Zohar Harakia

Shimon Duran

Published by Academic Studies Press 2012

Zohar Harakia

Shimon Duran
Translated by: Philip J. Caplan

In the series Judaism and Jewish Life

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781618111104

Overview
Contents

About this book

Rabbi Shimon ben Zemach Duran (1361-1444) was a colorful rabbinic authority in Algiers. In his book, Zohar Harakia, on methods of enumerating the 613 commandments, he summarizes the work of previous authorities on this subject, especially Maimonides and Nachmanides. He also presents his own system of enumeration. Thus, his work is a compact introduction to this fundamental subject. The text, first printed in 1515, is written clearly and arranged as a commentary on ibn Gabirol’s poetic version of the 613 commandments, which is chanted on Shavuot. This English translation and notes make it accessible to lay readers as well as students of Jewish law, liturgy, and medieval Jewish history.

Author / Editor information

Philip J. Caplan (MS Wayne State University) has worked as a research physicist and is the author of The Puzzle of the 613 Commandments and Why Bother (Jason Aronson, 1996).

Reviews

Book News, Inc.:
This translation is dominated by a laudable concern for accuracy. . . . Readers whose interest is in technical scholarship will be grateful.

- Raymond P. Scheindlin, Professor of Medieval Hebrew Literature, Jewish Theological Seminary of America:
"Philip Caplan's translation of Zohar Harakia by Shimon ben Zemach Duran is a learned and faithful rendition of an important Jewish religious classic. The work consists of a commentary by a major medieval rabbi on a major liturgical poem by the great Solomon ibn Gabirol dealing with the 613 commandments. Mr. Caplan's translation will be studied and appreciated by anyone who is interested in medieval Jewish halakha, poetry, and liturgy."

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	1
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	5
Translator’s Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	6
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
Zohar HaRakia: General Principles Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	12
The Positive Commandments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	65
The Negative Commandments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	221
Appendix to the Zohar HaRakia Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	421
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	439
Translator’s Afterword Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	442
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	445

Language: English
Publisher: Academic Studies Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 465

eBook

Published: September 1, 2012
ISBN: 9781618111104