Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam takes us on a beautiful journey to fulfill the fundamental mitzvos of loving and fearing Hashem. The Rambam teaches us that the path to true yiras Shamayim and ahavas Hashem is through deep contemplation of the wondrous, vast creations that Hashem brought into being. By looking at the greatness of the cosmos, a person's neshama is filled with a powerful yearning to know Hashem, while simultaneously feeling humbled by our own smallness before His infinite wisdom.
To help us begin this contemplation, the Rambam introduces us to the spiritual hierarchy of the universe. He explains the three categories of creation, focusing deeply on the spiritual forms that have no physical bodies—the holy angels. We will learn about their ten distinct spiritual levels, how they receive their existence one from another, and how they all stand in awe, recognizing their Creator according to their spiritual capacity.
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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הַמִּצְוָה לֶאֱהֹב וְלִירֹא אֶת הַשֵּׁם הַנִּכְבָּד וְהַנּוֹרָאHalacha 1 · The Mitzvah to Love and Fear the Glorious and Awesome God
הָאֵלThis Godהַנִּכְבָּדthe gloriousוְהַנּוֹרָאand the awesomeהַזֶּהthisמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלְאָהֳבוֹto love Himוּלְיִרְאָהand to fearאוֹתוֹHimשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimו6ה5"וְאָהַבְתָּ"And you shall loveאֵת—ה'Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָ".your God"וְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidדבריםDevarimו6יג13"אֶת"—ה'Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godתִּירָא":you shall fear"
This halacha establishes the positive commandments to love and fear Hashem, citing the biblical sources for both obligations.
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הַדֶּרֶךְ לְאַהֲבַת הַשֵּׁם וְיִרְאָתוֹ עַל יְדֵי הִתְבּוֹנְנוּת בִּבְרִיאָתוֹHalacha 2 · The Path to Attaining Love and Fear of God Through Contemplating His Creation
וְהֵיאַךְAnd howהִיאisהַדֶּרֶךְthe pathלְאַהֲבָתוֹto His loveוְיִרְאָתוֹ.and His fearבְּשָׁעָהat the timeשֶׁיִּתְבּוֹנֵןthat contemplatesהָאָדָםthe personבְּמַעֲשָׂיוon His deedsוּבְרוּאָיוand His creationsהַנִּפְלָאִיםthe wondrousהַגְּדוֹלִיםthe greatוְיִרְאֶהand he seesמֵהֶןfrom themחָכְמָתוֹHis wisdomשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלָהּto itעֵרֶךְmeasureוְלֹאand notקֵץendמִיָּדimmediatelyהוּאheאוֹהֵבlovesוּמְשַׁבֵּחַand praisesוּמְפָאֵרand glorifiesוּמִתְאַוֶּהand yearnsתַּאֲוָהa yearningגְּדוֹלָהgreatלֵידַעto knowהַשֵּׁםthe Nameהַגָּדוֹל.the greatכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאָמַרthat saidדָּוִדDovidתהיליםTehillimמב42ג3"צָמְאָהthirstsנַפְשִׁיmy soulלֵאלֹהִיםfor Godלְאֵלfor Godחָי".livingוּכְשֶׁמְּחַשֵּׁבAnd when he reflectsבַּדְּבָרִיםon the mattersהָאֵלּוּtheseעַצְמָןthemselvesמִיָּדimmediatelyהוּאheנִרְתָּעrecoilsלַאֲחוֹרָיוbackwardוִיפַחֵדand fearsוְיוֹדֵעַand knowsשֶׁהוּאthat he isבְּרִיָּהa creatureקְטַנָּהsmallשְׁפָלָהlowlyאֲפֵלָהdarkעוֹמֶדֶתstandingבְּדַעַתwith understandingקַלָּהflimsyמְעוּטָהlimitedלִפְנֵיbeforeתְּמִיםthe Perfectדֵּעוֹת.of knowledgeכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאָמַרthat saidדָּוִדDovidתהיליםTehillimח8ד4"כִּיWhenאֶרְאֶהI seeשָׁמֶיךָYour heavensמַעֲשֵׂיthe work ofאֶצְבְּעֹתֶיךָ"Your fingersתהיליםTehillimח8ה5"מָהWhat isאֱנוֹשׁmanכִּיthatתִזְכְּרֶנּוּ".You should remember himוּלְפִיAnd according toהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersהָאֵלּוּtheseאֲנִיIמְבָאֵרexplainכְּלָלִיםprinciplesגְּדוֹלִיםgreatמִמַּעֲשֵׂהof the work ofרִבּוֹןthe Master ofהָעוֹלָמִיםthe worldsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they will beפֶּתַחan openingלַמֵּבִיןfor the understanding oneלֶאֱהֹבto loveאֶת—הַשֵּׁם.the Nameכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאָמְרוּthat saidחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesבְּעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofאַהֲבָהloveשֶׁמִּתּוֹךְthat from withinכָּךְthisאַתָּהyouמַכִּירrecognizeאֶת—מִיHeשֶׁאָמַרwho spokeוְהָיָהand wasהָעוֹלָם:the world
The Rambam explains how contemplating the vastness and wisdom of God's creation leads a person to both intense love for Him and a humbling sense of awe.
