Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this opening perek of Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, the Rambam sets down the very foundation of our entire emunah, guiding us to the ultimate knowledge of Hashem's existence. We begin by learning that Hashem is the Primary Being who brought everything into existence, and that He is completely independent of the world, while everything in creation is entirely dependent on Him.
The Rambam then brings us to understand the absolute unity of Hashem, explaining that He is not a body and has no physical form whatsoever. We will explore how the anthropomorphic expressions in the Torah are merely metaphors written in the language of man, and how even Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest of all nevi'im, was limited by his physical nature from fully grasping the ultimate essence of the Creator.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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מְצִיאוּת הַבּוֹרֵא יִתְבָּרַךְ וְהִמָּצְאוּת הַכֹּל מִמֶּנּוּHalacha 1 · The Existence of the Creator and the Derivation of All Existence from Him
יְסוֹדThe foundation ofהַיְסוֹדוֹתthe foundationsוְעַמּוּדand the pillar ofהַחָכְמוֹתthe wisdomsלֵידַעis to knowשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isשָׁםthereמָצוּיa Beingרִאשׁוֹן.Primaryוְהוּאand Heמַמְצִיאbrings into beingכָּלeveryנִמְצָא.existing thingוְכָלand allהַנִּמְצָאִיםthe existing thingsמִשָּׁמַיִםfrom heavenוָאָרֶץand earthוּמַהand whatשֶּׁבֵּינֵיהֶםis between themלֹאdid notנִמְצְאוּcome into existenceאֶלָּאexceptמֵאֲמִתַּתfrom the truth ofהִמָּצְאוֹ:His existence
This halacha establishes the foundational mitzvah of knowing that Hashem is the primary source of all existence.
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הַהֶכְרֵחַ שֶׁל מְצִיאוּת הַבּוֹרֵא לְקִיּוּם הַנִּבְרָאִיםHalacha 2 · The Absolute Necessity of the Creator's Existence for the Existence of All Beings
וְאִםAnd ifיַעֲלֶהit should ariseעַלuponהַדַּעַתthe mindשֶׁהוּאthat Heאֵינוֹis notמָצוּיexistingאֵיןthere is noדָּבָרthingאַחֵרotherיָכוֹלableלְהִמָּצְאוֹת:to exist
This halacha establishes that the existence of God is the fundamental prerequisite for the existence of any other entity in the universe.
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הַמְּצִיאוּת הַמֻּחְלֶטֶת שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּאHalacha 3 · The Absolute and Independent Existence of Hashem
וְאִםAnd ifיַעֲלֶהit should ariseעַלuponהַדַּעַתthe mindשֶׁאֵיןthat there are notכָּלallהַנִּמְצָאִיםthe existing thingsמִלְּבַדּוֹaside from HimמְצוּיִיםexistingהוּאHeלְבַדּוֹaloneיִהְיֶהwould beמָצוּי.existingוְלֹאand notיִבָּטֵלwould be nullifiedהוּאHeלְבִטּוּלָם.by their nullificationשֶׁכָּלbecause allהַנִּמְצָאִיםthe existing thingsצְרִיכִיןneedלוֹHimוְהוּאand Heבָּרוּךְblessed isהוּאHeאֵינוֹis notצָרִיךְneedingלָהֶםthemוְלֹאand notלְאֶחָדoneמֵהֶם.of themלְפִיכָךְThereforeאֵיןis notאֲמִתָּתוֹHis truthכַּאֲמִתַּתlike the truth ofאֶחָדoneמֵהֶם:of them
This halacha explains that Hashem's existence is completely independent of the universe, whereas all created things depend entirely on Him.
