Maimonides at the Crossroads of Jewish Occultism, Magic and the Kabbalah

Rabbi Moses Maimonides is arguably the greatest Jewish philosopher in history. His commitment to Aristotelian rationalism is famous, but his writings are also known for esoteric dimension whereby Maimonides is thought to have hidden his true positions and motivations. In this way, he is truly an esoteric philosopher. In this episode, as part of a collaboration with ‪@LetsTalkReligion‬ and ‪@SeekersofUnity‬ , I want to explore what may to have been one of the esoteric motivations for his writings - to combat the proto-Kabbalah world of Merkavah Mysticism, Jewish Magic, and the Sefer Yetzirah's radical Metaphysical realism - all the while maintaining his own theory of prophecy as communion with the Divine Intellect. Further, I'll also explore how the explosive reaction to his writings may have helped to give birth to the Kabbalah as we know it.
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Sources and Further Reading:
Check out ‪@TheModernHermeticist‬ 's recent audio readings of Maimonides as well!
• On the Sabians and the...
• Selections from the Gu...
The Guide of the Perplexed (Pines trans.) - 978-0226502304 & 978-0226502311
Kellner - Maimonides' Confrontation with Mysticism - 978-1906764159
- Alexander Altmann, “Maimonides’ Attitude Toward Jewish Mysticism,” in Studies in Jewish Thought: An Anthology of German Jewish Scholarship, ed. Alfred Jospe (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1981), pp. 200-219
- Daniel Silver, Maimonidean Criticism and the Maimonidean Controversy 1180-1240 (London, 1965), 183.
- Elliot Wolfson, Abraham Abulafia, Kabbalist and Prophet; Hermeneutics, Theosophy and Theurgy, Cherub Press, Los Angeles, 2000, Introduction.
- Elliot Wolfson, “Beneath the Wings of the Great Eagle: Maimonides and Thirteenth-Century Kabbalah,” in Moses Maimonide, Würzburg: Ergon Verlag, 2004, pp. 209-237
- Felicia Waldman, ‘Some Considerations on Maimonnides’ influence on Mysticism’, Studia Judaica no.17 (2009).
- Gershom Scholem, ‘Mehoker limekkubal, Sefer Harambam’,Tarbiz, 6: 3 (1935), pp. 90-8 (Hebrew).
- Harvey, Warren Z. “Aspects of Jewish Philosophy in Medieval Catalonia.” In The Life and Times of Mosse ben Nahman, Girona: Ajuntament de Girona, 1994, pp. 141- 157
- Hava Tirosh-Samuelson, “Philosophy and Kabbalah, 1200-1600.” in The Cambridge Companion to Medieval Jewish Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, 2003, pp. 218-257;
- Joseph Citron, Maimonides and Mysticism (unpublished)
- Jonathan Dauber, “Competing Approaches to Maimonides in Early Kabbalah,” in The Cultures of Maimonideanism, ed. James T. Robinson (Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2009), pp. 57-88.
- Louis Jacobs, Attitudes of the Kabbalists and Hasidim towards Maimonides, in The Solomon Goldman Lectures, vol. v, ed. Byron L. Sherwin and Michael Carasik (Chicago Spertus College of Judaica Press, 1990, pp. 45-55
- Moshe Idel, “Maimonides and Kabbalah,” in Studies In Maimonides, Isadore Twersky (ed.), Harvard University Press, 1990.
- Moshe Idel, “Maimonides' Guide of the Perplexed and the Kabbalah” in Jewish History 18: 197-226, 2004.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Check out Zevi's Video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4eVlHyHq6mjeM0 Check out Filip's Video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpfTgoN3gtZ0is0 Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by becoming a monthly Patron - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel or a one time donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@Leigh Leigh magical characters from the Sefer HaRazim

[@missc2742]

Oh hey, your profile pic is a classic tsak/conjuring glyph! Never thought I'd come across it while watching a video on Rambam....

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@missc2742 tis!

[@missc2742]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Awesome. Very fitting!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@missc2742 I've done a whole episode on Mayan Bloodletting Mysticism as well!

[@SeekersofUnity]

Brilliant episode Dr. Sledgehammer. It’s an honor and a pleasure to be thinking and sharing alongside you, under the medieval shade of your wings ;)

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Just honored to work with you guys on such a great topic - kavod to you for pitching it. I'm blessed to know you guys.

