Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam takes us on a breathtaking journey through the physical structure of the cosmos, showing us the wondrous design of Hashem's creation. We learn about the nine great spheres that surround the world, starting from the sphere of the moon closest to us, all the way up to the ninth sphere which encompasses everything and rotates daily from east to west. The Rambam explains how these spheres are pure and refined, layered like the peels of an onion, and completely free of physical properties like weight, color, taste, or smell.
We also delve into the calculations of astronomy, the sizes of the celestial bodies—including how the sun and moon compare to the size of the Earth—and the twelve mazalos (constellations) mapped out by the early Sages. Most beautifully, the Rambam reveals the inner life of these creations, explaining that the stars and spheres are not dead matter, but are actually endowed with a neshama, knowledge, and intellect, standing in constant recognition and praise of their 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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סֵדֶר תִּשְׁעַת הַגַּלְגַּלִּים וּמַעֲרֶכֶת הַכּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 1 · The Order of the Nine Spheres and the Arrangement of the Stars
הַגַּלְגַּלִיםThe spheresהֵםtheyהַנִּקְרָאִיםare calledשָׁמַיִםheavensוְרָקִיעַand firmamentוּזְבוּלand habitationוַעֲרָבוֹת.and skiesוְהֵםand theyתִּשְׁעָהare nineגַּלְגַּלִּים.spheresגַּלְגַּלThe sphereהַקָּרוֹבthe closestמִמֶּנּוּto usהוּאitגַּלְגַּלis the sphere ofהַיָּרֵחַ.the moonוְהַשֵּׁנִיAnd the secondשֶׁלְּמַעְלָהwhich is aboveמִמֶּנּוּitהוּאitגַּלְגַּלis the sphereשֶׁבּוֹin which isהַכּוֹכָבthe starהַנִּקְרָאcalledכּוֹכָב.KochavוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereשְׁלִישִׁיthe thirdשֶׁלְּמַעְלָהwhich is aboveמִמֶּנּוּitשֶׁבּוֹin which isנֹגַהּ.NogahוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereרְבִיעִיthe fourthשֶׁבּוֹin which isחַמָּה.the sunוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereחֲמִישִׁיthe fifthשֶׁבּוֹin which isמַאֲדִים.Ma'dimוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereשִׁשִּׁיthe sixthשֶׁבּוֹin which isכּוֹכַבthe star ofצֶדֶק.TzedekוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereשְׁבִיעִיthe seventhשֶׁבּוֹin which isשַׁבְּתַי.ShabbtaiוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereשְׁמִינִיthe eighthשֶׁבּוֹin which isשְׁאָרthe rest ofכָּלallהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsשֶׁנִּרְאִיםthat are seenבָּרָקִיעַ.in the skyוְגַלְגַּלAnd the sphereתְּשִׁיעִיthe ninthהוּאitגַּלְגַּלis the sphereהַחוֹזֵרthat revolvesבְּכָלin everyיוֹםdayמִןfromהַמִּזְרָחthe eastלַמַּעֲרָבto the westוְהוּאand itהַמַּקִּיףencompassesוּמְסַבֵּבand surroundsאֶת—הַכּל.everythingוְזֶהAnd thisשֶׁתִּרְאֶהthat you seeכָּלallהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsכְּאִלּוּas ifהֵםtheyכֻּלָּםallבְּגַלְגַּלare in a sphereאֶחָדoneוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיֵּשׁthere isבָּהֶןamong themזֶהthis oneלְמַעְלָהaboveמִזֶּה.this oneמִפְּנֵיis becauseשֶׁהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםthe spheresטְהוֹרִיםare pureוְזַכִּיםand clearכִּזְכוּכִיתlike glassוּכְסַפִּירand like sapphireלְפִיכָךְthereforeנִרְאִיםare seenהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsשֶׁבַּגַּלְגַּלthat are in the sphereהַשְּׁמִינִיthe eighthמִתַּחַתbelowגַּלְגַּלthe sphereהָרִאשׁוֹן:the first
This halacha describes the structure of the physical universe according to medieval cosmology, detailing the nine concentric spheres and their transparency.
