Rabbi Marc D. Angel, PhD, is founder and director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals (www.jewishideas.org). Rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel of New York City, he is author and editor of twenty-nine books, including Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism; Foundations of Sephardic Spirituality: The Inner Life of Jews of the Ottoman Empire (both finalists for the National Jewish Book Award); The Rhythms of Jewish Living: A Sephardic Expoloration of Judaism's Spirituality (all Jewish Lights); and Maimonides--Essential Teachings on Jewish Faith and Ethics: The Book of Knowledge and the Thirteen Principles of Faith--Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Paths).