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

The High Priest atones for all those who enter the Temple in a state of impurity. But what about the people who violated the sanctity of the Temple on purpose? Why should the offering atone for them as well?

The lessons of the mysterious affliction known as Tzaraat pertain to us all, whether or not we know it. Lev. 13:45 with Ibn Ezra, Arakhin 16a, Num. 12:12, Nedarim 64b, Lev. 1411, Teshuva 7:2.

The king of the Khazars has a disturbing dream, one that just happens to explain what exactly went wrong with Nadav and Avihu.

Moshe made his brother Kohen, doing all that he was commanded. Yet, for just a moment, he hesitated. Sources: Lev. 8:1-4, 22-23. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, The Music of Ambivalence

The Sages teach that we can force someone to "get to yes" when it comes to bringing an Olah offering. How in the world does this work? Lev. 1:3, Sifra there, Arakhin 5:6, Rashi to Lev. 1:3, MT Gerushin 2:20, Rav Kook, Orot HaTeshuva 15:10 (trans. R. Shmuel Kurtz)

We do not usually value or like being bossed around. Yet, we might just be missing out on something essential.

The people of Israel cannot look Moshe in the face; they need some distance from him. Moshe, however, is prepared to see God. What is the difference between them and what does it have to do with the well known concept of the "evil eye"? Sources: Alter Blau, A Compendium of Discourses in Different Topics from the Mouth of the Gaon Rabbi Soloveitchik (Hadarom 61, p. 54-5.) Translation is my own. Ex....

For uniquely painful reasons, Moshe Rabbenu is not mentioned in our Parsha. This is all part of God's hiring and firing process.

Fain suddenly came to, jumped up, grabbed a pistol from within his pocket. Suprisingly, there is a connection between how Rashi sees a "terumah" and how we see Mr. Fain. Sources: Ex. 25:1-2 with Rashi The Family Parsha Book by Rabbi Shalom Hammer Leo Katz, Bad Acts and Guilty Minds, “Those Who Know Not What They Do”

Does anything beyond good intentions matter? Ex. 21:12 with Rashi, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Leadership in Turbulent Times

"Just don't be jealous." How can God issue a commandment we cannot possibly fulfill?

The Children of Israel seem delusional. What is wrong with them? And how should we manage our own unreasonable thoughts and expectations? Sources: Bava Kama 82a, Rabbi Soloveitchik Mesoras HaRav Comments to Beshalach 15-16, Rambam end of Temurah.

The first commandment the Children of Israel receive is a rather obscure choice. What made it so ripe for the moment? Sources: Ex, 12:1-2 with Mesoras HaRav Commentary to Sefer Shemos

Isn't a Navi someone that God speaks to? So how can Aharon be a Navi for Moshe?

Pharaoh does not attack Bnei Yisrael outright and not right away even though that is what he really wants. Why not?

"Who are they?" Why does Yaakov ask a question when he already knows the answer?

Some things are worth dying for. Knowing what they are can define us.

Forget the past! It's what Yosef does when he becomes a father. What he does next, however, complicates things considerably. Gen. 41:51 with Sechel Tov, Radak, Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam, Ralbag, Shadal, and Netziv. Contrast Rashi, haKetav vehaKaballah, and Rav Hirsch.

“Choose not to be harmed- and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed- and you haven’t been.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4:7) Why doesn't Yaakov take that path and what guidance does this offer us? Sources: Meditations 4:7 A Bhuddist Text from the Pali Canon Medium Collection (Chap. 87) cited in Walter Kauffman’s Critique of Religion and Philosophy, pp. 396-402

What does Yaakov teach his sons when he rebukes them?

Yaakov is upset that he can't sleep. But not all the time. What's the difference?

Why do we need to know how much Yitzchak enjoyed the food that his oldest son brought him? What does it say about Yitzchak and what do we learn from it?

Who is the Main Character of Parshat Chayei Sarah? Selected Sources: Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Marriage

How does the same Avraham who challenges God about the fate of Sedom quickly acquiesce to the sacrifice of his own son? Source: R. Nachum Rabinovich, Natural Morality and Torah Morality in Mesilot Bilvavam

What happened to all of the people who became students of Abraham and Sarah and what does that have to do with us? Gen. 21:33, 12:5, 18:19 Bereshit Rabbah 12:14 Rambam, Avoda Zara 1:3 with Yad Peshuta Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Go Forth from Your Land in Abraham’s Journey , pp. 57-58.