Join us as we study the monumental work of Maimonides, The Guide of the Perplexed. Let Maimonides speak to us in a language that we can understand, about issues that continue to perplex us in the 21st century. Learn how to approach those difficult times when what we believe seems to conflict with what the Holy writings say.
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Join us as we study the monumental work of Maimonides, The Guide of the Perplexed. Let Maimonides speak to us in a language that we can understand, about issues that continue to perplex us in the 21st century. Learn how to approach those difficult times when what we believe seems to conflict with what the Holy writings say.
Rambam explains that God's "names" have no inherent powers, rather they describe concepts about the nature of God. In Chapter 63 Rambam describes the conversation between God and Moses at the burning bush.
Rambam describes in Chapter 61 the meaning of the four letter name of God and how it differs from all other names used to describe God. He also teaches how these names have no inherent magical power to accomplish anything and how it is futile to use them as magical charms. In 62 Rambam discusses the secret 12 and 42 letter names of God and how they were concealed because people were led astray by the idea that God could be described.
Rambam explains why it is so important not to describe God with positive attributions, and how this could inadvertently lead one to polytheism. Only through negative attributions can knowledge of God be achieved.
Rambam describes how there can be differences in understanding of God between people despite the fact that God cannot be described. He then explains why poems and songs written to praise God can actually be more of an insult than a praise.
In Chapter 57 Rambam completes his discussion about how no positive attributes can be used to describe God, not even "oneness". In Chapter 58 he introduces the idea of Negative attributes and how we can describe the nature of God in this way.
Rambam describes why descriptions of God's attributes are a contradiction to pure monotheism. One can only describe His actions as we perceive them, but never attribute any qualities to God Himself.
Rambam describes in chapter 50 the importance of really knowing important concepts, through a process of investigation, not just saying the right words. He then goes on to state in the first part of 51 that the concept of the unity of God should be obvious.
Rambam describes why Onkelos sometimes translates God's "seeing" literally and sometimes metaphorically. We also study what angels are and why they are also described as if they "fly" and have various forms.
We complete Part 1 Chapter 46 with Rambam's explanation of why the Torah and Chazal describe God as if He was acting through human organs and apprehending through human senses. We also study chapter 47 where Rambam explains why the senses of taste and touch are never attributed to God.
Rambam tells us what everyone needs to know, regardless of their intellectual capacity. We also discuss the nature of prayer and how those that question things should be taught the deeper truths.
Rambam teaches us more reasons why not just anyone can truly learn about Godly matters. Many people are too lazy to do the work necessary to truly achieve knowledge/ More importantly, one cannot achieve knowledge without moral character. True knowledge of God only resides with the humble of character.
Join us as we study the monumental work of Maimonides, The Guide of the Perplexed. Let Maimonides speak to us in a language that we can understand, about issues that continue to perplex us in the 21st century. Learn how to approach those difficult times when what we believe seems to conflict with what the Holy writings say.