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מִבְנֵה הַגַּלְגַּלִּים וּתְנוּעָתָםHalacha 2 · The Structure and Movement of the Celestial Spheres
כָּלEveryגַּלְגַּלsphereוְגַלְגַּלand sphereמִשְּׁמוֹנָהof the eightהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםspheresשֶׁבָּהֶןthat in themהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsנֶחְלָקis dividedלְגַלְגַּלִּיםinto spheresהַרְבֵּהmanyזֶהthisלְמַעְלָהaboveמִזֶּהthisכְּמוֹlikeגִּלְדֵיthe layers ofבְּצָלִים.onionsמֵהֶןof themגַּלְגַּלִּיםspheresסוֹבְבִיםrevolveמִמַּעֲרָבfrom westלְמִזְרָח.to eastוּמֵהֶןand of themסוֹבְבִיםrevolveמִמִּזְרָחfrom eastלְמַעֲרָבto westכְּמוֹlikeהַגַּלְגַּלthe sphereהַתְּשִׁיעִיthe ninthהַחוֹזֵרthat returnsמִמִּזְרָחfrom eastלְמַעֲרָב.to westוְכֻלָּןand all of themאֵיןthere is notבֵּינֵיהֶםbetween themמָקוֹםspaceפָּנוּי:empty
The Rambam describes the physical structure of the celestial spheres, comparing them to the layers of an onion.
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הֶעְדֵּר הַתְּכוּנוֹת הַגַּשְׁמִיּוֹת מִן הַגַּלְגַּלִּיםHalacha 3 · The Absence of Physical Properties and Colors in the Celestial Spheres
כָּלAllהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםthe spheresאֵינָןare notלֹאnotקַלִּיםlightוְלֹאand notכְּבֵדִיםheavyוְאֵיןand there is notלָהֶםto themלֹאnotעַיִןa colorאָדֹםredוְלֹאand notעַיִןa colorשָׁחֹרblackוְלֹאand notשְׁאָרotherעֵינוֹת.colorsוְזֶהand thisשֶׁאָנוּthat weרוֹאִיןseeאוֹתָםthemכְּעֵיןlike the color ofהַתְּכֵלֶתthe blueלְמַרְאִיתto the sight ofהָעַיִןthe eyeבִּלְבַדaloneהוּאit isלְפִיaccording toגֹּבַהּthe height ofהָאֲוִיר.the atmosphereוְכֵןand likewiseאֵיןthere is notלָהֶםto themלֹאnotטַעַםtasteוְלֹאand notרֵיחַsmellלְפִיaccording toשֶׁאֵיןthat there are notאֵלּוּtheseהַמְאֹרָעִיןphenomenaמְצוּיִיןfoundאֶלָּאexceptבַּגּוּפוֹתin the bodiesשֶׁלְּמַטָּהthat are belowמֵהֶן:them
The Rambam explains that the celestial spheres do not possess physical qualities like weight, color, taste, or smell, as these properties only exist in lower earthly matter.
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צוּרַת הַגַּלְגַּלִּים וּמַעֲמַד הָאָרֶץ בָּאֶמְצַעHalacha 4 · The Spherical Shape of the Orbs and the Earth Suspended in Their Midst
כָּלAllהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםthe spheresהָאֵלּוּtheseהַמַּקִּיפִיןwhich surroundאֶת—הָעוֹלָםthe worldהֵןareעֲגֻלִּיןsphericalכְּכַדּוּרlike a ballוְהָאָרֶץand the Earthתְּלוּיָהis suspendedבָּאֶמְצַע.in the middleוְיֵשׁand there areלְמִקְצָתto someמִןofהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsגַּלְגַּלִּיםspheresקְטַנִּיםsmallשֶׁהֵןthat they areקְבוּעִיםfixedבָּהֶןin themוְאֵיןand notאוֹתָםthoseהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםspheresמַקִּיפִיןsurroundאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe Earthאֶלָּאbutגַּלְגַּלa sphereקָטָןsmallשֶׁאֵינוֹwhich does notמַקִּיףsurroundקָבוּעַis fixedבַּגַּלְגַּלin the sphereהַגָּדוֹלthe largeהַמַּקִּיף:which surrounds
The Rambam describes the astronomical structure of the universe, explaining that the spheres are spherical and the Earth is positioned at the center.
