This shiur analyzes the first of Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith - belief in God's existence. The speaker explores a fundamental philosophical paradox: how can we be commanded to believe in God when such belief must precede our ability to accept any commandment? The lecture examines two approaches to emunah (אמונה) (faith): Rambam (רמב"ם)'s view that belief means recognizing God as creator and that we are created beings (removing ourselves from the center of the universe), versus Ramban (רמב"ן)'s position that belief must also include accepting our role as God's servants. The discussion includes analysis of Abraham's recognition of monotheism, the meaning of 'Anochi Hashem (ה׳) Elokecha asher hotzeiticha mi'eretz mitzrayim' (I am the Lord your God who took you out of Egypt), and why emunah is considered a constant mitzvah (מצוה) rather than a one-time obligation. The speaker concludes that the mitzvah of emunah is not merely intellectual knowledge but making God's existence part of our active consciousness and daily reality.
An in-depth exploration of Maimonides' thirteenth principle of faith - the resurrection of the dead - examining why belief in bodily resurrection is essential to Jewish faith and practice rather than merely philosophical speculation about the afterlife.
Rabbi Zweig explores why belief in Mashiach is a fundamental principle of Judaism and what it truly means to anticipate his coming - not as personal salvation, but as the establishment of a world that reflects divine truth and justice.
Rambam's Thirteen Principles of Faith, First Principle; Pirush HaMishnayot Sanhedrin
Sign in to access full transcripts