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חֲלֻקַּת הַבְּרוּאִים לְשָׁלֹשׁ קָטֵגוֹרְיוֹת שׁוֹנוֹתHalacha 3 · The Division of All Creations into Three Distinct Categories of Matter and Form
כָּלAllמַהthatשֶּׁבָּרָאwhich createdהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy OneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאHeבְּעוֹלָמוֹin His worldנֶחְלָקis dividedלִשְׁלֹשָׁהinto threeחֲלָקִים.partsמֵהֶןof themבְּרוּאִיםare creationsשֶׁהֵןthat theyמְחֻבָּרִיםare joinedמִגּלֶםfrom matterוְצוּרָהand formוְהֵםand theyהוִֹיםare coming into beingוְנִפְסָדִיםand perishingתָּמִידconstantlyכְּמוֹlikeגּוּפוֹתthe bodies ofהָאָדָםmanוְהַבְּהֵמָהand the beastוְהַצְּמָחִיםand the plantsוְהַמַּתָּכוֹת.and the metalsוּמֵהֶןand of themבְּרוּאִיםare creationsשֶׁהֵןthat theyמְחֻבָּרִיםare joinedמִגּלֶםfrom matterוְצוּרָהand formאֲבָלbutאֵינָןthey are notמִשְׁתַּנִּיןchangingמִגּוּףfrom bodyלְגוּףto bodyוּמִצּוּרָהand from formלְצוּרָהto formכְּמוֹlikeהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe first onesאֶלָּאratherצוּרָתָןtheir formקְבוּעָהis fixedלְעוֹלָםforeverבְּגָלְמָםin their matterוְאֵינָןand they are notמִשְׁתַּנִּיןchangingכְּמוֹlikeאֵלּוּ.theseוְהֵםand theyהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםare the spheresוְהַכּוֹכָבִיםand the starsשֶׁבָּהֶן.that are in themוְאֵיןand is notגָּלְמָםtheir matterכִּשְׁאָרlike otherגְּלָמִיםmattersוְלֹאand notצוּרָתָםtheir formכִּשְׁאָרlike otherצוּרוֹת.formsוּמֵהֶןand of themבְּרוּאִיםare creationsצוּרָהformבְּלֹאwithoutגּלֶםmatterכְּלָלat allוְהֵםand theyהַמַּלְאָכִים.are the angelsשֶׁהַמַּלְאָכִיםfor the angelsאֵינָםare notגּוּףbodyוּגְוִיָּהand physical formאֶלָּאratherצוּרוֹתformsנִפְרָדוֹתseparatedזוֹthisמִזּוֹ:from this
The Rambam explains the three categories of creation: physical things that change, celestial bodies with fixed forms, and purely spiritual angels.