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מִסְפַּר הַגַּלְגַּלִּים וְחָכְמַת הַתְּקוּפוֹת וְהַמַּזָּלוֹתHalacha 5 · The Number of Spheres and the Science of Astronomy
מִסְפַּרThe number ofכָּלallהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםthe spheresהַמַּקִּיפִיןthat surroundאֶת—כָּלallהָעוֹלָםthe worldשְׁמוֹנָהis eighteenעָשָׂר.·וּמִסְפַּרand the number ofהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםthe spheresהַקְּטַנִּיםthe smallשֶׁאֵינָןthat do notמַקִּיפִיןsurroundשְׁמוֹנָה.is eightוּמִמַּהֲלַךְAnd from the movement ofהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsוִידִיעַתand the knowledge ofשִׁעוּרthe measure ofסְבִיבָתָןtheir revolutionבְּכָלin everyיוֹםdayוּבְכָלand in everyשָׁעָהhourוּמִנְּטִיָּתָןand from their inclinationמֵרוּחַfrom the direction ofדָּרוֹםsouthלְרוּחַto the direction ofצָפוֹןnorthוּמֵרוּחַand from the direction ofצָפוֹןnorthלְרוּחַto the direction ofדָּרוֹםsouthוּמִגָּבְהָןand from their heightמֵעַלaboveהָאָרֶץthe earthוּקְרִיבָתָןand their closenessיִוָדַּעwill be knownמִסְפַּרthe number ofכָּלallאֵלּוּtheseהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםspheresוְצוּרַתand the form ofהֲלִיכָתָןtheir pathוְדֶרֶךְand the way ofהַקָּפָתָן.their orbitוְזוֹAnd thisהִיאisחָכְמַתthe science ofחֶשְׁבּוֹןcalculatingתְּקוּפוֹתseasonsוּמַזָּלוֹת.and constellationsוּסְפָרִיםAnd booksרַבִּיםmanyחִבְּרוּcomposedבָּהֶןabout themחַכְמֵיthe wise men ofיָוָן:Greece
The Rambam explains the total number of celestial spheres and how their movements form the basis of astronomical calculations.
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חֲלֻקַּת הַגַּלְגַּל הַתְּשִׁיעִי לִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מַזָּלוֹתHalacha 6 · The Division of the Ninth Sphere into Twelve Constellations
גַּלְגַּלThe sphereהַתְּשִׁיעִיthe ninthשֶׁהוּאwhich isמַקִּיףencompassingאֶת—הַכּלeverythingחִלְּקוּהוּdivided itהַחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesהַקַּדְמוֹנִיםthe earlyלִשְׁנֵיםinto twelveעָשָׂר·חֲלָקִים.sectionsכָּלeveryחֵלֶקsectionוְחֵלֶקand sectionהֶעֱלוּthey assignedלוֹto itשֵׁםa nameעַלonשֵׁםthe name ofצוּרָהa formזוֹthisשֶׁתֵּרָאֶהthat appearedבּוֹin itמִןfromהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsשֶׁלְּמַטָּהthat are belowמִמֶּנּוּitשֶׁהֵםwhich theyמְכֻוָּנִיםare alignedתַּחְתָּיו.underneath itוְהֵםand theyהַמַּזָּלוֹתare the constellationsשֶׁשְּׁמוֹתָםwhose names areטָלֶה.lambשׁוֹר.oxתְּאוֹמִים.twinsסַרְטָן.crabאַרְיֵה.lionבְּתוּלָה.virginמֹאזְנַיִם.scalesעַקְרָב.scorpionקֶשֶׁת.bowגְּדִי.goatדְּלִי.bucketדָּגִים:fish
The Rambam explains how the early Sages divided the outermost sphere into twelve sections named after the constellations.
