The Office of Rabbi Sacks Sages and Saints: Two Versions of the Moral Life (Rabbi Sacks on Naso)
Jun 3, 2025
Delve into the Nazirite vow and its implications for holiness, examining the contrasting views on its value. Discover the balance between asceticism and community responsibility in moral philosophy, highlighting the paths of saints versus sages. The discussion emphasizes how spirituality and social justice intersect, as influenced by Maimonides' teachings.
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Judaism's Embrace of the Physical
- Judaism views God as present in the physical world, which He declared good.
- Therefore, sanctifying pleasure matters more than renouncing it, opposing ascetic withdrawal.
Maimonides' Contradictory Views
- Maimonides holds contradictory views on Nazirut, negative in Hilchot De'ot and positive in Hilchot Nazirut.
- This reflects his understanding of the dual moral paths of saintliness and sagacity.
Two Paths in Moral Life
- Maimonides reveals two moral life paths: the saint (chasid) and the sage (chacham).
- Saints pursue personal perfection, sages aim for societal harmony through moderation.
