The Guide for the Perplexed

2017 Reprint of 1952 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. The Guide of the Perplexed is one of the three major works of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, primarily known as "Maimonides." Since many of the philosophical concepts, such as his view of theodicy and the relationship between philosophy and religion, are relevant beyond strictly Jewish theology, it has been the work most commonly associated with Maimonides in the non-Jewish world and it is known to have influenced several major non-Jewish philosophers. Following its publication, many philosophic work produced during the Middle Ages either cited, commented on, or criticized Maimonides' views. Within Judaism, the Guide became widely popular, with many Jewish communities requesting copies of the manuscript, but also quite controversial, with some communities limiting its study or banning it altogether.