Contents

Preface Ix

Introduction: Bal).ya's Work in Its Judeo-Arabic Context 1

1. Philosophical Mysticism in Eleventh-Century Spain:

Bal).ya and Ibn Gabirol 21

2. On the Lookout: The Exegesis of a Sufi Tale 35

3. Creation 51

4. The One 66

5. Speaking about God: Divine Attributes,

Biblical Language, and Biblical Exegesis 96

6. The Contemplation of Creation (I'tibar) 117

7. Wholehearted Devotion (Ikhlii!f): Purification of Unity

(Ikhlii!f al-TawlJ,zd), Purification of Intention in Action
(Ikhlii!f al- 'A mal) 146

8. Reason, Law, and the Way of the Spirit 177

9. The Spirituality of the Law 196

10. Awareness, Love, and Reverence

(Muriiqaba, MalJ,abba, Hayba!Yir'ah) 219
viii Contents

List of Abbreviations 243

Notes 245

Bibliography 323

Index 345

Acknowledgments 361