Chovos Halvavos explains how Rabbeinu Bachya finally decided to write his sefer — and why he deliberately chose simplicity over sophisticated rhetoric and debate. Rather than impress his readers with complicated arguments, he wanted to make the duties of the heart accessible through clear explanations, common sense, and practical examples.
We also discover how he organized his sefer into ten Shaarim, and why he draws not only on Tanach and Chazal, but also on the wisdom of other nations. And what makes the first Shaar so different from the rest of Chovos Halvavos?