Literal vs. Figurative in Torah: Rambam vs. Ra'avad

Full Summary

This shiur explores a fundamental disagreement between two Torah (תורה) giants - Rambam (רמב"ם) (Maimonides) and Ra'avad - regarding the relationship between literal (pshat) and figurative interpretations in Torah text. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the law of a thief breaking into one's home from Parshas Mishpatim, where the Torah states that if someone finds a thief breaking in, he may kill the intruder without liability. However, 'im zarcha hashemesh' (if the sun has risen on him), then he is liable. Rashi (רש"י) explains this figuratively - if it's clear as daylight that the intruder won't kill you (such as a father stealing from his son), then you cannot kill him. The Ra'avad, however, insists on maintaining the literal meaning alongside the figurative - both that daytime thieves cannot be killed AND that those who clearly won't harm you cannot be killed. This disagreement extends to three major areas. First, regarding the Messianic Age: Rambam sees prophetic descriptions of lions dwelling with lambs as purely figurative representations of peace, while Ra'avad argues that if the Torah states wild animals will be destroyed, this must be literally true alongside its deeper meaning about societal harmony. Second, concerning anthropomorphism: Rambam views all physical descriptions of God as purely figurative, making anyone who believes God has a body a non-believer. Ra'avad argues that while God isn't physical, the Torah's use of terms like 'hand' indicates something in the divine realm that corresponds to our physical hand - not mere metaphor but a non-physical reality that parallels physical concepts. Rabbi Zweig explains that these represent two different approaches to the four levels of Torah interpretation (pshat, remez, drash, sod). According to Rambam, these levels exist horizontally - parallel interpretations that may not relate to each other, with the oral tradition providing authoritative meaning independent of literal text. According to Ra'avad, the levels work vertically - each deeper level must ultimately explain and connect back to the literal meaning. The oral tradition doesn't replace pshat but provides deeper understanding of it. The shiur emphasizes that both maintain the oral tradition comes from Sinai, not later rabbinic innovation. The Rambam notes that for nearly a thousand years, there were no arguments among Jewish scholars, indicating the authenticity of received tradition. The fundamental question is whether figurative interpretations can exist independently of literal meanings (Rambam) or must always be grounded in and explain the literal text (Ra'avad). This has profound implications for how we understand Torah authority, interpretation, and the relationship between written and oral law.