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מַהוּת הַמַּלְאָכִים וּמַרְאוֹת הַנְּבוּאָהHalacha 4 · The Non-Physical Nature of Angels and Prophetic Metaphors
וּמַהוּAnd what isזֶהthisשֶׁהַנְּבִיאִיםthat the prophetsאוֹמְרִיםsayשֶׁרָאוּthat they sawהַמַּלְאָךְthe angelאֵשׁfireוּבַעַלand possessor ofכְּנָפַיִם.wingsהַכּלallבְּמַרְאֵהin a vision ofהַנְּבוּאָהthe prophecyוְדֶרֶךְand by way ofחִידָה.riddleלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notגּוּףa bodyוְאֵינוֹand he is notכָּבֵדheavyכַּגּוּפוֹתlike the bodiesהַכְּבֵדִים.the heavy onesכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidדבריםDevarimד4כד24"כִּיForה'Hashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאֵשׁfireאֹכְלָהconsumingהוּא"is Heוְאֵינוֹand He is notאֵשׁfireאֶלָּאratherמָשָׁל.a parableוּכְמוֹand just asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidתהיליםTehillimקד104ד4"עשֶֹׁהHe makesמַלְאָכָיוHis angelsרוּחוֹת":winds
The Rambam explains that prophetic descriptions of angels as having fire or wings are entirely metaphorical, as angels are completely spiritual and incorporeal.
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הַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּלְאָכִים וּמַעֲלָתָם זֶה מֵעַל זֶהHalacha 5 · The Distinction Between Angels and Their Hierarchy of Existence
וּבַמֶּהAnd by whatיִפָּרְדוּare separatedהַצּוּרוֹתthe formsזוֹthisמִזּוֹfrom thisוַהֲרֵיand beholdאֵינָןthey are notגּוּפִין.bodiesלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵינָןthat they are notשָׁוִיןequalבִּמְצִיאוּתָןin their existenceאֶלָּאratherכָּלeachאֶחָדoneמֵהֶןof themלְמַטָּהis belowמִמַּעֲלָתוֹfrom the levelשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹ.his fellowוְהוּאand heמָצוּיexistsמִכֹּחוֹfrom the powerזֶהthisלְמַעְלָהaboveמִזֶּהfrom thisוְהַכּלand everythingנִמְצָאִיםexistsמִכֹּחוֹfrom the powerשֶׁלofהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heוְטוּבוֹ.and His goodnessוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁרָמַזthat alludedשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoבְּחָכְמָתוֹin his wisdomוְאָמַרand saidקהלתKohelesהfiveזseven"כִּיforגָבֹהַּhighמֵעַלaboveגָּבֹהַּhighשֹׁמֵר":watches
This halacha explains that since angels have no physical bodies, they are distinguished from one another by their spiritual levels and chain of influence.
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הַהֶבְדֵּל הַמַּעֲלָתִי בֵּין הַנִּבְרָאִים הָרוּחָנִיִּיםHalacha 6 · The Spiritual Hierarchy of Angels and Causes
זֶהThisשֶׁאָמַרְנוּwhich we saidלְמַטָּהbelowמִמַּעֲלָתוֹthe levelשֶׁלofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowאֵינָהּis notמַעֲלַתa levelמָקוֹם.of placeכְּמוֹlikeאָדָםa manשֶׁיּוֹשֵׁבwho sitsלְמַעְלָהaboveמֵחֲבֵרוֹ.his fellowאֶלָּאbutכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאוֹמְרִיןthat they sayבִּשְׁנֵיregarding twoחֲכָמִיםsagesשֶׁאֶחָדthat oneגָּדוֹלis greaterמֵחֲבֵרוֹthan his fellowבְּחָכְמָהin wisdomשֶׁהוּאthat he isלְמַעְלָהaboveמִמַּעֲלָתוֹthe levelשֶׁלofזֶה.this oneוּכְמוֹand likeשֶׁאוֹמְרִיןthat they sayבְּעִלָּהregarding a causeשֶׁהִיאthat it isלְמַעְלָהaboveמִן·הֶעָלוּל:the effect
The Rambam explains that terms of height and level regarding spiritual entities refer to intellectual and causal superiority, not physical space.
