors such as Harlan Coben, Jonathan Kellerman, and Robert Parker.

Israel Drazin presents his readers with a very, even remarkable, refreshing look at Maimonides' view of Judaism that the readers can extrapolate to all religions. He emphasizes Maimonides' teaching that people should understand their religion and its practices in a rational manner, based on what they are able to experience with their senses, by reason or experience. I recommend this book very highly for people who want to be prompted to think.

Vivien Auerbach

Israel Drazin, rabbi, attorney, brigadier general and Aramaic scholar, has written an essential book for the intellectually curious Jew. We are all somewhere on the spectrum between non-rational and totally rational, between pure faith in the Word and faith only in the power of our own mind. As one trained in the physical sciences, who arrived late at my commitment to Orthodox Judaism, I am particularly sensitive to the dichotomy between these two positions. It is a joy to read such clear discussion of many questions I have had.

One can only marvel at Drazin's command of sources. It is expected that he would be knowledgeable about the Torah, the Mishna and the Talmud. But in his book, we also learn about The Alphabet of Ben Sira, The Emanation of the Left Side, and other ancient texts that illuminate the many pathways that Judaism has taken in its 3,500 year history. I find it fascinating to read about Jewish demons (why we need amulets), Lilith, a devil woman almost as powerful as God himself, and other forms of superstition deprecated by Maimonides. It is reassuring that we have risen above these pagan ideas - or have we? Did you throw tashlik, bread crumbs, into the water last Rosh Hashana? Was it to placate the demons? When you compliment your neighbor's child, do you say, "kein ein harrah" - may the Evil Eye not harm him? Through these revelations, we learn that Judaism is a system of thought and beliefs that grows and changes with time.

As Dr. Drazin says, this is the very purpose for which God granted humans the intelligence to study and evaluate different ideas. Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind is an excellent place to start.

Just as the one star in my review overstates (by more than one) the number of stars this book is worth, so would calling it a work of little worth and little scholarship exaggerate its worth and scholarship.

Essentially, this book is a soap box for the author's iconoclastic view of Judaism, which is of a "religion" without faith (or respect for it), without nuance, without tradition (or respect for it), without thoughtful thinking, without fear of G-d (or respect for it), without appreciation for other points of view, without humility, and without intelligent argument backed by even a modicum of scholarship (neither academic nor Rabbinic).

Instead, there is rhetoric, rhetoric, and more rhetoric, with nothing to back it up -- other than the author's arrogant insistence that he, and he alone, knows what "authentic" Judaism is all about.

Hint: "Authentic" means "rational." In and of itself, that might be a perfectly legitimate position, were it not for the author's utterly dogmatic and intellectually dishonest approach.

Anything that fails the author's iconoclastic view of "rational" (simple faith, for instance) is not "Authentic" and therefore foolish, primitive, and worthless.

If Maimonides were alive today and would see what Drazin is saying in Maimonides' name, he would probably faint.

My advice, Mr. Drazin: Continue to fund as many self-aggrandizing books as you wish, but keep Maimonides' name out of it. For that matter, do us all a favor and call it "Drazinism," rather than "Judaism," so no one gets the wrong idea.



Added on 1/29/09:
Having seen the review posted by a reader in Boynton Beach, I thought I would link to a review posted on the Yediah.blogspot, which is dedicated to exploring Rambam's thought. The review there specifically addresses a couple of the things that the Boynton Beach reviewer says he "learned" from Drazin's book.

[...]

Here is how it begins:

My Last Words On An Unexceptional Book, To Say The Least , About An Exceptional Mind.

I slogged through about half of Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin's book. I have to say that it only gets worse. He has a very simplistic understanding of whatever he reads and though he claims to be a Maimonidean, he is far from it. My original idea that we can use him to clarify subjects has not panned out because some of his ideas are presented so superficially that it is hard to even begin addressing them. I also can say (tongue in cheek) that Drazin's theology is so distant from Jewish theology that the rule of not engaging in interfaith dialog may apply here!