BAHJA IBN PAQUEDA (PAQUDA)

BAHJA IBN PAQUEDA (PAQUDA). - Spanish Jewish religious philosopher, also called Bechaie and Bechai. Little is known of his life (11th century). He left a treatise on morality written around 1050 in Arabic (text published by Yahuda, Leiden 1912), which in its Hebrew translation bears the title Hôbhôth hal-lêbhâbhôth («The Duties of the Hearts»). It enjoyed wide diffusion and was translated or abridged into various languages (partial Italian translation by B. Consolo, 1867). More hortatory than theoretical, the work is replete with biblical-Talmudic motifs and shows the influence of Neoplatonism. In the introduction, the «duties of the heart» are defined as opposed to the duties of the limbs, which are fulfilled through bodily organs. Right moral conscience is the essence of religious piety, which consists in inner devotion to God. Prayer is understood as a contemplative aspiration: «Our purpose in praying is that the soul, turning to God, should be consumed before Him, sinking into lowliness while rising to the Creator to bring Him glory and gratitude and cast into Him all that burdens it.»