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Home Categories English Jewish Thought & Philosophy Science, Wisdom & Philosophy of The Middle Ages: Gate of Heaven - Sefer Sha'ar HaShamayim

Science, Wisdom & Philosophy of The Middle Ages: Gate of Heaven - Sefer Sha'ar HaShamayim

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I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven. I said I will be wise, but (wisdom) was far from me. It is hidden before my eyes and vanished (from them). But a few books of the wise philosophers were in my hands, such as have been translated from their into our (i.e. the Hebrew) language. I dipped into them and eagerly read these long and scattered treatises and studied their books. And (what I have read there) I have systematically and precisely condensed by my pen into one volume. I have also received much information from the mouth of the sages of our people and of those of the world, which I have added in its proper place. And (I have collected) this wisdom which is deeper and broader than the sea; which deals with most important and weighty (questions); and which (wisdom) is hidden from the eyes of most of our sages.
The reader should not believe me to be impudent, boasting, or conceited, or that I glory in talking about matters of which I have no knowledge. I would like him to give me the proper appreciation due to me for my diligence and my efforts in condensing these things to the best of my ability. When (Aristotle), the greatest of the philosophers, began his studies and his researches in (his) perfect way delving into the deep problems, he apologized to his readers, asking them to believe in his diligence and sincerity, in representing the things (and their solutions) as truly as man can do. And I, Gershon the son of Shlomoh, peace be upon him, have written this book and called it "Gate of the Heaven", and have divided it into three parts.
The first part (deals) with the wisdom of nature in the order of the existence, beginning with that of the four elements; the vapours (clouds) and their different types; the metals and their kinds; the species of plants; the nature of the dumb animals; and finally the nature of man, who is the highest being (of creation).
The second part describes the wisdom of astronomy. Most of the text is from al-Ferjani, and a little I have borrowed from the books of the Almagest and from other books. There are appended many quotations of Ibn Sina, from the book of Ibn Rushd and from ''De Coclo et Mundo".
The third part (discusses) the wisdom of God. Here I have written nothing of my own, but have followed the appreciated book* of the "Illuminator of the Diasporah", Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (which deals with) the problems of God. The entire text follows (carefully) his words, as I feared that I might make mistakes and mar the (original) meaning, if I tried to write it in my own words. There is appended another treatise of the sage Ibn Rushd on the wisdom of God.
May God help me and may He guide me to success in this book which (has no pretentions to be) anything else but the Temple of God. And this is the Gate of Heaven.