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אֲמִתַּת מְצִיאוּתוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּאHalacha 4 · The Absolute Truth of the Existence of the Creator
הוּאThisשֶׁהַנָּבִיאis what the prophetאוֹמֵרsaysירמיהJeremiahי10י10"וַה'And HashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֱמֶת".is truthהוּאHeלְבַדּוֹaloneהָאֱמֶתis the truthוְאֵיןand there is notלְאַחֵרto anotherאֱמֶתtruthכַּאֲמִתָּתוֹ.like His truthוְהוּאand this isשֶׁהַתּוֹרָהwhat the TorahאוֹמֶרֶתsaysדבריםDeuteronomyד4לה35"אֵיןThere isעוֹדnoneמִלְּבַדּוֹ".aside from Himכְּלוֹמַרmeaningאֵיןthere isשָׁםnotמָצוּיan existenceאֱמֶתof truthמִלְּבַדּוֹaside from Himכְּמוֹתוֹ:like Him
This halacha explains that only Hashem possesses absolute, independent truth and existence, and nothing else compares to His reality.
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מְצִיאוּת הַבּוֹרֵא וְהַנְהָגַת הַגַּלְגַּל בְּכֹחַ אֵין סוֹףHalacha 5 · The Existence of the Creator and His Infinite Guidance of the Sphere
הַמָּצוּיThis BeingהַזֶּהthisהוּאHeאֱלֹהֵיis the God ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldאֲדוֹןthe Master ofכָּלallהָאָרֶץ.the earthוְהוּאand Heהַמַּנְהִיגis the One Who guidesהַגַּלְגַּלthe sphereבְּכֹחַwith powerשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלוֹto itקֵץan endוְתַכְלִית.or a limitבְּכֹחַwith powerשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלוֹto itהֶפְסֵק.interruptionשֶׁהַגַּלְגַּלfor the sphereסוֹבֵבrevolvesתָּמִידconstantlyוְאִיand it is impossibleאֶפְשָׁרpossibleשֶׁיִּסֹּבthat it should revolveבְּלֹאwithoutמְסַבֵּב.one who causes it to revolveוְהוּאand Heבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis HeהַמְסַבֵּבWho causes to revolveאוֹתוֹitבְּלֹאwithoutיָדa handוּבְלֹאand withoutגּוּף:a body
This halacha establishes that Hashem is the Master of the universe Who constantly guides the celestial sphere with infinite power and without any physical form.
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מִצְוַת הַאֲמָנַת הַשֵּׁם וְאִסּוּר כְּפִירָהHalacha 6 · The Mitzvah to Believe in Hashem and the Prohibition of Heresy
וִידִיעַתAnd knowledge ofדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisמִצְוַתis a commandment ofעֲשֵׂהactionשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכ20ב2"אָנֹכִיI amה'Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ".your Godוְכָלand anyoneהַמַּעֲלֶהwho brings upעַלuponדַּעְתּוֹhis mindשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isשָׁםthereאֱלוֹהַּa godאַחֵרotherחוּץbesidesמִזֶּהthisעוֹבֵרtransgressesבְּלֹאa negativeתַּעֲשֶׂהcommandmentשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכ20ג3"לֹאThere shall notיִהְיֶהbeלְךָto youאֱלֹהִיםgodsאֲחֵרִיםothersעַלuponפָּנָי".My faceוְכוֹפֵרand deniesבָּעִקָּרthe fundamental principleשֶׁזֶּהוּfor this isהָעִקָּרthe principleהַגָּדוֹלthe greatשֶׁהַכּלthat everythingתָּלוּיis dependentבּוֹ:on it
The Rambam defines the belief in the existence and oneness of Hashem as a positive commandment and the belief in any other power as a denial of the Torah's foundation.