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עֶשֶׂר מַעֲלוֹת הַמַּלְאָכִים וּשְׁמוֹתֵיהֶםHalacha 7 · The Ten Spiritual Levels of Angels and Their Respective Names
שִׁנּוּיThe difference ofשְׁמוֹתthe names ofהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsעַלis according toשֵׁםthe measure ofמַעֲלָתָםtheir levelהוּא.it isוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeנִקְרָאִיםthey are calledחַיּוֹתChayyotהַקֹּדֶשׁHaKodeshוְהֵםand they areלְמַעְלָהaboveמִן·הַכּלallוְאוֹפַנִּיםand Ofanimוְאֶרְאֶלִּיםand Er'elimוְחַשְׁמַלִּיםand Chashmalimוּשְׂרָפִיםand Serafimוּמַלְאָכִיםand Mal'achimוֵאלֹהִיםand Elohimוּבְנֵיand sons ofאֱלֹהִיםElohimוּכְרוּבִיםand Keruvimוְאִישִׁים.and Ishimכָּלall ofאֵלּוּtheseעֲשָׂרָהtenהַשֵּׁמוֹתnamesשֶׁנִּקְרְאוּby which are calledבָּהֶןthemהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsעַלare according toשֵׁםthe measure ofעֶשֶׂרtenמַעֲלוֹתlevelsשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsהֵן,they areוּמַעֲלָהand the levelשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notלְמַעְלָהaboveמִמֶּנָּהitאֶלָּאexceptמַעֲלַתthe level ofהָאֵלthe Godבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heהִיאit isמַעֲלַתthe level ofהַצּוּרָהthe formשֶׁנִּקְרֵאתthat is calledחַיּוֹת.Chayyotלְפִיכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is saidבַּנְּבוּאָהin prophecyשֶׁהֵןthat they areתַּחַתunderכִּסֵּאthe Throne ofהַכָּבוֹד.the Gloryוּמַעֲלָהand the levelעֲשִׂירִיתtenthהִיאit isמַעֲלַתthe level ofהַצּוּרָהthe formשֶׁנִּקְרֵאתthat is calledאִישִׁיםIshimוְהֵםand they areהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsהַמְדַבְּרִיםwho speakעִםwithהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsוְנִרְאִיםand appearלָהֶםto themבְּמַרְאֵהin a vision ofהַנְּבוּאָה.prophecyלְפִיכָךְthereforeנִקְרְאוּthey are calledאִישִׁיםIshimשֶׁמַּעֲלָתָםbecause their levelקְרוֹבָהis closeלְמַעֲלַתto the level ofדַּעַתthe knowledge ofבְּנֵיsons ofאָדָם:man
This halacha details the hierarchy of the ten spiritual levels of angels, from the highest Chayyot HaKodesh to the lowest Ishim who communicate with prophets.
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הַשָּׂגַת הַצּוּרוֹת הָרוּחָנִיּוֹת בִּידִיעַת הַבּוֹרֵאHalacha 8 · The Spiritual Forms' Comprehension and Knowledge of the Creator
וְכָלAnd allהַצּוּרוֹתthe formsהָאֵלּוּtheseחַיִּיםare aliveוּמַכִּירִיןand recognizeאֶת—הַבּוֹרֵאthe Creatorוְיוֹדְעִיםand knowאוֹתוֹHimדֵּעָהwith knowledgeגְּדוֹלָהgreatעַדuntoלִמְאֹד.exceedinglyכָּלeachצוּרָהformוְצוּרָהand formלְפִיaccording toמַעֲלָתָהּits levelלֹאnotלְפִיaccording toגָּדְלָהּ.His greatnessאֲפִלּוּEvenמַעֲלָהthe levelהָרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstאֵינָהּis notיְכוֹלָהableלְהַשִּׂיגto graspאֲמִתַּתthe truth ofהַבּוֹרֵאthe CreatorכְּמוֹasשֶׁהוּאHe isאֶלָּאratherדַּעְתָּהּits mindקְצָרָהis too shortלְהַשִּׂיגto graspוְלֵידַעand to knowאֲבָלbutמַשֶּׂגֶתit graspsוְיוֹדַעַתand knowsיוֹתֵרmoreמִמַּהthan whatשֶּׁמַּשֶּׂגֶתgraspsוְיוֹדַעַתand knowsצוּרָהthe formשֶׁלְּמַטָּהthat is belowמִמֶּנָּה.itוְכֵןAnd soכָּלeveryמַעֲלָהlevelוּמַעֲלָהand levelעַדuntilמַעֲלָהthe levelעֲשִׂירִיתtenthגַּםalsoהִיאitיוֹדַעַתknowsהַבּוֹרֵאthe Creatorדֵּעָהwith knowledgeשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noכֹּחַstrengthבְּנֵיof sons ofהָאָדָםmanהַמְחֻבָּרִיםwho are joinedמִגּלֶםfrom matterוְצוּרָהand formיָכוֹלableלְהַשִּׂיגto graspוְלֵידַעand to knowכְּמוֹתָהּ.like itוְהַכּלAnd all of themאֵינָןdo notיוֹדְעִיןknowהַבּוֹרֵאthe CreatorכְּמוֹasשֶׁהוּאHeיוֹדֵעַknowsעַצְמוֹ:Himself
This halacha explains that while the spiritual forms possess immense knowledge of the Creator relative to their levels, none can fully grasp His true essence as He knows Himself.
