Torah in the Observatory

Rabbi Levi ben Gershom (Ralbag Gersonides; 1288-1344) one of medieval Judaism's most original thinkers wrote about such diverse subjects as astronomy mathematics Bible commentary philosophical theology technical philosophy logic Halakhah and even satire. In his view however all these subjects were united as part of the Torah. Influenced profoundly by Maimonides Gersonides nevertheless exercised greater rigor than Maimonides in interpreting the Torah in light of contemporary science was more conservative in his understanding of the nature of the Torah's commandments and was more optimistic about the possibility of wide-spread philosophical enlightenment. Gersonides was a witness to several crucial historical events such as the expulsion of French Jewry of 1306 and the Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy. Collaborating with prelates in his studies of astronomy and mathematics he had an entree into the Papal court at Avignon. Kellner portrays Gersonides revered among Jews as the author of a classic commentary on the latter books of the Bible as a true renaissance man whose view of Torah is vastly wider and more open than that held by many of those who treasure his memory.