Questions tagged [rambam]
The Rambam, or Maimonides, was a famous 12th century Rabbi, philosopher, and physician. He wrote the Mishneh Torah and the Moreh Nevuchim (Guide to the Perplexed).
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Where Can One Buy a Griz (Brisker Rav) on the Rambam?
Does anyone know if the Griz al Harambam is available anywhere nowadays?
Thank you so much for any and all help.
I have tried ordering from many online and in-person seforim stores but to no avail.
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Did Rambam reflect on non-Jewish sources that shaped his views?
Many commentators and researchers point to the great influence that the Greek, Christian, and Islamic thinkers had on Rambam's theological, philosophical and scientific views, for example, in Hilchos ...
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Rambam's 9th principle - "the Torah will not change/be changed", sources and interpretations
Did Rambam himself elaborate on:
His sources for this principle? Did he derive it from somewhere or it was his own thought?
The principle itself, what it covers, what kind of changes he's talking ...
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Learning to read Mishneh Torah
I have taken a number of classes covering Hebrew grammar and basic vocabulary and my proficiency level is basic but sufficient to navigate the Siddur, and with a dictionary (looking up many words) I ...
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Ambiguity in the Rambam: What Types of בָּא Are Covered by the Term?
This is a follow-up to my previous two questions:
Within the following excerpt, does the term בָּא (which occurs thrice: twice with one meaning, and once with another), include all possible types of ...
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Does halacha permit wife-beating? [duplicate]
Some have claimed that Maimonides wrote that it is ok to beat your wife. They point to this verse here. Does the halacha "allow" wife-beating and does the Rambam really permits this?
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Ambiguity in the Rambam: Does בְּזָדוֹן Imply Mutual Consent?
This is a follow-up to my previous question:
In the following excerpt, does the term בְּזָדוֹן imply mutual consent, or simply a unilateral decision on the part of one of the two people involved, ...
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Destruction of the World: Parshas Noach vs. the Rambam
In Parshas Noach, it is written:
וַֽהֲקִֽמֹתִ֤י אֶת־בְּרִיתִי֙ אִתְּכֶ֔ם וְלֹֽא־יִכָּרֵ֧ת כָּל־בָּשָׂ֛ר
ע֖וֹד מִמֵּ֣י הַמַּבּ֑וּל וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה ע֛וֹד מַבּ֖וּל לְשַׁחֵ֥ת
הָאָֽרֶץ:
And I will ...
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Source for the boundaries of Egypt
The Rambam codified the triplicate biblical injunction not to dwell permanently in the Land of Egypt as follows:
וּמֻתָּר לִשְׁכֹּן בְּכָל הָעוֹלָם חוּץ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם. מִן הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל וְעַד ...
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Ambiguity in the Rambam: Who Is Pursuing Whom?
The following has already been translated, but upon closer examination, something seems amiss:
אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית ... כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית בְּזָדוֹן הֲרֵי זוֹ נֶהֱרֶגֶת ...
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Ramban’s interpretation of the expression "leshem zenut" in Mishneh Torah-Hilchot Ishut 1: 4
We read in
Mishneh Torah-Hilchot Ishut 1:4
“Before the Torah was given, when a man would meet a woman in the
marketplace, and he and she desired, he could give her payment, engage
in relations with ...
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Was Moses really angry or pretending?
The Rambam said in his Mishneh Torah that it's sometimes useful to act angry:
If one desires to instill reverence in his children and his household, or in public if he is the head of a community, and ...
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Why does Rambam list mitzvot before listing mitzvot?
In the Rambam's introduction to Mishneh Torah or just thereafter (depending where you consider the introduction to end) he lists his count of the 613 mitzvot twice. First he lists all the positive ...
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What's the practical difference between Mitzva Diorisas that Are listed as one of the 613; And those Not listed as one of the 613? [duplicate]
What's the (general) practical Difference between one of the 613 Mitzvahs ,counted by the Monay Hamotzvos,whether its an Asay or Lo-Tasay and an (Asay or Lo-Tasay) that isn't part of the 613 Mitzvahs?
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How can I understand the concept of Uncorporeality [closed]
Speaking of Corporality, one can describe it as a shape and as a consistence or a density.
Rambam 3rd article of principles states: "The belief in G‑d's non-corporeality, nor that He will be ...
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Why can't Jews return to Egypt using the same path the ancient Israelites took?
The Torah prohibits returning to Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16, Sefer HaMitzvos Lo Sa'aseh § 46). The Sefer HaChinuch § 500 explains the reason for the prohibition is because the Egyptians are bad people, ...
