Unperplexed: Parsha Lessons from Maimonides's Guide of the Perplexed

The Holy Patient Why does the Rambam compare the Nazir to the Kohen Gadol? This week's episode explores a striking paradox: the Nazir is both a patient in need of treatment and a model of holiness. What can this teach us about struggle, self-discipline, and spiritual growth? Sources:Num. 6, Guide 3:48, Eight Chapters sec. 4 Pictured: Gabriël Metsu, Visit of the Physician

Why was the Ark carried on shoulders rather than transported by wagon? This week, we explore the Rambam’s surprising answer—and what it reveals about leadership, honor, and the responsibilities that cannot be delegated.

How long does the merit of the patriarchs really last? This week on Unperplexed , we explore a striking debate among the Sages—and the Rambam’s surprising answer. Why do Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov still matter after generations of failure and exile? And what did they do to merit an “eternal covenant”? More importantly: could we achieve something similar ourselves?

We often turn to great thinkers for answers. But what happens when they refuse to give them? This episode considers one of the most striking moments in the Guide of the Perplexed—and what it reveals about the nature of Torah study. Sources: Lev. 23:13, Introduction to Guide Part 3, Guide 3:46 Art by Sefira Lightstone

We all sin. But how do we feel when we do? The Sin Offerings are there to ask us this question. And to give us an answer.

Tzara'at is a gift. In fact, it's a good example of why punishments in general are so good and helpful for us. And it's something that we need to be prepared to learn from and imitate.

Sins and violations are not always treated equally in the Torah and that can seem arbitrary. Wouldn’t it make more sense for sins to be treated in the same way? As always, the Rambam helps us understand and lends a lesson for our lives.

Make it easy for people. Sin offerings could be very expensive. But what of someone who cannot afford to bring these animals for a sacrifice? This issue is addressed in our Parsha. And it's not just about sacrifices. Sources: Lev. chap. 5, Laws of Shegagot 1:3, 10:1-5, Guide 3:46.

What is the kavod , the “glory” of God, so often referred to in the Bible? It settled on Mount Sinai and Moses begged to see it. All the earth is filled with it and Jeremiah teaches us to render glory to God. But what is it? In this episode we will answer not only these questions but a more pressing one: where is God's glory today? Sources: Ex. 24:16, 33:18, 40:, Isaiah 6:3, Jer. 13:16, Ps. 29:9,1...

Nietzsche wasn’t wrong about everything. No, the will to power- pure human desire that crosses all moral boundaries- will never be Jewish. But he got something fundamentally right . We will call it the ‘Will to Shabbat.’ And we read about it in this week’s torah portion.

Why is blood forbidden? Is it inherently wrong, or did it once mean something rejected by the Torah? As we shall see, sometimes a cigar is not just a cigar and we are going to turn the mirror on ourselves and our actions to see what they really mean. Sources: Ex. 29:21, Guide 3:46

Our episode for Parshat Terumah raises some serious questions about the nature of Jewish Law and the Rambam's views in particular. So does the Rambam believe that Judaism requires building a third Temple? And if there are historical reasons behind the commandments, do we still need to keep them today? Tune in to this bonus episode to find out the answers and be sure to send any questions you have...

The truth is very important. But it is not sufficient. So we see in the Rambam's famous explanation for the commandment to build the Tabernacle. There is a great lesson here, as always. The Rambam's views raise some fundamental questions about Jewish Law, so look out for a bonus episode to follow.

Jewish belief is not enough, the Rambam says. This isn’t just about habits or culture- it’s about Jewish identity. And if we want that identity to last, we’ll need to learn the lessons of Shabbat. Sources: Ex. 20:10, Guide 2:31, Atomic Habits p. 36

God doesn’t change people. And we shouldn’t try to. In this week's episode, we see just how central this principle is to Torah. And then we think about how important it ought to be to us. Sources: Ex. 13:17, Guide 3:32, Avot 2:4

How do we overcome false ideas and ideals? We slaughter them publicly. This is the purpose of the Paschal lamb and a great lesson for our time.

What happened to Pharaoh's free will when God hardened his heart? And isn’t it unfair for God to punish Pharaoh for something he really didn’t have a choice in? These are great questions. And there are several ways we might think about the Rambam’s answer. Take a few minutes to explore what the Rambam thought and what it means for us. Sources: Eight Chapters, chapter 8, with commentary by Rabbi Yi...

Moshe was not always a prophet. First, he was a person inspired by the Spirit of God. And we can be too.

Who decides what’s prophecy- and who decides what to trust? And what surprising spiritual lesson is revealed when we learn the answers to these questions? Sources: Gen. 48:3, 35:6-11, Kings 1 3:15, Guide 2:32, 36, 39, 41, 45 Painting by Yoram Raanan

Why does Unkelos translate “I will go down with you to Egypt” literally—when he usually avoids any language that suggests God has a body? In this episode of Unperplexed , we follow the Rambam’s answer and discover a deep principle about prophecy, interpretation, and why reverence for great thinkers still matters today.

We usually think the Torah is deeply critical of our attachment to money and property. But what if the law itself assumes that attachment—and even takes it seriously? This episode explores a surprising Rambam, an anxious moment in the Yosef story, and what they reveal about human nature and the Torah’s legal wisdom. Sources: Guide 3:40, De’ot 3:1-2, Gen. 43:18 with commentaries.

The Rambam argues that sin offerings are so often goats because the brothers dipped Joseph's coat into goat blood. In fact, in just a few words, he reframes our understanding of offerings, sin, repentance, and Jewish peoplehood. And we learn of the debts we carry. Sources: Guide 3:46, Gen. 37:31

Yaakov dreams that he wrestles and angel and somehow comes out with a limp. Is this possible? And what does it mean? In fact, it contains the kernel of a great and life changing idea. Sources: Guide 2:42, 6, Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam to Gen. 32:26. Pictured: Gustave Doré, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1855)

Jacob dreams of angels climbing a ladder and God standing above them. But God doesn't stand and angels don't need to climb. So what does his dream actually mean? In one of the famous passages of the Guide, the Rambam explains and- in doing so- he explains what Jewish spirituality really is.

Rivkah found out that Esav was planning to kill Yaakov, so she sent him away. What did she hear and how? And what lesson does that contain for us? Gen. 27:41-42 with commentators, Guide 1:65, Pesachim 54b.