Rules to Live by - by Jeffrey Katz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"There is a lot in this book that can turn lives around, towards fulfillment and happiness."--The Jewish Press

Born in Spain during the height of the Middle Ages, Maimonides, also known as Rambam, is recognized as one of the greatest scholars of all time. Influential throughout the Middle East, he was both a traditionalist and an innovator - a Rabbi, physician, and philosopher - and his teachings continue to be widely respected today by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.

Jeffrey Katz is recognized as one of the foremost contemporary interpreters of Maimonides' teachings. In RULES TO LIVE BY: Maimonides' Guide to a Wonderful Life, Katz shows today's readers how the strategies and advice of this medieval philosopher stand the test of time and serve as a roadmap to health, wealth, and satisfaction despite the turmoil and uncertainties of modern life.

By following these RULES TO LIVE BY readers can help make themselves physically, psychologically, and morally sound, as stated in the Bible, "And you shall be holy for My sake, for I, God, am holy" (Leviticus 20:26). Using these rules, readers can take cues from above rather than from below, and retain enough of these time-tested values to keep their bodies and our society at its strongest, healthiest, and most honorable.

"Rules to Live By: Maimonides's Guide to a Wonderful Life, divides Rambam's advice into seven categories, covering the key areas of life, including character development, family life, connection with G-D, career, and health. The advice is profound and provides an approach to excelling in each area, while also achieving an overall balance in your life, so you can be fulfilled and happy."--The Jewish Press

Review Quotes

"We all know Rambam has lots of answers. A new book has put much of his practical wisdom for everyday living into one easy reading volume."

--The Jewish Press

"Rules to Live By: Maimonides' Guide to a Wonderful Life is a practical and easy-to-understand roadmap that we should all become familiar with, and try to apply in our own lives."

--The Jewish Press

"In his book, RULES TO LIVE BY, Jeffrey Katz has accomplished something remarkable of which I am sure Socrates and Plato looking down from on high are quite jealous. He has taken the philosophic profundity of Maimonides and his philosophy and extracted from it the wisdom and guidance needed to imbue so many of life's regular activities with practical wisdom, beauty, and holiness. This is a book for the scholar. This is a book for any person who seeks to enrich their daily life experiences. We are in Jeffrey Katz's debt for this delightful contribution that will surely enhance the quality of life of anyone who reads it.

-- Rabbi Yehiel E. Poupko, Rabbinic Scholar at the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the author of Chana: A Life in Prayer

"RULES TO LIVE BY is as useful as Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. It lays out the practical genius of Maimonides in simple terms accessible to everyone. For any problem you may have in life, be it personal or professional, physical or spiritual, there is in this book, category-by-category and page-by-page, game-changing advice that can be put to good use right away. Jeffrey Katz has given us a gift with this masterpiece on the great master himself, Maimonides. Bravo!"

-- Martin Oliner, Board Member of B'nai B'rith, Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, Committee Member of the Jewish Agency, and Co-President of RZA-Mizrachi

"RULES TO LIVE BY is an invaluable guide to how to live a successful, fulfilled and meaningful life in regard to one's work, family, health, and spiritual life. Jeff Katz has created a tour de force in his "dialogue" with Maimonides and in his clear, crisp, and concise commentary upon that most influential thinker's advice. This work's wide scope provides the reader with the profound insights necessary to attain balance and inner contentment through the development of character and through the enlightenment of his or her spirit. I look forward to providing each of my young adult grandchildren with a copy."

-- E. Robert Goodkind, member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Broadcasting Service and Steering Committee of the American Jewish Committee led Jewish Religious Equality Coalition (J-REC) and former President of the American Jewish Committee, and former Chairman of the Boards of the Jewish Museum, the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

"This book achieves a rare feat: it is both inspiring and practical. Drawing on the wisdom of Maimonides, Jeffrey Katz delivers a range of invaluable insights about how to thrive in our personal and professional lives. The result is both eye-opening and heart-warming."

-- David M. Schizer, Dean Emeritus and Harvey R. Miller Professor of Law, Columbia Law School

"RULES TO LIVE BY is a life-coach in your pocket. This book can do for our generation what the I Ching (Chinese Book of Changes) did for the Chinese -- when confronted with any challenge, just open to a page and read, and you will find guidance to a solution to your problem."

-- Edward Miller, Big 4 Accounting Firm Management Consulting Partner Emeritus and Former University Lecturer and Teacher in Philosophy

"THE SECRET LIFE illustrates the powerful techniques that Rambam (aka Maimonides) offers, putting it all together into a formula for living a meaningful, elevated and contented life. Best of all, no background is needed."

-- The Jewish Press

About the Author

JEFFREY KATZ (NEW YORK, NEW YORK) is a lifelong student and teacher of rationalist religious philosophy. He became fascinated in his youth by his

discovery of the ancient wisdom of Maimonides and received rabbinic ordination while focusing on disseminating the ancient, life-changing wisdom he had uncovered. He is a practicing attorney, has appeared on national television and lectured widely on a broad range of issues, and is the author of The Secret Life: A Book of Wisdom from the Great Teacher.

The author lives & works in the New York City metro area.