הל׳ ט
הַכֹּל נִמְצָא מֵאֲמִתָּתוֹ וְהוּא יוֹדֵעַ אֶת הַכֹּלHalacha 9 · All Existence Derives from the Creator and He Knows All Things
כָּלAllהַנִּמְצָאִיםthe existing thingsחוּץoutsideמִןofהַבּוֹרֵאthe Creatorמִצּוּרָהfrom the formהָרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstעַדuntilיַתּוּשׁa mosquitoקָטָןsmallשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat isבְּטַבּוּרin the centerהָאָרֶץof the earthהַכּלeverythingמִכֹּחַfrom the power ofאֲמִתָּתוֹHis truthנִמְצְאוּ.existוּלְפִיand becauseשֶׁהוּאthat HeיוֹדֵעַknowsעַצְמוֹHimselfוּמַכִּירand recognizesגְּדֻלָּתוֹHis greatnessוְתִפְאַרְתּוֹand His beautyוַאֲמִתָּתוֹand His truthהוּאHeיוֹדֵעַknowsהַכּלeverythingוְאֵיןand there is noדָּבָרthingנֶעֱלָםhiddenמִמֶּנּוּ:from Him
This halacha explains that all creations derive their existence from the Creator's truth, and because He knows Himself, He knows everything in existence.
הל׳ י
אַחְדוּת הַבּוֹרֵא וְדַעְתּוֹ הַנִּשְׂגָּבָהHalacha 10 · The Absolute Unity of the Creator, His Knowledge, and His Life
הַקָּדוֹשׁThe Holy OneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאHeמַכִּירrecognizesאֲמִתּוֹHis truthוְיוֹדֵעַand knowsאוֹתָהּitכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁהִיא.that it isוְאֵינוֹand He does notיוֹדֵעַknowבְּדֵעָהwith a knowledgeשֶׁהִיאthat isחוּץoutsideמִמֶּנּוּof Himכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאָנוּthat weיוֹדְעִין.knowשֶׁאֵיןfor notאָנוּweוְדַעְתֵּנוּand our knowledgeאֶחָדare oneאֲבָלbutהַבּוֹרֵאthe Creatorיִתְבָּרַךְmay He be blessedהוּאHeוְדַעְתּוֹand His knowledgeוְחַיָּיוand His lifeאֶחָדare oneמִכָּלfrom allצַדsideוּמִכָּלand from allפִּנָּהcornerוּבְכָלand in everyדֶּרֶךְway ofיִחוּד.unityשֶׁאִלְמָלֵיfor ifהָיָהHe wereחַיlivingבַּחַיִּיםwith lifeוְיוֹדֵעַand knowingבְּדֵעָהwith a knowledgeחוּץoutsideמִמֶּנּוּof Himהָיוּthere would beשָׁםthereאֱלֹהוּתgodsהַרְבֵּהmanyהוּאHeוְחַיָּיוand His lifeוְדַעְתּוֹ,and His knowledgeוְאֵיןand notהַדָּבָרthe matterכֵּןis soאֶלָּאratherאֶחָדoneמִכָּלfrom allצַדsideוּמִכָּלand from allפִּנָּהcornerוּבְכָלand in everyדֶּרֶךְway ofיִחוּד.unityנִמְצֵאתָconsequentlyאַתָּהyouאוֹמֵרsayהוּאHeהַיּוֹדֵעַis the Knowerוְהוּאand