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הַיִּחוּד הַגָּמוּר שֶׁל הַבּוֹרֵא וּשְׁלִילַת הַגַּשְׁמִיּוּתHalacha 7 · The Absolute Unity of the Creator and the Negation of His Corporeality
אֱלוֹהַּGodזֶהthisאֶחָדis oneהוּאHeוְאֵינוֹand He is notשְׁנַיִםtwoוְלֹאand notיֶתֶרmoreעַלthanשְׁנַיִם.twoאֶלָּאbutאֶחָד.oneשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noכְּיִחוּדוֹlike His unityאֶחָדoneמִןofהָאֲחָדִיםthe unitiesהַנִּמְצָאִיםthat are foundבָּעוֹלָם.in the worldלֹאnotאֶחָדoneכְּמִיןlike a categoryשֶׁהוּאthat itכּוֹלֵלincludesאֲחָדִיםindividual entitiesהַרְבֵּה.manyוְלֹאand notאֶחָדoneכְּגוּףlike a bodyשֶׁהוּאthat itנֶחְלָקis dividedלְמַחְלָקוֹתinto partsוְלִקְצָווֹת.and into boundariesאֶלָּאbutיִחוּדa unityשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noיִחוּדunityאַחֵרotherכְּמוֹתוֹlike itבָּעוֹלָם.in the worldאִלּוּifהָיוּthere wereאֱלֹהוּתdivinitiesהַרְבֵּהmanyהָיוּthey would beגּוּפִיןbodiesוּגְוִיּוֹת.and physical formsמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat do notהַנִּמְנִיםthose that are numberedהַשָּׁוִיןwho are equalבִּמְצִיאוּתָןin their existenceנִפְרָדִיןseparateזֶהthis oneמִזֶּהfrom this oneאֶלָּאexceptבִּמְאֹרָעִיןby circumstancesשֶׁיֶּאֶרְעוּthat occurבַּגּוּפוֹתto bodiesוְהַגְּוִיּוֹת.and physical formsוְאִלּוּand ifהָיָהwereהַיּוֹצֵרthe Creatorגּוּףa bodyוּגְוִיָּהand physical formהָיָהthere would beלוֹto Himקֵץa limitוְתַכְלִיתand boundaryשֶׁאִיsince it isאֶפְשָׁרimpossibleלִהְיוֹתto beגּוּףa bodyשֶׁאֵיןthat does notלוֹhave to itקֵץ.a limitוְכָלand anythingשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasלְגוּפוֹto its bodyקֵץa limitוְתַכְלִיתand boundaryיֵשׁthere isלְכֹחוֹto its powerקֵץa limitוָסוֹף.and endוֵאלֹהֵינוּand our Godבָּרוּךְblessed isשְׁמוֹHis nameהוֹאִילsinceוְכֹחוֹand His powerאֵיןhas noלוֹto Himקֵץlimitוְאֵינוֹand it does notפּוֹסֵקceaseשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהַגַּלְגַּלthe sphereסוֹבֵבrevolvesתָּמִיד.alwaysאֵיןis notכֹּחוֹHis powerכֹּחַthe power ofגּוּף.a bodyוְהוֹאִילand sinceוְאֵינוֹand He is notגּוּףa bodyלֹאdo notיֶאֶרְעוּoccurלוֹto Himמְאֹרְעוֹתcircumstances ofהַגּוּפוֹתbodiesכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיְּהֵאthat He should beנֶחְלָקdividedוְנִפְרָדand separatedמֵאַחֵר.from anotherלְפִיכָךְthereforeאִיit isאֶפְשָׁרimpossibleשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat He should beאֶלָּאexceptאֶחָד.oneוִידִיעַתand knowledge ofדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisמִצְוַתis a commandment ofעֲשֵׂהto doשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimו6ד4"ה'Hashemאֱלֹהֵינוּis our Godה'Hashemאֶחָד":is one
This halacha establishes the fundamental belief in the absolute, non-physical unity of God, which is a positive commandment.
