Rambam Class: Why Celebrate the Jewish Holidays?

The next class will focus on the holidays. The central question asked about each holiday is "what is its function." This is a very important question for the Rambam because every mitzvah needs to be logical. The most interesting section of this chapter is a tangential passage (paragraph #11) that deals with the nature of midrash (Did the rabbis really believe that their interpretations of Bible were "correct.") Some guiding questions are below. After each question, I have noted the paragraph number where you can find the answer to that particular question.

1. Shabbat: What is the practical function of shabbat? What is the spiritual/intellectual function of shabbat? (1)
2. Yom Kippur: What is the function of the day? Why do we abstain from bodily pleasures on Yom Kippur? (2)
3. What is the primary function of the festivals? (3)
4. Why is Passover 7 days? (4)
5. If Shavuot is only a day, why isn't Passover also only 1 day? (5)
6. Why, according to Aristotle, would it make sense for Sukkot to take place right after the harvest? (7)
7. What other reason can account for Sukkot taking place at that time? (8)
8. What opinions and moral qualities are inculcated in us through the observance of Sukkot and Passover? (9)
9. How does the rambam define "midrash"? What were the two going theories of midrash that were rejected by the Rambam? (11)
10. Why do we take the 4 species (lulav, etrog, Hadasim and aravot) on Sukkot? (12)

Click Here To Listen to this Lecture

Click Here To Download the Source Sheet

Rambam Class: Forbidden Sex and Circumcision

Preparation for this Class:
This class will continue with a focus on the Rambam's theory of forbidden sexual activity. The text is the Guide for the Perplexed: Section III chapter 49 (The link to the text is at the bottom of the post). Read from paragraph 13 to the end of the chapter. Below are some study questions. After each question, I will list the paragraph number where you can find the answer.

1. What is the purpose of circumcision? (the men are not going to be too happy with this one!!) (13 - 15)
2. Why is circumcision done during childhood? (16)
3. How does halakha define a "bastard"?
4. Why is a bastard not allowed to marry other jews? (19)
5. How does rambam account for the fact that he cannot give a reason for every single mitzvah? (21)

Click Here to Listen to the Lecture

Click Here to see the source sheet