Series
Dedicate a Shiur in the Moreh Nevuchim series
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7 shiurim in this series
Why did the Rambam organize all mitzvos into 14 categories in Moreh Nevuchim? Each category serves specific societal functions, from establishing fundamental beliefs to preventing social breakdown. The shiur demonstrates this through the 'mi shepara' curse, showing how even verbal agreements require enforcement because society depends on absolute trustworthiness to function.
Why does the Rambam place Bris Milah in Sefer Ahavah alongside tefillah and Keriat Shema? The shiur develops the principle that milah teaches us to channel the yetzer hara rather than destroy it. True ahavah means giving our whole selves - including our drives and desires - to Hashem's service.
Why do we pray to God when He already knows our needs? Prayer serves two functions: reminding us that Hashem is the source of all blessing, and activating our role as God's appointed managers of the world. The Rambam's discussion of Torah reading customs reveals that later generations can modify Moshe's enactments when he acted as king (not prophet), reflecting Jewish responsibility for national destiny.
Why does the Rambam say Bris Milah reduces physical desire rather than creating a test to overcome? The Rambam's approach transforms the nature of intimacy itself - removing orlah eliminates self-focused gratification and creates the capacity to empower others. This explains why Jewish marriage is fundamentally about partnership and building eternity, not mere compatibility or control.
Why does cursing receive malkut while physical striking only requires monetary compensation? The Rambam reveals that klalah is not mere insult but spiritual striking with real power to harm a person's essence. Unlike physical blows that can be blocked, curses penetrate directly to one's kishkes and invoke divine power against the target.
Why does eating chametz on Pesach carry the severe punishment of karet, equivalent to denying fundamental Torah principles? Yitziat Mitzrayim wasn't liberation but transfer of ownership from Pharaoh to Hashem - we left 'b'chipazon' as dragged property, not celebrated freedom. Matzah represents this continued servitude under a caring Master, establishing that we have no inherent rights and everything is Hashem's gift.
Why does the Rambam say Bris Milah reduces physical pleasure—isn't that too superficial for such a profound covenant? The shiur develops a yesod that shleimus hanefesh must precede the bris; Avrohom couldn't perform it on himself because only Hashem can declare when someone has achieved that completeness. The actual function of Milah is to ensure the body doesn't overpower the pre-existing spiritual perfection.