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Source for R' Shimshon of Sens's views on Rambam
While reading the wiki bio of R' Shimshon of Sens, a few statement there caught my eye.
The Rash sided with the opponents of the Rambam in their disputes.
condemned Rambams' rationalistic views on ...
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Who predicted the tenth red heifer will be prepared by the Messiah?
The Rambam stated that the tenth red heifer will be prepared by the Messiah:
וְהָעֲשִׂירִית יַעֲשֶׂה הַמֶּלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ מְהֵרָה יִגָּלֶה אָמֵן כֵּן יְהִי רָצוֹן: [Mishneh Torah, Parah Adumah 3:4]
...
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What is perek 4 in Rambam's Hilchos De'os doing there?
I'm certainly no expert, but most of perek 4 in Hilchos De'os seems like it doesn't fit with the rest of Hilchos De'os. It's all about maintaining a healthy body. Any ha'aros on why it's there? Am I ...
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How did the Rambam break his own rule of predicting the time of Moshiach's arrival in the Epistle of Yemen?
In the Mishneh Torah the Rambam states
Some of the Sages say that Elijah will come before the coming of the Messiah. But regarding all these matters and similar, no one knows how it will be until it ...
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Rav Kapach on Rambam's view on the identification of Keneh bosem
As a follow up to this question, there seem to be two contradictory conclusions on what Rambam holds to be the keneh bosem.
First it is said that (Rav Kapach's notes to) Rambam's commentary in the ...
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A listing according to Rambam's four categories of mitzvos
The Rambam in Shoresh 9 of Sefer HaMitzvos says that there are four categories of mitzvos:
דע שכל צוויי התורה ואזהרותיה הנה הם בארבעה דברים. בדעות ובפעולות ובמדות ובדבור
Deos (Beliefs, Attitudes, ...
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How do we utilize the Rambam as a halachic authority while simultaneously shun some of his beliefs?
At the outset of this question I would like to make it clear that I'm not taking sides on whether we should or should not believe the Rambam's (or others) statements. I am talking about contemporary ...
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According to the 8th of Rambam's Principles of faith is Rashi (God Forbid) a heretic?
Towards the end of the 8th of the Rambam's 13 principles of faith the Rambam states regarding the divine origins of the Torah
Similarly its interpretation as it has been handed down is also “from ...
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Why can one get paid for teaching written law but not oral law?
In his Sefer Ha-mada (Book of Knowledge, Talmud Torah 1:7), the Rambam says:
Where it is customary to charge a fee for teaching the written Torah, it is permissible to charge a fee for such ...
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Non-Jews and Torah
According to Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars chapter 10 paragraph 9:
A non-Jew who busied himself with Torah is liable with his life112 From Heaven, because others will see him perform Mitzvohs and ...
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Looking for a quote by Maimonides that expresses how God is beyond us
Does anyone know of a quote by Maimonides (Rambam) that expresses how God is way beyond us and how we are so distant from God?
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Why no Oral Law in Rambam's 13 principles of faith?
The Rambam laid down 13 principles of faith (ikkarim) in his commentary on Sanhedrin 10:
God exists and created everything,
God is One,
God has no body,
God is eternal,
God alone should be worshiped,
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The Rambam says that Baruch, the son of Nerijah was not a navi but the Gemara seems to imply the opposite, how is that possible?
The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim says "That those who have prepared themselves may still be prevented from being prophets, may be inferred from the history of Baruch, the son of Nerijah; for he followed ...
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On the halachic level, what are the requirements for a Gentiles couple to be considered married?
My question may seem bizarre, since in our age marriage is a juridical institution widely regulated in every nation, with the presence of witnesses and a precise registration in public registers; ...
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How many times must a prophet be tested?
Rambam in his Introduction to his Commentary on the Mishna writes:
"...And when the one prophesying is fit for prophecy, according to that which is appropriate, we say to him, "Prove [yourself] to ...
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Rav Kook's interpretation of the "wise Gentiles" in Mishneh Torah-Hilchot Melachim 8:11
I am an Italian Noahide
As it is known, in Hilchot Melachim 8:11 Rambam states:
“Anyone (Gentile) who accepts upon himself the fulfillment of these seven mitzvot and is precise in their ...
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Who were the Sabians?
In the Guide, Maimonides talks about the religion of the Sabians (first idolators). He tells us that he has spent much time learning about the Sabian religion (he was sort of an anthropologist). After ...
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Who are the "extraordinary individuals"?