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הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֵינוֹ גּוּף וּגְוִיָּהHalacha 8 · The Holy One Blessed Be He Has No Body or Physical Form
הֲרֵיBeholdמְפֹרָשׁexplicitly statedבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahוּבַנְּבִיאִיםand in the Prophetsשֶׁאֵיןthat is notהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאbe Heגּוּףa bodyוּגְוִיָּהor physical formשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיהושעYehoshuaב2יא11"כִּי"Becauseה'Hashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour GodהוּאHeאֱלֹהִיםis Godבַּשָּׁמַיִםin the heavensמִמַּעַלaboveוְעַלand onהָאָרֶץthe earthמִתָּחַת".below"וְהַגּוּףand the bodyלֹאnotיִהְיֶהcan beבִּשְׁנֵיin twoמְקוֹמוֹת.placesוְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidדבריםDevarimד4טו15"כִּי"Forלֹאnotרְאִיתֶםyou sawכָּלanyתְּמוּנָה".image"וְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidישעיהYeshayahמ40כה25"וְאֶל"And toמִיwhomתְדַמְּיוּנִיwill you liken Meוְאֶשְׁוֶה".that I should be equal"וְאִלּוּand ifהָיָהHe wereגּוּףa bodyהָיָהHe would beדּוֹמֶהsimilarלִשְׁאָרto otherגּוּפִים:bodies
The Rambam proves from verses in the Torah and Prophets that God is completely non-physical and cannot be confined to any physical form.
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הַגְשָׁמַת הַבּוֹרֵא בַּתּוֹרָה כְּמָשָׁל וְכִנּוּיHalacha 9 · Corporeal Expressions in the Torah as Metaphors and Descriptive Imagery
אִםIfכֵּןsoמַהוּwhat isזֶהthisשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torah"וְתַחַת"And underרַגְלָיו".His feet"שמותShemosלא24יח10"כְּתוּבִים"writtenבְּאֶצְבַּעwith the finger ofאֱלֹהִים".God""יַד"the hand ofה'".Hashem""עֵינֵי"the eyes ofה'".Hashem""אָזְנֵי"the ears ofה'".Hashem"וְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבִּדְבָרִיםto thingsהָאֵלּוּ.theseהַכּלallלְפִיaccording toדַּעְתָּןthe mindשֶׁלofבְּנֵיchildren ofאָדָםmanהוּאit isשֶׁאֵינָןwho are notמַכִּירִיןfamiliarאֶלָּאexceptהַנּוֹפוֹתwith the bodiesהַגּוּפוֹתthe physicalוְדִבְּרָהand spokeתּוֹרָהTorahכִּלְשׁוֹןlike the language ofבְּנֵיchildren ofאָדָם.manוְהַכֹּלand allכִּנּוּיִיםdescriptionsהֵן.they areשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimלב32מא41"אִם"IfשַׁנּוֹתִיI whetבְּרַקthe lightning ofחַרְבִּי".My sword"וְכִיand is itחֶרֶבa swordיֵשׁthere isלוֹto Himוּבְחֶרֶבand with a swordהוּאHeהוֹרֵגkillsאֶלָּאratherמָשָׁלa metaphorוְהַכֹּלand allמָשָׁל.a metaphorרְאָיָהa proofלַדָּבָרto the matterשֶׁנָּבִיאthat a prophetאֶחָדoneאוֹמֵרsaysשֶׁרָאָהthat he sawהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis HeדניאלDanielז7ט9"לְבוּשֵׁיִהּ"His garmentכִּתְלַגlike snowחִוֵּר".white"וְאֶחָדand anotherרָאָהוּsaw HimישעיהYeshayahסג63א1"חֲמוּץ"with crimsonedבְּגָדִיםgarmentsמִבָּצְרָה".from Batzrah"משֶׁהMosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherעַצְמוֹhimselfרָאָהוּsaw Himעַלatהַיָּםthe Seaכְּגִבּוֹרlike a mighty manעוֹשֶׂהmakingמִלְחָמָה.warוּבְסִינַיand at Sinaiכִּשְׁלִיחַlike a messenger ofצִבּוּרthe congregationעָטוּף.wrappedלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלוֹto Himדְּמוּתimageוְצוּרָהand formאֶלָּאratherהַכּלallבְּמַרְאֵהin a vision ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyוּבְמַחֲזֶה.and in a visionוַאֲמִתַּתand the truth ofהַדָּבָרthe matterאֵיןnotדַּעְתּוֹthe mindשֶׁלofאָדָםmanמֵבִיןunderstandsוְלֹאand notיְכוֹלָהis ableלְהַשִּׂיגוֹto grasp Himוּלְחָקְרוֹ.and to search Him outוְזֶהand thisשֶׁאָמַרthat saidהַכָּתוּבthe verseאיובIyovיא11ז7"הַחֵקֶר"The search ofאֱלוֹהַּGodתִּמְצָאcan you findאִםifעַדuntoתַּכְלִיתthe limit ofשַׁדַּיthe Almightyתִּמְצָא":can you find"
This halacha explains that physical descriptions of Hashem in the Torah are merely metaphors adapted to human understanding, as Hashem has no physical form.
