Necessary Being and Prime Mover - Philosophy in Maimonides' Legal Code

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Necessary Being and Prime Mover: Philosophy in Maimonides' Legal Code

Although Maimonides' Mishneh Torah is a codification of Jewish law (halacha), we find places in this work where Maimonides addresses philosophical or theological ideas as well. Textual analysis of Maimonides' Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah (Laws [which are] the Foundations of the Torah.)

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Topics:	Halacha, Philosophy, Aristotle, Maimonides, Mishneh Torah (Rambam), G-d

By Israel Sandman

Dr. Israel Sandman is a Fellow at University College London’s Department of Hebrew & Jewish Studies. His areas of research include medieval Jewish thought and medieval Hebrew manuscripts.

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2 Comments

Chaya Buenos Aires November 8, 2020

Dear Rabbi Sandman,
This lecture helped me inmensely in writing a paper for a philosophy course in university. Having established the existence of a noncontingent prime mover which leads to the conclusion that anything resulting from it must be intentional by definition, therefore the universe must have a purpose; how would you go about elaborating said purpose from an anthropological point of view?
I'm aware this calls for a very extensive answer but I would appreciate any pointers or references you could offer!

A massive thank you for all the content on here! Reply

JT Chicago, IL June 7, 2012

UW-Madison I took Jewish Mysticism with Professor Sandman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the man! It was a great class. I hope you are doing well, Professor, and thanks for the videos. Reply