Bahya ibn Paquda

Bahya Ben Joseph ibn Paquda (some spell Pakuda), also known under the denomination of Rabbenou Bechaye (" our Bahya" Master;), was a Rabbin and philosopher Spanish Juif of first half of the 11th century.

Life and work

One has on him much less biographical elements than of memories of his work. It is known that it was Dayan (judge of a rabbinical court). Its writings reveal us scholar such a versed in the rabbinical Littérature traditional as in sciences and Arab , Greek and Roman philosophy of which it quotes of many moralists in his works.

Its large-work, the first Jewish system of ethical, appeared in 1040 in Arab language under the title of Al Hidayah ila Faraid Al-Qulub , Guide of the Duties of the Heart , translated into Hebrew by Juda ibn Tibbon, about 1161-1180, under the title of Hovot ha-Levavot , the Devoirs of the Heart .

In its introduction to the Duties of the Heart , Bahya ibn Pakuda explains to want to fill a need in the literature, this one not having been treated until there, neither by the rabbanim of the Talmud, nor by their successors: the compilation of the lesson ethical Jews in a coherent system.

According to him, much of Jews gave attention only to the aspects " extérieurs" observance of the Jewish laws, which it calls " duties to be achieved by the parts of the body " ( Hovot ha-evarim ), without too much consideration for their deep sense , ideas and feelings which it is necessary to convey in order to really conform to these regulations: they are the famous " there; Duties of the Heart " (" Hovot ha-lev"). Levavot , plural of levav , itself stressing of lev can be translated by all the parts of the hearts .

This reflection will inspire with Nahmanide its comment on the first verse of the Genesis:

Rabbi Itzhak said: " one would not have had to begin otherwise the Torah (delivers regulations) than by this is for you first month etc " , (which is the first regulation received by Israel as people). As for the account of creation, an allusion would have sufficed for those which () are worried (only) regulations: " Because in six days created God the skies, the ground, and all that there trouve". Consequently, why begin with there? To teach us that the remuneration, rewards or punishment, rests on ethics and morals, and that these regulations have a direction.

It is as on the basis of this as the mystical concept of kavana develops, intention to put (in its prayer, its blessings, its gestures…).

Bahya ibn Paquda also had the feeling that many people missed simply with all the duties which to them were prescribed, practical " extérieures" like moral obligations " intérieures" : they lived only for egoistic reasons and material goals. It was necessary for him thus to try to present the faith Juive as being primarily a great spiritual, founded truth on the reason , the revelation (particularly with regard to the Torah) and the Tradition .
Il stressed the will and the joy which the heart of a person loving was to put truly God to achieve the duties of the life.

Its success

Many Juifs writers familiar of work regard its author as an original thinker of high ranking. It is enough to read the praises of very serious Encyclopedia Judaica:

Bahya combines with masterliness one great depth emotional, a long-lived poetic imagination, a capacity of eloquence and a powerful eloquence with a penetrating intellect; it was thus very indicated to write a work of which the goal was not to dispute or defend the doctrines of the Judaism, but to call with the feelings, to wake up and raise the hearts of people.

The Hovot ha-Levavot became very popular among the Jews of the whole world, and certain passages are recited with Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New year).
André Chouraqui wrote a translation and comment of the Devoirs of the Heart , which is also a nice success in France.

Its philosophy

Although frequently quoting Saadia Gaon, Bahya ibn Paquda is not affiliated at the school of the Motazilites, but like its junior, Solomon ibn Gabirol (1021-1070), with the mysticisant current of the Néoplatonisme. One recognizes in his method the influence of the known Moslem encyclopedists under the name of " Brothers of Pureté".

Inclined with asceticism and contemplative mysticism, Bahya ibn Paquda eliminated however from its system any element which could make shade with the monotheism or interfere with the law Juive. He wanted to present a pure and éthéré system religious, but in perfect agreement with the reason, which explains its success compared to the other writings with philosophical tendency (MORE NEVOUCHIM of the RAMBAM at the head, which, if it had to be pointed out, was strongly disputed) it is the fact that all its philosophy is based only on the ethical improvement of the man, and not on the ultimate truth. Its success is always of topicality, it counts more than three comment as well as a translation in modern Hebrew. One does not know large thing about him but it seems that he suffered in his life as he tells it in the little stories of the " pieux" (it is obviously about him but he is habit to tell it in the name of third a person to avoid praising itself), to also see in the chapter of " love of DIEU" or he tells that his suffering prevented it from sleeping the night, he was used as a basis for many book like " RESHIT HOCKMA" (work kabbalistic and ethical of rav ELIAHOU DI VIDASH, as well as the " MADREGAT HAAADAM" rav YOSSEF YOZEL HOROVITS (founder of the movement novardok)

References

Andre Chouraqui: Bahya ibn Paquda: Duties of the hearts, ED.: Bibliophane, 2002, ISBN 2869700709

article of Bahya Ben Joseph ibn Pakuda in jewishencyclopedia.com

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