Chovoth Ha’levavoth [ethics and pietism]. Translated into Hebrew by Judah ibn Tibbon

BACHIAH BEN JOSEPH IBN PAQUDA

Daniel Bomberg

Venice

1548

Second edition. Scholarly corrections and scattered marginalia in Ashkenazic and Sephardic hands. Wide margins

Vinograd, Venice 335; Haberman, Bomberg 214

In composing this fundamental text of Jewish thought, Bachiah attempted to systematize the ethical teachings of Judaism. He writes in his introduction: “The Torah is divided into two parts: the duties to be performed by the organs (chovoth ha'evarim) and the duties of the heart (chovoth halev) - namely those belonging to human conscience. The majority of the rabbis pay attention only to the outward observance of the Law, without regard to the ideas and sentiments embodied in the 613 laws of Moses. Even the pious are often prompted only by selfish and worldly motives.” Thus Bachiah undertook to write ”The Duties of the Heart.” See: M. Waxman, Vol. I pp. 330-2