Reading the Guide actually changed my question:
In part 3, chapter 34 of the Guide, the Rambam makes an interesting claim. He says that the Torah does not have a positive effect on everyone who ...
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Contradiction in Maimonides?
Maimonides felt that G-d is transcendent, that G-d has no body and is one, though we cannot attribute any description to G-d. At best, we can say what G-d is not. Thus it is impossible to describe G-d ...
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How are we supposed to understand Rambam's Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh 4:10?
In Mishneh Torah, Rotzeach uShmirat Nefesh 4:10, there is a halacha which is clearly (and thankfully) not practiced, at least as it relates to the surface reading of the halacha:
הָאֶפִּיקוֹרְסִים ...
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Commentaries on Moreh Nevuchim
I have heard that there are many commentaries on Moreh Nevuchim. However, all editions that I have seen in person contain just the text, sometimes with editorial footnotes. Can anyone provide:
1) A ...
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Why does Ramban claim that Rambam does not prohibit the pilegesh for a commoner?
We read in Teshuvot haRashba Meyuchas LehaRamban No. 284:
(….) “And also in regard to the words of the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe ben
Maimon), of Blessed Memory, they are not intended to forbid the
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Did the designation of an amah ivriyah by her master require the consent of the woman or not?
I’am an Italian noahide.
Rambam states in his Sefer Hamitzvot (English translation by Rabbi Berel Bell):
“The 233rd mitzvah is that a person is commanded to marry his amah
ivriyah. Either her ...
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HaGra about Rambam's position concerning the status of pilagshim taken by Jewish commoners
I am an Italian noahide.
My question expresses a purely intellectual curiosity, concerning the Jews and not the Gentiles.
As we know Rambam states in Hilchot Melachim 4: 4:
“A commoner is ...
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What is the basis in the Torah permitting a king to kill someone?
Rambam in the laws of kings 3:10 states
כל ההורג נפשות שלא בראיה ברורה. או בלא התראה. אפלו בעד אחד. או שונא שהרג בשגגה. יש למלך רשות להרגו ולתקן העולם כפי מה שהשעה צריכה. והורג רבים ביום אחד ותולה ...
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Resources for learning the shorshei mitzvos of the Rambam
The Rambam lays down 14 principles, which he terms shorshei mitzvos, to determine which mitzvos are part of the 613. Besides the commentaries in the standard Mishne Torah, are there any other books ...
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10 types of angels
In Hilchot Yesodei Hatorah 2:7 Rambam says:
שִׁנּוּי שְׁמוֹת הַמַּלְאָכִים עַל שֵׁם מַעֲלָתָם הוּא. וּלְפִיכָךְ נִקְרָאִים חַיּוֹת הַקֹּדֶשׁ וְהֵם לְמַעְלָה מִן הַכּל וְאוֹפַנִּים וְאֶרְאֶלִּים ...
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Rambam and Chazal
In his letter to Chachmei Luniel, Rambam says that the belief in astrology was a minority view in chazal and we should not follow it.
...it is not proper to abandon matters of reason that have ...
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Who exactly is the "kedesha" according to Rambam's interpretation?
I am an Italian noahide.
My question expresses a purely intellectual curiosity, concerning the Jews and not the Gentiles.
I cannot understand what is the exact definition of "kedesha" by Rambam , as ...
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Why are "Remember and don't forget Amalek" two separate commandments?
Why did the Rambam list these as two distinct commandments:
P189- Remember what Amalek did to the Israelites. [Deut. 25:17]
N59- Don't forget what Amalek did to the Israelites. [Deut. 25:19]
Aren't ...
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multiple wives decrease onah of each
In Rambam, Hilchot Ishut, Chapter 14:1, he outlines a husband's obligations of onah (conjugal rights) to each wife based on his profession. So a sailor every 6 months, an in-town laborer twice per ...
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Are there any contradictions between the Rambam's Mishneh Torah and his Moreh Nevuchim?
The Rambam wrote the Mishneh Torah before he wrote the Moreh Nevuchim. This led me to wonder if he changed his mind on certain topics that might be reflected by an apparent contradiction between the ...
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When does Maimonides inform readers of his tactics?
Some rabbis insist that Rambam writes that he will contradict himself on several occasions in the Guide. If so, where exactly in the introduction to the Guide does Maimonides say that he will ...
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The limits of "Do not covet"
The Rambam writes [Hilchot Gezelah v’Avedah 1:9]:
Anyone who covets a male or female servant, or the house or the goods of his neighbor, or anything that he can buy from him, and he exerts friendly ...
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