Just like we say a Bracha before eating we also say one before enjoying pleasant smells (not only at havdala). Even though it is only an enjoyment, and not satisfying a biological need, it still calls upon us to praise God as the creator of the world that we are enjoying. Just like the blessing…
The Mitzva of saying a Bracha forces us to think about and categorize what we are eating. By doing so we not only enjoy it more by paying attention, but also reframe our eating as an act of divine service. By understanding eating as a part of the natural order (albeit with a uniquely human…
Halacha is not only formal laws, but also a way of life more generally. The Mitzvah of Bracha frames our meals, and thereby also guides us in proper social dynamics of eating. This includes good character traits, but as a social institution also the manifestation and appearance of those traits. Thus, for example, one shouldn’t…
1. אף על פי שאין מצות ציצית נוהגת בלילה, קוראין אותה בלילה, מפני שיש בה זכרון יציאת מצריים; ומצוה להזכיר יציאת מצריים ביום ובלילה, שנאמר “למען תזכור את יום צאתך מארץ מצריים, כול ימי חייך” (דברים טז,ג). Why isn’t remembering Yetziat Mitzraim every day a mitzva? The fifth rule of counting Mitzvot is that one…
King David is a paradigm of doing teshuva. His Teshuva had many parts, both illustrated in the story and explained in Tehilim (especially mizmor 51). One of the lesser known steps happened when he was running away from Avshalom. When David is on the run from Avshalom, he has the opportunity to take the Aron…
Before we can believe him, a Navi needs to bring evidence that he really received prophecy. Usually this is done by making numerous accurate predictions. However, we can also believe the testimony of a prophet that someone else is also a prophet. The Rambam’s example is Moshe testifying to Yehoshua’s prophecy. What is the basis…
The Rambam in Chapter 2 explained that angels are metaphysical beings, which are bodiless and have knowledge of God. Yet when describing Yaakov’s vision of the ladder with angels climbing up and down, he explains that it is a metaphor for the empires and subjugation to them. Similarly, Chayot are the highest level of angel,…
To illustrate the general scientific and philosophical principles of this chapter, the Rambam gives numerous examples. However, from a purely scientific standpoint there are too many examples. For example, there is no relevant scientific difference between precious gems and other rocks, yet the Rambam gives both in his list of examples. The Rambam is not…
One of the challenges of science is that many things in the world aren’t visible. We observe the world and find many things, but how do we know what other things are there. This is where explanation comes in. When we try to explain the changes we see in the world we need to posit…
How does love feel? It feels like a Gazelle does, crying for water in the desert. A creature who is parched loves water, but that love is a painful feeling. Love of God is the same feeling. When a person investigates God’s wondrous creation and recognizes the infinite wisdom contained therein, they immediately love Him…