Heהַיָּדוּעַis the Knownוְהוּאand Heהַדֵּעָהis the Knowledgeעַצְמָהּitselfהַכּלthe wholeאֶחָד.is oneוְדָבָרand matterזֶהthisאֵיןthere is noכֹּחַpowerבַּפֶּהin the mouthלְאָמְרוֹto say itוְלֹאand notבָּאֹזֶןin the earלְשָׁמְעוֹto hear itוְלֹאand notבְּלֵבin the heart ofהָאָדָםmanלְהַכִּירוֹto recognize itעַלuponבֻּרְיוֹ.its truthוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeאוֹמֵרit saysחֵיby the life ofפַרְעֹהPharaohוְחֵיand by the life ofנַפְשְׁךָyour soulוְאֵיןand notאוֹמֵרit saysחֵיby the life ofה'Hashemאֶלָּאratherחַיas livesה'.Hashemשֶׁאֵיןfor notהַבּוֹרֵאthe Creatorוְחַיָּיוand His lifeשְׁנַיִםare twoכְּמוֹlikeחַיֵּיthe life ofהַגּוּפִיםthe bodiesהַחַיִּיםthe livingאוֹorכְּחַיֵּיlike the life ofהַמַּלְאָכִים.the angelsלְפִיכָךְthereforeאֵינוֹHe does notמַכִּירrecognizeהַבְּרוּאִיםthe creationsוְיוֹדְעָםand know themמֵחֲמַתbecause ofהַבְּרוּאִיםthe creationsכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁאָנוּthat weיוֹדְעִיןknowאוֹתָםthemאֶלָּאratherמֵחֲמַתbecause ofעַצְמוֹHimselfיְדָעֵם.He knows themלְפִיכָךְthereforeמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat HeיוֹדֵעַknowsעַצְמוֹHimselfיוֹדֵעַHe knowsהַכּלeverythingשֶׁהַכּלfor everythingנִסְמָךְis dependentלוֹon Himבַּהֲוָיָתוֹ:in its existence
This halacha explains that Hashem's knowledge is not external to Him, but rather He, His life, and His knowledge are completely one.
הל׳ יא
מַעֲשֵׂה מֶרְכָּבָה וְהַגְבָּלַת הַבֵּאוּר בָּהֶםHalacha 11 · The Depth of Ma'aseh Merkavah and the Limits of Explanation
דְּבָרִיםMattersאֵלּוּtheseשֶׁאָמַרְנוּthat we saidבְּעִנְיָןregarding the subjectזֶהthisבִּשְׁנֵיin twoפְּרָקִיםchaptersאֵלּוּtheseכְּמוֹare likeטִפָּהa dropמִןfromהַיָּםthe seaהֵםtheyמִמַּהcompared to whatשֶּׁצָּרִיךְis neededלְבָאֵרto explainבְּעִנְיָןregarding the subjectזֶה.thisוּבֵאוּרand the explanation ofכָּלallהָעִקָּרִיםthe principlesשֶׁבִּשְׁנֵיthat are in the twoפְּרָקִיםchaptersאֵלּוּtheseהוּאitהַנִּקְרָאis that which is calledמַעֲשֵׂהthe Work ofמֶרְכָּבָה:the Chariot
The Rambam explains that the profound concepts discussed in the previous chapters are merely a drop in the ocean of the esoteric discipline known as Ma'aseh Merkavah.
