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Jewish philosophy may be described as the explication of Jewish beliefs and practices by means of general philosophical concepts and moral norms. It must thus be seen in a twofold manner: as an outgrowth of the Biblical-rabbinic tradition on which Judaism rests and as a part of the history of philosophy at large. Whereas the Biblical and rabbinic writings developed within the Jewish community, Jewish philosophy flourished whenever Jewish thinkers participated in the philosophical speculations of an outside culture. And though significant differences, both religious and philosophical, distinguish ancient and medieval from much of modern Jewish thought, the subject matter of Jewish philosophy may generally be divided into three parts. As interpretation of Jewish tradition, Jewish philosophy concentrates on topics such as the election of Israel, the prophecy of Moses, the Law (Torah) and its eternity, and Jewish conceptions of the Messiah and the afterlife. As religious philosophy, it investigates those philosophical notions common to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, such as the existence of God, the divine attributes, creation, prophecy, the human soul, and the principles of human conduct. Finally, as philosophy, it studies notions that are primarily of philosophical interest, such as the structure of logical arguments, the constitution of the world, and the divisions of being.

'''Jewish philosophy''' may be described as the explication of Jewish beliefs and practices by means of general philosophical concepts and moral norms. It must thus be seen in a twofold manner: as an outgrowth of the Biblical-rabbinic tradition on which Judaism rests and as a part of the history of philosophy at large. Whereas the Biblical and rabbinic writings developed within the Jewish community, Jewish philosophy flourished whenever Jewish thinkers participated in the philosophical speculations of an outside culture. And though significant differences, both religious and philosophical, distinguish ancient and medieval from much of modern Jewish thought, the subject matter of Jewish philosophy may generally be divided into three parts. As interpretation of Jewish tradition, Jewish philosophy concentrates on topics such as the election of Israel, the prophecy of Moses, the Law (Torah) and its eternity, and Jewish conceptions of the Messiah and the afterlife. As religious philosophy, it investigates those philosophical notions common to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, such as the existence of God, the divine attributes, creation, prophecy, the human soul, and the principles of human conduct. Finally, as philosophy, it studies notions that are primarily of philosophical interest, such as the structure of logical arguments, the constitution of the world, and the divisions of being.

Chronologically, Jewish philosophy may be divided into three phases: (1) its early development in the Diaspora community of the Hellenistic world, (2) its flourishing in both Islamic and Christian lands in the Middle Ages, and (3) its modern period, which began in the 18th century and has continued to today. The remainder of this article sketches the details of this chronology.

Chronologically, Jewish philosophy may be divided into three phases: (1) its early development in the Diaspora community of the Hellenistic world, (2) its flourishing in both Islamic and Christian lands in the Middle Ages, and (3) its modern period, which began in the 18th century and has continued to today. The remainder of this article sketches the details of this chronology.

== Medieval Jewish philosophy ==

== Medieval Jewish philosophy ==

Early Jewish philosophy was heavily influenced by the philosophy of [[Plato]], [[Aristotle]] and [[Islamic philosophy]]. Many early medieval Jewish philosophers (from the [[8th century]] to end of the [[9th century]]) were especially influenced by the Islamic [[Mutazilite]] philosophers; they denied all limiting attributes of [[God]] and were champions of God's unity and justice.

Early Jewish philosophy was heavily influenced by the philosophy of [[Plato]], [[Aristotle]] and [[Islamic philosophy]]. Many early medieval Jewish philosophers (from the [[8th century]] to end of the [[9th century]]) were especially influenced by the Islamic [[Mutazilite]] philosophers; they denied all limiting attributes of [[God]] and were champions of God's unity and justice.

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [http://radicalacademy.com/adiphiljewishindex.htm Adventures in Philosophy - Jewish Philosophy Index (radicalacademy.com)]

* [https://radicalacademy.com/adiphiljewishindex.htm Adventures in Philosophy - Jewish Philosophy Index (radicalacademy.com)]

* [http://shekel.jct.ac.il/~green/philosophy.html Survey of Jewish Philosophy (jct.ac.il)]

* [https://shekel.jct.ac.il/~green/philosophy.html Survey of Jewish Philosophy (jct.ac.il)]

* [http://www.ditext.com/runes/j.html Jewish Philosophy, The Dictionary of Philosophy (Dagobert D. Runes)]

* [https://www.ditext.com/runes/j.html Jewish Philosophy, The Dictionary of Philosophy (Dagobert D. Runes)]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*[http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/mahshevt/mhshvtis.htm Material by topic, daat.ac.il]

*[https://www.daat.ac.il/daat/mahshevt/mhshvtis.htm Material by topic, daat.ac.il]

*[http://hsf.bgu.ac.il/cjt/files/links.html#philosophy Primary Sources, Ben Gurion University]

*[https://hsf.bgu.ac.il/cjt/files/links.html#philosophy Primary Sources, Ben Gurion University]

*[http://www.halachabrura.org/alephlink.htm Online materials, Halacha Brura Institute]

*[https://www.halachabrura.org/alephlink.htm Online materials, Halacha Brura Institute]

*[http://cms.education.gov.il/EducationCMS/Units/Tochniyot_Limudim/Machshevet_Mmd From the Israeli high-school syllabus, education.gov.il]

*[https://cms.education.gov.il/EducationCMS/Units/Tochniyot_Limudim/Machshevet_Mmd From the Israeli high-school syllabus, education.gov.il]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Jewish Philosophy]]

[[Category: Jewish Philosophy]]