[@ArielRyanBautista1313]

That's amazing, I love all three channels that participated in this colab before it occurred, and it did not disappoint. Love that nickname too.

[@tracyking4518]

Is this about the friends we met along the way? Asking for a friend

[@jeffaltier5582]

I love how supportive you are of other channels and people.

[@michaelkelly1267]

Been looking forward to this. I love the "Moses to Moses, there's none like Moses" line.

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

Yep I'm from NYC we have a Hospital in His name In Brooklyn, my mom was there once or twice!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, the specter of the Rambam is always around the corner!

[@middleburyastrology]

"...that the spheres and the stars possess souls and knowledge..." - Maimonides. Fascinating episode. I will watch again. Reason and science should naturally be allergic to throwing invisible threads to the divine. His language and thoughts are glorious.

[@doomguy9049]

What does "throwing invisible threads to the divine" mean? I've never heard the saying before and the context doesn't make it clear.

[@middleburyastrology]

@@doomguy9049 I suppose, I only mean to say that using reason or science to connect ourselves to some divine order as Maimonides appears to attempt feels like a contradiction from the outset, no matter how much we want to show 'proof' that it is possible. Reason and science do not appear capable of creating thoughts (thoughts=threads) that can serve this connection. The invisible thread is the thought matrix that holds any belief together within us, thats how I use this language. Don't know if this helps.

[@ars-almadel_salomonis9680]

​@middlebury astrology for what its worth, that was pretty good. Cheers.

[@mjr_schneider]

11:11 You _almost_ have your Zoomer terminology correct. It's called "vague-posting". I love the idea of the Guide to the Perplexed being a medieval vaguepost lol.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yeah....that, it's that.

[@anthonystark6379]

...yeah millennials had it as vagueblogging lmao

[@catoelder4696]

What a wonderful explanation! I had no idea what Maimonides contributions to philosophy were. PS: The jokes get better with each episode.

[@andrewkuiper8831]

The project of Maimonides and its transformation by Abulafia reminds me of the relationship of Spinoza to Schelling. Both examples of a rationalist philosophical mysticism being refurbished as a positive mystical philosophy

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

This is a wonderful homology

[@WhoeverNevermind]

As an spanish person that lives in Córdoba, yes. There are many, many things called "Maimónides" here lol Very interesting video, as always. I read his Guide for the perplexes a long time ago, and didnt find it very interesting at that time. But, from the perspective that you offer, it is indeed a fascinating thinker. I might go back to him again soon. I wish i could read anything other than spanish and english tho. I really envy your expertise in all these ancient languages. Keep up the good work!

[@antoinebressani3746]

Please do "excavate those esoteric positions in another episode" (9:52). In a recent seminar, one guest lecturer (Guadalupe González Diéguez) spoke to us about the 'hidden motives' of the Guide for the Perplexed and had read us a fascinating article on the topic as well -- and I could not get enough. I remember especially something about Maimonides' comment on the transformation of Moses' staff into a snake ...

[@lapurta22]

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Passover Dr. Sledge. Many thanks for all you do.

[@patrickbrennan1981]

Thanks for the shout out Justin!

[@Djimenez77]

I just finished the first volume (in Spanish is divided in three) of the Guide and... yeah, it was not very fun. But after this video I am encouraged and excited to finish it. What an amazing video, Dr. Sledge.

[@edwardspencer3906]

Love your lectures! Along with archeology Professor Finkel, I could listen to the two of you ALL day long! To my family's chagrin and my pleasure!

[@FlavumSignum]

Love this, the idea that Rambam would himself be influential on an idea on mysticism is just a great topic to talk about. חג פסח שמח!

[@user-vg1cn4if4x]

Bravo! Wonderful work you’ve done here, Dr. Sledge, as usual. It’s wild that you just posted this, as a friend and I were just talking about Maimonides just the other day…which kind of speaks volumes about the nature of that friendship…lol. Either way, I just found it to be really cool and wanted to thank you, once again, for all your scholarly endeavors that you so gracefully share with the world. I hope that you and your family had a Nice Pesach. Much Love and Blessings!