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הַגַּלְגַּל הַתְּשִׁיעִי וּתְנוּעַת הַכּוֹכָבִים בַּגַּלְגַּל הַשְּׁמִינִיHalacha 7 · The Ninth Sphere and the Movement of Stars in the Eighth Sphere
גַּלְגַּלThe sphereהַתְּשִׁיעִיthe ninthעַצְמוֹitselfאֵיןthere is notבּוֹin itלֹאnotחֲלוּקָהdivisionוְלֹאand notצוּרָהshapeמִכָּלfrom any ofהַצּוּרוֹתthe shapesהָאֵלּוּtheseוְלֹאand notכּוֹכָב.starאֶלָּאratherבְּחִבּוּרby the connection ofהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsשֶׁבַּגַּלְגַּלthat are in the sphereהַשְּׁמִינִיthe eighthהוּאit isשֶׁיֵּרָאֶהthat there is seenבְּכוֹכָבִיםin starsגְּדוֹלִיםlargeשֶׁבּוֹthat are in itתַּבְנִיתthe form ofהַצּוּרוֹתthe shapesהָאֵלּוּtheseאוֹorקָרוֹבcloseמֵהֶן.to themוְאֵלּוּand theseהַשְּׁנֵיםthe twelveעָשָׂר·צוּרוֹתshapesלֹאnotהָיוּwereמְכֻוָּנוֹתalignedכְּנֶגֶדoppositeאוֹתָןthoseהַחֲלָקִיםthe partsאֶלָּאexceptבִּזְמַןat the time ofהַמַּבּוּלthe floodשֶׁאָזfor thenהֶעֱלוּthey gaveלָהֶןto themשֵׁמוֹתnamesאֵלּוּ.theseאֲבָלbutבַּזְּמַןat the timeהַזֶּהthisכְּבָרalreadyסָבְבוּthey have turnedמְעַט.a littleלְפִיbecauseשֶׁכָּלthat all ofהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsשֶׁבְּגַלְגַּלthat are in the sphereשְׁמִינִיeighthכֻּלָּםall of themסוֹבְבִיםturnכְּמוֹlikeהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunוְהַיָּרֵחַand the moonאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁהֵןthat theyסוֹבְבִיןturnבִּכְבֵדוּת.with heavinessוְחֵלֶקand a portionשֶׁיִּתְהַלֵּךְthat travelsהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunוְהַיָּרֵחַand the moonכְּנֶגְדּוֹopposite itבְּיוֹםin a dayאֶחָדoneיֵלֵךְwill travelכְּנֶגְדּוֹopposite itכָּלeveryכּוֹכָבstarמֵהֶןof themבְּקֵרוּבapproximatelyמִשִּׁבְעִיםseventyשָׁנָה:years
This halacha explains that the ninth sphere has no stars or divisions, and that the constellations of the eighth sphere slowly shift over time.
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גֹּדֶל הַכּוֹכָבִים וְהַמַּזָּלוֹת בְּיַחַס לָאָרֶץ וְלַשֶּׁמֶשׁHalacha 8 · The Relative Sizes of the Stars, the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun
כָּלAllהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsהַנִּרְאִיםthat are seenיֵשׁthere areמֵהֶןof themכּוֹכָבִיםstarsקְטַנִּיםsmallשֶׁהָאָרֶץthat the Earthגְּדוֹלָהis largerמֵאֶחָדthan oneמֵהֶן.of themוְיֵשׁand there areמֵהֶןof themכּוֹכָבִיםstarsגְּדוֹלִיםlargeשֶׁכָּלthat eachאֶחָדoneמֵהֶןof themגָּדוֹלis largerמִןthanהָאָרֶץthe Earthכַּמָּהseveralפְּעָמִים.timesוְהָאָרֶץand the Earthגְּדוֹלָהis largerמִןthanהַיָּרֵחַthe moonכְּמוֹapproximatelyאַרְבָּעִיםfortyפְּעָמִים.timesוְהַשֶּׁמֶשׁand the sunגְּדוֹלָהis largerמִןthanהָאָרֶץthe Earthכְּמוֹapproximatelyמֵאָהone hundredוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyפְּעָמִים.timesנִמְצָאit turns outהַיָּרֵחַthe moonאֶחָדis oneמִשֵּׁשֶׁתof sixאֲלָפִיםthousandוּשְׁמוֹנֶהand eightמֵאוֹתhundredמִןofהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunבְּקֵרוּב.approximatelyוְאֵיןand there is notבְּכָלamong allהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsכּוֹכָבa starגָּדוֹלlargerמִןthanהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunוְלֹאand notקָטָןsmallerמִכּוֹכָבthan Kochavשֶׁבַּגַּלְגַּלwhich is in the sphereהַשֵּׁנִי:the second
The Rambam describes the astronomical proportions of the celestial bodies, comparing the sizes of the Earth, moon, sun, and other stars.
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הַכָּרַת הַכּוֹכָבִים וְהַגַּלְגַּלִּים אֶת בּוֹרְאָםHalacha 9 · The Intellect and Recognition of the Stars and Spheres
כָּלAllהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsוְהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםand the spheresכֻּלָּןall of themבַּעֲלֵיpossessנֶפֶשׁa soulוְדֵעָהand knowledgeוְהַשְׂכֵּלand intellectהֵם.they areוְהֵםand they areחַיִּיםaliveוְעוֹמְדִיםand standingוּמַכִּירִיןand recognizingאֶת—מִיthe Oneשֶׁאָמַרwho spokeוְהָיָהand becameהָעוֹלָם.the worldכָּלeveryאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneלְפִיaccording toגָּדְלוֹhis sizeוּלְפִיand according toמַעֲלָתוֹhis levelמְשַׁבְּחִיםpraiseוּמְפָאֲרִיםand glorifyלְיוֹצְרָםtheir Creatorכְּמוֹlikeהַמַּלְאָכִים.the angelsוּכְשֵׁםand just asשֶׁמַּכִּירִיןthey recognizeהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heכָּךְsoמַכִּירִיןthey recognizeאֶת—עַצְמָןthemselvesוּמַכִּירִיןand they recognizeאֶת—הַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsשֶׁלְּמַעְלָהthat are aboveמֵהֶן.themוְדַעַתand the knowledge ofהַכּוֹכָבִיםthe starsוְהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםand the spheresמְעוּטָהis lessמִדַּעַתthan the knowledge ofהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsוּגְדוֹלָהand greaterמִדַּעַתthan the knowledge ofבְּנֵיhumanאָדָם:beings
This halacha explains that the celestial spheres and stars possess intellect and soul, recognizing their Creator and praising Him according to their level.
