If exacting rationalism and ecstatic mysticism are mutually exclusive, how does Maimonides thrive in a contemporary dynamic, ecstatic, kabbalistic mystical movement?
In this episode, we explore Maimonides’ rich afterlife in the Chabad Hasidic movement. We’ll investigate how this mystical movement embraces Maimonides philosophical and Aristotelian teachings, using Maimonides to ground its mysticism. We’ll look at Chabad’s theological and philosophical explanations for how to reconcile the apparent dissonance between Maimonides and its own symbolic teachings. Finally, we’ll learn how Maimonides' work provides a model for Chabad’s idealized spiritual activism.
Maimonides the Hasid? Chabad and Rambam.
Check out the rest of our Maimonides series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_7jcKJs6iwXUKaVOvNJWr5DSLPTYV0j9
Elisha Pearl is a student and teacher of Jewish texts, practices, and traditions. He has taught from the Himalayas to the Alps, and from the Judean Hills to the Texan Plains.
Elisha grew up in Brooklyn, studied Jewish mysticism at yeshivot around the world and is an ordained Rabbi. Elisha also holds degrees in philosophy and psychology. Elisha is particularly interested in how Jewish texts and embodied practices answer perennial existential questions and illuminate the human experience.
Elisha’s youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1jjMY4zr97S8AetoqWoKnw
Some of Elisha’s lectures can be found at https://www.yutorah.org/rabbi-elisha-pearl/
Special thanks to Chabad of West Orange for hosting Elisha for the filming.
Sources and Further Reading:
- Torah Or p 120c
- Toras Menachem Hisvaaduyos 5744 v. 3 p. 194
- Toras Menachem Hisvaaduyos 5749 v. 1 p. 140.
- Derekh Mitzvotekha Mitsvat Milah pages 8b-9a
- Chayyei Moharan, teachings 407-409
- Guide 3.43
- Derech Mitzotecha Mitzvat Chametz U’Matza.
- Siddur Im Dach s.v. Sheshet Yamim and the two subsequent essays:
- Shaar HaEmuna chapters 1-20
- Derech Mitzvotekha 5a – Mitzvas Millah
- Derech Mitzvotekha 22b – Mitzvas Pesach U’Matza
On Maimonides Aristotelianism as grounding for Chabad thought:
https://www.academia.edu/77790775/All_is_One_Maimonides_Doctrine_of_Divine_Cognition_as_a_Pillar_of_Habad_Thought
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1032671/rabbi-elisha-pearl/all-is-one-exploring-rambam-s-aristotelean-doctrine-of-divine-cognition-as-a-pillar-of-chabad-thought/
On Maimonides relationship with Chabad, two important Hebrew works are:
Yaakov Gottlieb, Sachlatanut B’Levush Hasidi, Rationalism in Hasidic Attire, which offers a somewhat different, but much fuller narrative account of Maimonides relationship with the Chabad tradition. https://www.biupress.co.il/index.php?dir=site&page=catalog&op=item&cs=1313
YMM Ezagui, Dvar Malchut, which offers an exhaustive nearly 800-page compilation of the Rebbe’s essays and lectures on Maimonides writings concerning the Messianic era. Exploring the integrative project that the Rebbe engaged in between Maimonidean rationalism and Chabad mysticism. https://seforimplace.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=8281&search=%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8+%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%AA
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