My reading today involves Maimonides, a 12th-century Jewish theologian, philosopher, rabbi, and physician. Maimonides’ full name was Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon

These are some excerpts and my understanding of Maimonides’ philosophy:

1. Faith must be based on reason, and reason should have some base in faith.]

2. Reason is the only way to make sense of the faith; otherwise, it becomes superstition.

3. The beginning of wisdom is wonder, the wonder of inquiry and reason.

4. True religion and true wisdom require inquiry and reason.

5. “Only a select few, those who pursue truest wisdom grounded in philosophy and science, will reach the room where the king, God, resides. People guided by faith alone, who accept scripture literally and unquestioningly, and believe that faith transcends reason, on the other hand, have their backs turned toward the king’s palace.”