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Guide for the Perplexed

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Guide for the Perplexed

By: Moses Maimonides
Narrated by: Andrea Giordani
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The Guide for the Perplexed (Hebrew: Moreh Nevukhim) is one of the greatest philosophical works of all time. A classic of great historical importance, it remains a work of living significance today.

The Guide for the Perplexed is one of the three major works of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1135/8 - 1204), also known as Maimonides or the Rambam.

Written for those who were bewildered by the conflict between religion and scientific and philosophic ideas, The Guide for the Perplexed is concerned with finding a concord between the text of the Old Testament and its commentaries, and Aristotelian philosophy. After analyzing the ideas of the Old Testament, Maimonides examines other reconciliations of religion and philosophy like the Moslem rationalists and then offers his own resolution with Aristotelianism.

The Guide was immediately recognized as a masterpiece, and is essential for any proper understanding of the work of scholastics like Aquinas and Scotus. The Guide is indispensable for everyone interested in the Middle Ages, Judaism, medieval philosophy, or the larger problems which Maimonides addresses.

Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks Classics Eastern Philosophy Spirituality Metaphysical Middle East
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Guide for the Perplexed, written by the medieval Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides in the late 12th century, is a towering work of religious philosophy that seeks to reconcile faith with reason. Originally composed in Arabic under the title Dalālat al-ḥā’irīn, it was later translated into Hebrew and other languages, gaining a wide audience across religious traditions. The book is framed as a letter to a student grappling with the apparent contradictions between biblical scripture and the rational inquiry of Aristotelian philosophy. Its central aim is to guide those “perplexed” by these tensions toward a deeper, more coherent understanding of God.

When it comes to understanding God, Guide for the Perplexed is both profound and challenging. Maimonides doesn’t offer a simple, devotional portrait of the divine. Instead, he dives into a rigorous intellectual exploration, emphasizing God’s absolute transcendence and unknowability. He argues that human language and concepts fall short of capturing God’s true nature, advocating for a “negative theology”—where we define God more by what He is not (e.g., not corporeal, not limited) than by what He is. This approach can be incredibly enlightening for readers seeking a philosophically grounded perspective, but it might feel abstract or unsatisfying to those craving a more personal or emotional connection to the divine.

The book shines in its methodical dismantling of anthropomorphic interpretations of scripture. Maimonides insists that descriptions of God “speaking” or “walking” in the Torah are metaphorical, meant to accommodate human understanding rather than reflect literal truths. His exegesis is meticulous, drawing on Jewish tradition, Greek philosophy, and Islamic thought (particularly influences like Al-Farabi and Avicenna). For someone wrestling with how to square a rational worldview with religious texts, this is where the Guide excels—it provides a framework that respects both scripture and logic.

That said, it’s not an easy read. Maimonides wrote for an educated elite, assuming familiarity with biblical texts, Talmudic scholarship, and Aristotelian metaphysics. Modern readers without that background might find it dense or esoteric, especially in sections dissecting prophecy or divine attributes. The layered structure—where he sometimes veils his true meaning to avoid unsettling less sophisticated believers—can also make it feel elusive. You’re forced to peel back the layers, which is rewarding if you’re patient but frustrating if you’re not.

On understanding God, I’d rate it highly for its intellectual depth and originality—let’s say an 8.5 out of 10. It’s not a devotional work that brings you closer to God through feeling or worship, but it’s unmatched in clarifying the limits of human comprehension and pushing you to think critically about the divine. Its strength lies in its ability to provoke awe through reason rather than mysticism. If you’re a seeker who enjoys wrestling with big ideas and doesn’t mind a slow, deliberate pace, it’s a classic worth your time. Just don’t expect it to hand you simple answers—it’s more about teaching you how to ask better questions.

A Guide for us all.

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I was told to approach this book like a very very long poem and it truly paid off - the author gives insights as to how the language of Hebraic law would have been perceived when it was written, over a thousand years ago. And posits over and over the idea that god can only be truly known by years and years of study - but occasionally there are glimpses at what you can experience of god in your life, especially where the author describes what is meant on several levels by various Hebrew words used in the Pentatuech. I am happy to feel accomplished by making it to the end! 30 hours! The narrator pronounces the word “Israelites” in such a charming way, among other little poetic listening details.., not for the casual reader, I agree, - but I could never have made it through the written version of this on my own. And I own a copy!

can’t believe I found this on an audiobook

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I very much enjoyed this audiobook, often following along with a hardcopy. The narration is good for the most part. An elegant high English accent lends a softer but no-nonsense voice to the material. However...there is a consistent and unignorable mispronunciation of the words Israelites to "IsrealITIES" as well as Levites to "LevITIES". As you can suppose these words occur with much regularity. This could have been easily corrected and it should have been.

Errors Need Revision

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The Narration pales in comparison with the content, through no fault of the intrepid and knowledgeable reader however I am glad to see this work read in an accessable and approachable method. As pleasurable as it can be to read such a work on paper, the thoughts can be easier to digest and to ponder when you hear them in a voice other than your own. It's a work that rewards rereading, and a fresh format like this for a timelessly compelling bit of writing; that readers should have a firmly established background of study before they approach this work doesn't diminish appreciation of this work; it amplifies it!

A Treasury; Reverentially Recited

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Not for the casual reader. But if you want to understand God from a Jewish perspective, this is the ticket. The narrator speaks the Queen's English. Combine that with some older language styling and it can be a tough listen at times, but well worth the investment of your time.

Great read, tough narration.

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Poor quality robotic voice with a bad accent. can't understand this. Make sure you preview this before purchasing.

Can't understand robotic voice

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an empty book, literally, from chapter 30 (out of 150) until yhe end, it's just silence

80% silence (literally)

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The narrator constantly pronounces words incorrectly, makes grammatical mistakes, and is very difficult to hear and understand.

Bad narration

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