הל׳ י
בַּקָּשַׁת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ לְהַשִּׂיג אֲמִתַּת מְצִיאוּת הַבּוֹרֵאHalacha 10 · The Request of Moshe Our Teacher to Comprehend the Truth of the Creator's Existence
מַהוּWhat isזֶהthisשֶׁבִּקֵּשׁthat requestedמשֶׁהMosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherלְהַשִּׂיגto comprehendכְּשֶׁאָמַרwhen he saidשמותShemosלג33יח18"הַרְאֵנִי"Show meנָאpleaseאֶת—כְּבֹדֶךָ".Your glory"בִּקֵּשׁHe requestedלֵידַעto knowאֲמִתַּתthe truth ofהִמָּצְאוֹHis existenceשֶׁלofהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessed beהוּאHeעַדuntilשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat it would beיָדוּעַknownבְּלִבּוֹin his heartכְּמוֹlikeיְדִיעַתthe knowledge ofאֶחָדoneמִןofהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menשֶׁרָאָהwhoseפָּנָיוface he sawוְנֶחְקְקָהand is engravedצוּרָתוֹhis imageבְּלִבּוֹin his heartשֶׁנִּמְצָאthat is foundאוֹתוֹthatהָאִישׁmanנִפְרָדseparatedבְּדַעְתּוֹin his mindמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofהָאֲנָשִׁים.the menכָּךְsoבִּקֵּשׁrequestedמשֶׁהMosheרַבֵּנוּour teacherלִהְיוֹתto beמְצִיאוּתthe existence ofהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessed beהוּאHeנִפְרֶדֶתseparatedבְּלִבּוֹin his heartמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofהַנִּמְצָאִיםthe existing entitiesעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּדַעthat he would knowאֲמִתַּתthe truth ofהִמָּצְאוֹHis existenceכַּאֲשֶׁרasהִיא.it isוֶהֱשִׁיבוֹAnd He answered himבָּרוּךְblessed beהוּאHeשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noכֹּחַstrengthבְּדַעַתin the mind ofהָאָדָםthe manהַחַיthe livingשֶׁהוּאwho isמְחֻבָּרcomposedמִגּוּףof bodyוְנֶפֶשׁand soulלְהַשִּׂיגto comprehendאֲמִתַּתthe truth ofדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisעַלuponבֻּרְיוֹ.its clarityוְהוֹדִיעוֹAnd He made known to himבָּרוּךְblessed beהוּאHeמַהwhatשֶּׁלֹּאthat notיָדַעknewאָדָםmanלְפָנָיוbefore himוְלֹאand notיֵדַעwill knowלְאַחֲרָיו.after himעַדuntilשֶׁהִשִּׂיגthat he comprehendedמֵאֲמִתַּתfrom the truth ofהִמָּצְאוֹHis existenceדָּבָרa matterשֶׁנִּפְרָדthat is separatedהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessed beהוּאHeבְּדַעְתּוֹin his mindמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofהַנִּמְצָאִים.the existing entitiesכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁיִּפָּרֵדthat is separatedאֶחָדoneמִןofהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menשֶׁרָאָהwhoseאֲחוֹרָיוback he sawוְהִשִּׂיגand he comprehendedכָּלall ofגּוּפוֹhis bodyוּמַלְבּוּשׁוֹand his clothingבְּדַעְתּוֹin his mindמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofגּוּפֵיthe bodies ofהָאֲנָשִׁים.the menוְעַלAnd uponדָּבָרmatterזֶהthisרָמַזalludedהַכָּתוּבthe verseוְאָמַרand saidשמותShemosלג33כג23"וְרָאִיתָ"And you shall seeאֶת—אֲחֹרָיMy backוּפָנַיand My faceלֹאnotיֵרָאוּ":shall be seen"
This halacha explains the philosophical meaning behind Moshe's request to see God's glory and the limitations of human comprehension.
