A scholar who lived in the twelfth century, Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon, interpreted Jewish texts, and many of his writings were collected into books. Listed in "Book Seven: The Book of Seeds" are the "eight degrees of charity," in descending order, which starts with helping someone find employment, among other things, and ends with a person giving reluctantly or "morosely." Each degree is interesting to ponder and provokes inquiry. In 1995, I inquired of the text what it might mean to us in contemporary times and made a miniature book (under three inches).
I also researched what a twelfth-century book might look like, and used the form and materials as inspiration for the structure. So, I present to you, during this season of thanking and giving, Eight Degrees of Charity by Maimonides, with historical notes and a double-sided puzzle with a quote from Job 14.7 and an original poem from me as seeds for thought.
Eight Degrees of Charity
More book art videos at my channel, never mind.
Some book art available at nevermindtheart on Etsy.
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Thank you.