הל׳ יב
הַגְבָּלַת לִמּוּד סוֹדוֹת הַתּוֹרָה וְהַצְנָעָתָםHalacha 12 · The Restriction and Concealment of the Secrets of the Torah
צִוּוּcommandedחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe earlyשֶׁלֹּאthat notלִדְרשׁto expoundבִּדְבָרִיםon mattersאֵלּוּtheseאֶלָּאexceptלְאִישׁto a manאֶחָדoneבִּלְבַדaloneוְהוּאand heשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat he beחָכָםwiseוּמֵבִיןand understandingמִדַּעְתּוֹfrom his own knowledgeוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְsoמוֹסְרִיןthey transmitלוֹto himרָאשֵׁיthe outlinesהַפְּרָקִיםof the chaptersוּמוֹדִיעִיןand they make knownאוֹתוֹhimשֶׁמֶץa traceמִןofהַדָּבָרthe matterוְהוּאand heמֵבִיןunderstandsמִדַּעְתּוֹfrom his own knowledgeוְיֵדַעand knowsסוֹףthe endהַדָּבָרof the matterוְעָמְקוֹ.and its depthוּדְבָרִיםand mattersאֵלּוּtheseדְּבָרִיםmattersעֲמֻקִּיםdeepהֵםtheyעַדuntilלִמְאֹדexceedinglyוְאֵיןand there is notכָּלeveryדַּעַתmindוְדַעַתand mindרְאוּיָהfittingלְסָבְלָן.to bear themוַעֲלֵיהֶםand on themאָמַרsaidשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoבְּחָכְמָתוֹin his wisdomדֶּרֶךְby way ofמָשָׁלmetaphorמשליProverbsכז27כו26"כְּבָשִׂיםlambsלִלְבוּשֶׁךָ"for your clothingכָּךְsoאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesבְּפֵרוּשׁin the explanation ofמָשָׁלmetaphorזֶהthisדְּבָרִיםmattersשֶׁהֵןthat they areכִּבְשׁוֹנוֹthe secretsשֶׁלofעוֹלָםthe worldיִהְיוּshall beלִלְבוּשְׁךָfor your clothingכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayלְךָfor youלְבַדְּךָaloneוְאַלand do notתִּדְרשׁexpoundאוֹתָםthemבָּרַבִּים.in publicוַעֲלֵיהֶםand on themאָמַרsaidמשליProverbsה5יז17"יִהְיוּthey shall beלְךָfor youלְבַדֶּךָaloneוְאֵיןand notלְזָרִיםfor strangersאִתָּךְ".with youוַעֲלֵיהֶםand on themאָמַרsaidשירSong ofהשיריםSongsד4יא11"דְּבַשׁhoneyוְחָלָבand milkתַּחַתunderלְשוֹנֵךְ",your tongueכָּךְsoפֵּרְשׁוּexplainedחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe earlyדְּבָרִיםmattersשֶׁהֵןthat they areכִּדְבַשׁlike honeyוְחָלָבand milkיִהְיוּshall beתַּחַתunderלְשׁוֹנְךָ:your tongue
This halacha outlines the strict conditions under which the deepest secrets of the Torah, such as Ma'aseh Merkavah, may be transmitted only to a single, exceptionally wise student.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by establishing the mitzvos of loving and fearing Hashem, explaining that these middos are awakened when we contemplate the greatness of His creations. The Rambam then categorizes all creation into three groups: physical things that change, permanent physical bodies like the stars and spheres, and purely spiritual forms without any physical matter, which are the angels. He explains that the physical descriptions of angels in the Torah are merely prophetic metaphors, as they have no physical form or weight. Instead, they are structured in ten spiritual levels, from the holy chayyot down to the ishim, who communicate with the prophets. The Rambam concludes by explaining that while these lofty spiritual beings have immense knowledge of Hashem, even the highest angel cannot fully comprehend the Creator, whose knowledge, life, and Essence are completely one.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Rambam is teaching us a fundamental secret about how a Yid builds a real, living relationship with Hashem. We often think that love and fear of Hashem are emotions that just have to strike us like lightning, or that they are reserved only for the greatest tzaddikim. But the Torah commands every single one of us, "And you shall love... and you shall fear." How is this possible? The Rambam reveals the path: it comes through active contemplation. When you stop to look at the world, from the vastness of the stars to the intricate design of a tiny leaf, you are looking at the wisdom of the Creator.
This contemplation is a two-step movement of the soul. First, when you see the infinite wisdom and beauty in creation, your heart is pulled close; you are filled with a deep yearning and love to know Hashem. But in the very next moment, as you realize how small and limited you are standing before the Master of the universe, you naturally recoil in healthy awe and yiras Shamayim. True avodah requires both. We cannot serve Hashem properly with love alone, which can lead to familiarity, nor with fear alone, which can lead to coldness. We need the heartbeat of both running and returning.
Today, take just two minutes to step away from your busy schedule, look at something in Hashem's creation, even just the breath in your lungs or the sky outside your window, and think: "The Creator of the entire universe made this with infinite wisdom, and He wants a relationship with me."