הל׳ יא
שְׁלִילַת מִקְרֵי הַגּוּף וְהַשִּׁנּוּי מֵהַבּוֹרֵא יִתְבָּרַךְHalacha 11 · The Absolute Negation of Physical Properties and Change from the Creator
וְכֵיוָןAnd sinceשֶׁנִּתְבָּרֵרit has been clarifiedשֶׁאֵינוֹthat He is notגּוּףa bodyוּגְוִיָּהor a physical formיִתְבָּרֵרit is clarifiedשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֶאֱרַעwill happenלוֹto Himאֶחָדanyמִמְּאֹרְעוֹתof the occurrencesהַגּוּפוֹת.of the bodiesלֹאnotחִבּוּרconnectionוְלֹאand notפֵּרוּד.separationלֹאnotמָקוֹםplaceוְלֹאand notמִדָּה.measureלֹאnotעֲלִיָּהascentוְלֹאand notיְרִידָה.descentוְלֹאand notיָמִיןrightוְלֹאand notשְׂמֹאל.leftוְלֹאand notפָּנִיםfrontוְלֹאand notאָחוֹר.backוְלֹאand notיְשִׁיבָהsittingוְלֹאand notעֲמִידָה.standingוְאֵינוֹand He is notמָצוּיfoundבִּזְמַןin timeעַדsoשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there would beלוֹto Himרֵאשִׁיתa beginningוְאַחֲרִיתand an endוּמִנְיַןand a numberשָׁנִים.of yearsוְאֵינוֹand He is notמִשְׁתַּנֶּהsubject to changeשֶׁאֵיןfor there is notלוֹto Himדָּבָרanythingשֶׁיִּגְרֹםthat would causeלוֹto Himשִׁנּוּי.changeוְאֵיןand there is notלוֹto Himלֹאneitherמָוֶתdeathוְלֹאand norחַיִּיםlifeכְּחַיֵּיlike the lifeהַגּוּףof the bodyהַחַי.that is livingוְלֹאand norסִכְלוּתfoolishnessוְלֹאand norחָכְמָהwisdomכְּחָכְמַתlike the wisdomהָאִישׁof the manהֶחָכָם.who is wiseלֹאnotשֵׁנָהsleepוְלֹאand notהֲקִיצָה.wakingוְלֹאand notכַּעַסangerוְלֹאand notשְׂחוֹקlaughterוְלֹאand notשִׂמְחָהjoyוְלֹאand notעַצְבוּת.sadnessוְלֹאand notשְׁתִיקָהsilenceוְלֹאand notדִּבּוּרspeechכְּדִבּוּרlike the speechבְּנֵיof the childrenאָדָם.of manוְכָךְand thusאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesאֵיןthere is notלְמַעְלָהAboveלֹאneitherיְשִׁיבָהsittingוְלֹאand norעֲמִידָהstandingוְלֹאand norעֹרֶףseparationוְלֹאand norעִפּוּי:connection
This halacha explains that because Hashem has no physical form, He is entirely free from all physical limitations, changes, emotions, and temporal boundaries.
