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 marginalia in a Sephardic hand throughout

Vinograd, Venice 335; Haberman, Bomberg 214; not in Adams. See: M. Waxman, Vol. I pp.330-2

A FUNDAMENTAL TEXT OF JEWISH THOUGHT. In composing this work Bachiah attempted to systemize the ethical teachings of Judaism. “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 ha’lev) - 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.” (Introduction). Thus Bachiah undertook to write ”The Duties of the Heart.”