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אַרְבַּעַת הַיְסוֹדוֹת וְהַגּוּפִים שֶׁלְּמַטָּה מִגַּלְגַּל הַיָּרֵחַHalacha 10 · The Four Elements and Bodies Below the Sphere of the Moon
בָּרָאCreatedהָאֵלGodלְמַטָּהbelowמִגַּלְגַּלthe sphere ofהַיָּרֵחַthe moonגּלֶםmatterאֶחָדoneשֶׁאֵינוֹwhich is notכְּגלֶםlike the matter ofהַגַּלְגַּלִּים.the spheresוּבָרָאand He createdאַרְבַּעfourצוּרוֹתformsלְגלֶםfor matterזֶהthisוְאֵינָןand they are notכְּצוּרַתlike the form ofהַגַּלְגַּלִּיםthe spheresוְנִקְבַּעand was fixedכָּלeveryצוּרָהformוְצוּרָהand formבְּמִקְצָתin a portion ofגּלֶםmatterזֶה.thisצוּרָהThe formרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstצוּרַתthe form ofהָאֵשׁthe fireנִתְחַבְּרָהconnectedבְּמִקְצָתwith a portion ofגּלֶםmatterזֶהthisוְנִהְיָהand becameמִשְּׁנֵיהֶןfrom both of themגּוּףa body ofהָאֵשׁ.the fireוְצוּרָהand the formשְׁנִיָּהsecondצוּרַתthe form ofהָרוּחַthe windנִתְחַבְּרָהconnectedבְּמִקְצָתוֹwith a portion of itוְנִהְיָהand becameמִשְּׁנֵיהֶןfrom both of themגּוּףa body ofהָרוּחַ.the windוְצוּרָהand the formשְׁלִישִׁיתthirdצוּרַתthe form ofהַמַּיִםthe waterנִתְחַבְּרָהconnectedבְּמִקְצָתוֹwith a portion of itוְנִהְיָהand becameמִשְּׁנֵיהֶםfrom both of themגּוּףa body ofהַמַּיִם.the waterוְצוּרָהand the formרְבִיעִיתfourthצוּרַתthe form ofהָאָרֶץthe earthנִתְחַבְּרָהconnectedבְּמִקְצָתוֹwith a portion of itוְנִהְיָהand becameמִשְּׁנֵיהֶםfrom both of themגּוּףa body ofהָאָרֶץ.the earthנִמְצָאIt is foundלְמַטָּהbelowמִןfromהָרָקִיעַthe skyאַרְבָּעָהfourגּוּפִיןbodiesמֻחְלָקִיןdistinctזֶהthisלְמַעְלָהaboveמִזֶּהfrom thisוְכָלand eachאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneמַקִּיףencompassesאֶת—שֶׁלְּמַטָּהthat which is belowמִמֶּנּוּfrom itמִכָּלfrom allרוּחוֹתָיוits directionsכְּמוֹlikeגַּלְגַּל.a sphereהַגּוּףThe bodyהָרִאשׁוֹןfirstהַסָּמוּךְthe closeלְגַלְגַּלto the sphere ofהַיָּרֵחַthe moonהוּאitגּוּףis the body ofהָאֵשׁ.the fireלְמַטָּהbelowמִמֶּנּוּfrom itגּוּףis the body ofהָרוּחַ.the windלְמַטָּהbelowמִמֶּנּוּfrom itגּוּףis the body ofהַמַּיִם.the waterלְמַטָּהbelowמִמֶּנּוּfrom itגּוּףis the body ofהָאָרֶץ.the earthוְאֵיןand there is notבֵּינֵיהֶםbetween themמָקוֹםa placeפָּנוּיemptyבְּלֹאwithoutגּוּףa bodyכְּלָל:at all
The Rambam explains the creation of the four physical elements—fire, wind, water, and earth—and how they are arranged in concentric spheres beneath the heavens.