הל׳ יב
הַגְשָׁמַת הַבּוֹרֵא כְּמָשָׁל וּמְלִיצָה בַּתּוֹרָהHalacha 12 · Physical Descriptions of the Creator as Metaphor and Imagery in the Torah
וְהוֹאִילAnd sinceוְהַדָּבָרthe matterכֵּןsoהוּא.isכָּלallהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsהַלָּלוּtheseוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themשֶׁנֶּאֶמְרוּthat were saidבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahוּבְדִבְרֵיand in the words ofנְבִיאִיםProphetsהַכּלallמָשָׁלmetaphorוּמְלִיצָהand imageryהֵן.they areכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidתהיליםTehillimב2ד4"יוֹשֵׁבHe who sitsבַּשָּׁמַיִםin the heavensיִשְׂחָק".shall laughדבריםDevarimלב32כא21"כִּעֲסוּנִיThey angered Meבְּהַבְלֵיהֶם".with their vanitiesדבריםDevarimכח28סג63"כַּאֲשֶׁרAsשָׂשׂrejoicedה'"Hashemוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶן.of themעַלregardingהַכּלallאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִיםthe SagesדִּבְּרָהspokeתּוֹרָהTorahכִּלְשׁוֹןlike the language ofבְּנֵיsons ofאָדָם.manוְכֵןand soהוּאHeאוֹמֵרsaysירמיהYirmeyahuז7יט19"הַאֹתִיIs it Meהֵםtheyמַכְעִסִים".angerהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאHeאוֹמֵרsaysמלאכיMalachiג3ו6"אֲנִיIה'Hashemלֹאnotשָׁנִיתִי".have changedוְאִלּוּand ifהָיָהHe wereפְּעָמִיםat timesכּוֹעֵסangryוּפְעָמִיםand at timesשָׂמֵחַhappyהָיָהHe wouldמִשְׁתַּנֶּה.changeוְכָלand allהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsהָאֵלּוּtheseאֵינָןare notמְצוּיִיןfoundאֶלָּאexceptלַגּוּפִיםto the bodiesהָאֲפֵלִיםthe darkהַשְּׁפָלִיםthe lowlyשׁוֹכְנֵיdwellers ofבָּתֵּיhouses ofחֹמֶרclayאֲשֶׁרwhoseבֶּעָפָרin the dustיְסוֹדָםis their foundationאֲבָלbutהוּאHeבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heיִתְבָּרַךְshall be exaltedוְיִתְרוֹמַםand shall be elevatedעַלaboveכָּלallזֶה:this
The Rambam explains that anthropomorphic descriptions of Hashem in the Torah are merely metaphors, as Hashem is completely unchanging and non-physical.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by establishing the positive mitzvah to know that there is a Creator who sustains all of existence with infinite power, and the negative commandment against believing in any other deity. The Rambam then demonstrates that Hashem is absolutely one, possessing a unique unity that is completely non-physical, as any physical body is inherently limited. He explains that all physical descriptions of Hashem in the Torah are purely metaphoric, meant to help human minds relate to the Divine, and concludes by explaining that while Moshe Rabbeinu sought to comprehend Hashem's true essence, such complete understanding is impossible for any living human being.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Rambam begins our entire avodah with a staggering realization: Hashem is not just the most powerful force in the universe, but He is the only true, independent reality. Everything else in creation, from the vast heavens to the chair you are sitting on, only exists because His constant, infinite power wills it to be. If He were to stop willing it for a single second, everything would vanish. This is the meaning of "Ein od milvado", there is no true existence besides Him.
When we go about our day, we easily fall into the trap of thinking that the world has its own independent power. We worry about our parnassah, we stress over what people think of us, and we treat our daily challenges as if they are independent forces we must battle. But the Rambam is teaching us that there is no other power. The person standing in front of you, the obstacle in your way, and the very breath in your lungs are all being actively sustained by the Creator this very moment.
To live with this emunah means to look past the physical surface of our lives and see the hand of the Creator in everything. When you realize that Hashem is the only true reality, your worries begin to shrink. You realize you don't need to manipulate the world or fear anyone; you only need to connect to the One who is constantly bringing the entire world into being.
Today, take one minute during a busy moment to stop and look around you. Remind yourself: "Nothing in this room, and no one in my life, has any power of their own. Hashem is creating all of this right now, and He is the only truth."