Rishonim
Akeidat Yitzchak
15th-century philosophical commentary on the Torah based on sermons the author delivered to his congregation.
Derashot HaRan
14th-century compilation of 12 discourses elucidating the fundamentals of Judaism alongside explanations of the Torah.
Duties of the Heart
11th-century treatise that details ten principles of spiritual life, focusing on obligations performed with the heart, like repentance.
Duties of the Heart
11th-century treatise that details 10 principles of spiritual life, focusing on obligations performed with the heart, like repentance.
Eight Chapters
Maimonides’ 12th-century philosophical introduction to Pirkei Avot, analyzing the soul, human purpose, and free will.
Guide for the Perplexed
Maimonides’ 12th-century philosophical masterwork, written as a letter to his student demonstrating the compatibility of Judaism and philosophy.
HaEmunot veHaDeot
10th-century treatise of Rav Saadia Gaon providing rational proof for traditional beliefs.
Kuzari
12th-century philosophical and apologetic dialogue between a rabbi and a pagan king about the truth and superiority of Judaism
Ma'amar al Yishmael
13th-century polemical work of the Rashba refuting an Islamic scholar who had attacked Judaism.
Minchat Kenaot
14th-century collection of correspondence about a campaign against the study of rationalist philosophy like the works of Maimonides.
Ohr Hashem
15th-century work of Rabbi Chasdai Crescas defining the principles of faith and criticizing attempts to harmonize Aristotelian rationalism with Jewish theology.
Sefer HaIkkarim
15th-century work detailing three principles of faith: God’s existence, the Torah’s divine origin, and divine reward and punishment.
The Wars of the Lord
14th-century work by the rationalist Ralbag on the basic tenets of faith, modeled after the Guide of the Perplexed.
Treatise on Logic
Maimonides’ 12th-century brief introduction to Aristotelian logic, written in Arabic in his early years.
Yesod Mora VeSod HaTorah
12th-century treatise of the Ibn Ezra with philosophical explanations of biblical commandments.