Thirteen Principles of Faith [Hardcover]

Noson Gurary (Author), Natan Gurary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1977 | ISBN-10: 1568215320 | ISBN-13: 978-1568215327

An explication of Maimonides' principles in light of chasidic teachings.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A knowledgable proponent of the Lubavitch movement, a Chasidic sect that embodies many of the mystical aspects of Judaism, Gurary has written an extensive interpretation of Judaism. He uses the framework of Maimonides's famed "thirteen principles" to attach basic Lubavitch concepts; though Maimonides, the 13th-century philosopher, considered himself a rationalist and would undoubtedly be amused by Gurary's efforts. Gurary correctly distinguishes between normative Judaism and Chasidism and prefaces many statements with "Chasidus explains..." This distinction is particularly important when he addresses controversial areas such as the doctrine of reincarnation or the concept that there is a difference between a Jewish and a non-Jewish soul. Extensively footnoted, most frequently with citations from the Tanya, the classic Lubavitch text, this well-written presentation of Lubavitch ideology is recommended for Jewish studies collections.
Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson (July 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568215320
• ISBN-13: 978-1568215327
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,150,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rambam in Chabad terms, January 26, 2005

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thirteen Principles of Faith (Hardcover)

This book provides a Chasidic largely Habad reading of Rambam's thirteen principles of faith. Gurary teaches that the Jew has before birth prior knowledge of God, and that the belief in God is therefore inherent in every Jewish soul. As he understands it all Torah is a manifestation of God, and the learning of the thirteen principles of faith is what he calls ' experiential'and not simply abstract reasoning. Each of the chapters is a meditation on one of the thirteen principles. There is too a chapter on Faith itself, Faith and Experience, Faith and Reason, Faith and Self- Sacrifice, Faith and Life et. al.
The last principle is Resurrection of the Dead and I would like to quote Gurary's closing words in the hope that they may be of some help and inspiration to anyone who reads this.
"Perhaps the reason that Maimonedes final principle is about the resurrection of the dead is in accordance with the maxim" that the beginning is wedged in theend, and the end in the beginning'.
Rightin the beginning we explained that belief in God comes from God Himself, that God Himself is revealed to the soul We conclude with the idea that the relationship of God to the Jewish person as a whole,comprising both soul and body , will ultimately be revealed in the era of the resurrection of the dead. Thus we see that the Essence of God is connected in every way to the life of the Jew in this world.As explained by Chasidus, the final principle emphasizes that this intrinsic connection is everlasting and will ultimately be revealed forever. In this sense, there is no end. The final principle explains how there is no end.'
This work was compiled and edited by Moshe Miller.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to Lubavitch ideology., June 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Thirteen Principles of Faith (Hardcover)

Library Journal: A knowlegeable proponet of the Lubavitch movement, a Chasidic sect that embodies many of the mystical aspects of Judaism, Gurary has written an extensive interpretation of Judaism. He uses framework of Maimonides's famed 13 principles to attach basic Lubavitch concepts. He correctly distinguishes between normative Judaism and Chasidim and prefaces many statements with "Chasidus explains..." this distiction is particularly important when he addresses controversal areas such as the doctrine of reincarnation orthe concept of the differences between a Jewish and non-Jewish soul. Well sritten, highly recommended