Bahya ibn Paquda

He was the author of the first Jewish system of ethics, Guidance to the Duties of the Heart, written around 1080. It was translated into Hebrew by Judah ben Saul ibn Tibbon in the years 1161-80 under the title The Duties of the Heart. Little is known of his life except that he bore the title of dayan "judge" at the beth din. Bahya was thoroughly familiar with Jewish rabbinic literature and philosophical and scientific Arabic, Greek, and Roman literature, frequently quoting from the works of non-Jewish moral philosophers in his work. In the introduction to Duties of the Heart, Bahya says that he wished to fill a great need in Jewish literature; he felt that neither the rabbis of the Talmud nor subsequent rabbis adequately brought all the ethical teachings of Judaism into a coherent system. Bahya felt that many Jews paid attention only to the outward observance of halakha, "the duties to be performed by the parts of the body" ("Hovot HaEvarim"), without regard to the inner ideas and sentiments that should be embodied in the Jewish way of life, "the duties of the heart" ("Hovot HaLev"). He also felt that many disregarded all duties incumbent upon them, whether outward observances or inner moral obligations. In his view, most people acted according to selfish, worldly motives. Bahya, therefore, felt compelled to attempt to present the Jewish faith as a great spiritual truth founded on reason, revelation (especially regarding the Torah), and Jewish tradition. He stressed the willingness and the joyful readiness of the God-loving heart to perform life's duties. He wrote, "It is impossible to think that the nations would recognize us as being wise and understanding if we were not to provide infallible proofs and explanations for the truths of the Torah and our faith." Many Jewish writers familiar with his work consider him an original thinker of high rank. According to The Jewish Encyclopedia: Duties of the Heart became a popular book among the Jews worldwide, and parts of it were once recited for devotional purposes during the days before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Ibn Paquda's works inspired and shaped many later Jewish writers, including Berechiah ha-Nakdan in his encyclopedic philosophical work Sefer HaHibbur, "The Book of Compilation."

He often followed the method of the anonymously-authored "Encyclopedia of the Brethren of Purity" (Rasā'il Ikhwān al-Ṣafā). Bahya, inclined to contemplative mysticism and asceticism, eliminated from his system every element that he felt might obscure monotheism or interfere with halakha. He wanted to present a religious system that was at once lofty and pure and in full accord with reason.