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חֹסֶר הַהַכָּרָה שֶׁל אַרְבַּעַת הַיְסוֹדוֹתHalacha 11 · The Lack of Consciousness in the Four Elements
אַרְבָּעָהFourגּוּפוֹתbodiesהָאֵלּוּtheseאֵינָםare notבַּעֲלֵיpossessors ofנֶפֶשׁa soulוְאֵינָםand they do notיוֹדְעִיםknowוְלֹאand do notמַכִּירִיםrecognizeאֶלָּאbutכְּגוּפִיםlike bodiesמֵתִים.deadוְיֵשׁand there isלְכָלto everyאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneמֵהֶםof themמִנְהָגa natureשֶׁאֵינוֹthat it does notיוֹדְעוֹknow itוְלֹאand does notמַשִּׂיגוֹcomprehend itוְאֵינוֹand it is notיָכוֹלableלְשַׁנּוֹתוֹ.to change itוְזֶהand thisשֶׁאָמַרwhich saidדָּוִדDovidתהיליםTehillimקמח148ז7"הַלְלוּPraiseאֶת—ה'Hashemמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe earthתַּנִּינִיםsea monstersוְכָלand allתְּהֹמוֹת"depthsתהיליםTehillimקמח148ח8"אֵשׁfireוּבָרָדand hailשֶׁלֶגsnowוְקִיטוֹר".and vaporוּבֵאוּרand the explanation ofעִנְיַןthe matter ofהַדְּבָרִיםthe wordsהַלְלוּהוּpraise Himבְּנֵיchildren ofאָדָםmanמִגְּבוּרוֹתָיוfrom His mighty deedsשֶׁתִּרְאוּthat you seeבָּאֵשׁin the fireוּבַבָּרָדand in the hailוּבִשְׁאָרand in the rest ofבְּרוּאִיםcreationsשֶׁתִּרְאוּthat you seeלְמַטָּהbelowמִןfromהָרָקִיעַthe heavenשֶׁגְּבוּרָתָםwhose powerתָּמִידalwaysנִכֶּרֶתis recognizableלַקָּטָןto the smallוְלַגָּדוֹל:and to the great
The Rambam explains that the four physical elements are inanimate and lack consciousness, and that scriptural calls for them to praise Hashem are actually directives for mankind to praise Him upon witnessing their power.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by detailing the order and movement of the nine celestial spheres and the planets within them, explaining their physical properties and how their transparent nature allows us to see through them. The Rambam outlines the total number of major and minor spheres, noting that the science of these orbits was studied by the Sages of Israel and the wise men of Greece alike, with our acceptance of these truths relying on solid proof rather than the identity of the author. After describing the twelve mazalos of the ninth sphere and the slow movement of the stars in the eighth sphere, the Rambam compares the physical sizes of the Earth, moon, and sun. He concludes with the powerful yesod that all stars and spheres possess a soul and intellect, and they actively praise and glorify Hashem according to their high spiritual level.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
When we look up at the night sky, we might see beautiful, silent, and cold spheres of light. But the Rambam reveals a breathtaking truth: these stars and spheres are not dead matter. They are alive, possessing a deep intellect and a profound awareness of Hashem. Each one, in its own unique orbit and according to its own stature, is constantly singing praises and glorifying its Creator, just like the holy angels.
Think about this for a moment. The sun, the moon, and the vast constellations are in a state of constant, conscious avodah. They know their Maker, and their very movement is a song of praise to Him. Yet, the Rambam notes that while their intellect is greater than ours, they have a fixed nature they cannot change. You, on the other hand, have something they will never possess: choice. When you choose to serve Hashem, your small whisper of praise carries a power that eclipses the grand song of the entire cosmos.
This changes how we look at the world around us. We are not living in a cold, mechanical universe. We are surrounded by a creation that is alive with the praise of Hashem. When you align your daily actions with the will of the Creator, you are not acting alone; you are joining the grand, cosmic choir of creation, bringing the ultimate purpose of the universe to its fulfillment.
Today, when you step outside and look at the sky, or even when you just feel the warmth of the sun, pause for ten seconds. Remind yourself that the creation around you is alive, knowing and praising Hashem, and make a conscious choice to join their song by doing your next mitzvah with joy and intention.