by Rabbi Joshua Maroof | Jan 22, 2007 | Uncategorized
At the conclusion of Parashat Bo, we encounter the commandment to wear tefillin twice. The two passages in which the mitsvah appears are actually included in the tefillin themselves. In other words, they – together with the other two references to tefillin found...
by Rabbi Joshua Maroof | Jan 22, 2007 | Uncategorized
We previously explored Spinoza’s critique of the Maimonidean approach to reconciling Scripture with reason. In this installment of our series on Maimonides and Spinoza, we will examine their difference of opinion regarding the nature and purpose of prophetic...
by Rabbi Joshua Maroof | Jan 18, 2007 | Uncategorized
Are there any parameters imposed upon the interpretation of Torah, or is it a free-for-all?Many find it strange that passages in the Torah that Chazal once took literally are being read by moderns in less and less literal ways. Yet, these very same moderns are...
by Rabbi Joshua Maroof | Jan 11, 2007 | Uncategorized
In the previous post, we explored Spinoza’s argument against Maimonides’ method of interpreting Tanach. We saw that it is, in fact, a serious critique that seems to be well substantiated. We were left with the question of whether philosophically inclined...
by Rabbi Joshua Maroof | Jan 11, 2007 | Uncategorized
First of all, I apologize for the delay in presenting this piece. I had every intention of posting it yesterday but I was sidetracked.In the Seventh Chapter of TTP, Spinoza writes:Maimonides took a quite different view; for he held that every passage of Scripture...
by Rabbi Joshua Maroof | Jan 10, 2007 | Uncategorized
In his Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, Baruch Spinoza presents a general critique of traditional Judaism and Christianity. A substantial portion of his work is directed against the views and methodology of Maimonides (the Rambam), who epitomized then – as he...
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