[@djjinxx4965]

I've been waiting for you to make this video before I dived into the guide to the perplexed. Thank you for your fantastic work Dr. Sledge!!!

[@cuzned1375]

14:40 “Because of course you were.” 😆 SO glad i finally found this channel: interesting, informative, AND fun.

[@OmMyGod888]

Amazing! I knew if anyone had this information, it would be you, Dr. Sledge! Thank you so much Justin, for sharing these amazing texts that most people don’t get the pleasure of encountering let alone understanding. Mr. ism is the perfect mirror for psychology and an excellent guide for the spiritual journey. One must seek within point blank.the view on the Bible is particularly enlightening, because when the stories become ludicrous, they become more important and require deeper thought, but lack of knowledge of biblical symbolism leaves billions of people on this planet dumb and blind.

[@justinward3218]

As someone who considers himself a student of Thomas Aquinas, I just loved your introduction to Maimonides!

[@eyeofgnosis558]

I knew very little about Moses Maimonides until today. After listening to your brilliant video, and the companion videos of Seekers of Unity and Let's Talk Religion, I find myself completely understanding this very wise and insightful man. Now to read The Guide for the Perplexed :D

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I very much doubt you completely understand him after watching a few videos but, yes, onto the Guide!

[@eyeofgnosis558]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Let's just say this understanding may be coming from the same source (still trying to put it into words myself a year later, which is not easy to say the least but this man did it :D)

[@eyeofgnosis558]

But yes, certainly more understanding of another's perspective is needed on my part :)

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Fantastic video as always!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Many thanks, friend!

[@rizj]

Love your video Dr Sledge! I was brought here by Filip's channel. Now a subscriber. Look forward to more of your works. Thanks!

[@Angayasse]

What an awesome channel, with awesome content, engaging, funny, supportive and scholarly, I just love it. Subbed instantly!

[@gelayegudisa9554]

Good to see three young intellectual like you working together, this gives me hope!

[@ahlemarkustruedsson3498]

sent here by let's talk religion. and have subscribed. thank you for upgrading our knowledge

[@shaynemurray6351]

Thanks Dr Justin very informative delivered in your unique scholarly & dry wit style as usual.

[@ThisUnifiedField]

You are a pure joy to listen to! Thank you

[@polyatomicdog]

thank you for keeping me company as i work through these long nights :)

[@dexocube]

You smashed it Dr Sledge! I hadn't even heard of this geezer before today, now I wanna read him. I can see watching this channel is gonna wind up costing me an arm and a leg.

[@larrycheek3588]

Thanks. Nice lighting!

[@artkoenig9434]

Thanks for your detailed exploration of the Great Eagle. I have come away less perplexed than before!

[@papprekki]

I'm your biggest fan. I'm so glad i found your channel and I went through the whole back catalogue in a few weeks.

[@Seeker_206]

Your channel is amazing. My favorite channel now. Good work thank you for the excellent content.

[@kevingoodrich4645]

Wow this was a truly well spoken and well made lesson. Thank you so much for sharing! I am now very much a fan of Maimonides.

[@nihany7460]

Thank you so so much for this. Thank you for your time. Thank you for sharing all this information with us.

[@mdlahey3874]

A particularly fine episode, Dr. S. Thank you!

[@justgone123]

Currently in the process of overcoming financial blockages, I will offer my support when Iaccomplishthisgoal. I love your work here. Shalom!

[@andythedishwasher1117]

Per your recommendation, I read Persecution and the Art of Writing by Leo Strauss where he analyzes Maimonides' techniques of "writing between the lines", as he puts it. It was quite the thinker. I'm very excited to hear your take on him.

[@ArleynH]

Amazing as always 🖤🖤🖤 your channel is a treasure

[@luxinvictus9018]

"Hey Maimon, what do you believe" "Various things" "Like what?" "Like things.." "Like the stuff you write about in all your books" "Oh no, I dont believe in any of that at all" "So...what do you actually believe" "Various things.."

[@felipeassis9785]

A true wise Man. Sometimes I light a candle and ask G'd blessings on his merits

[@ZombieHitler]

I absolutely LOVE your lectures! Such Intellect! Such diligent Research! THIS is the good stuff!

[@rsorry]

"Medieval shade is my favorite." 😂

[@shauniebnaturalista6672]

Pure excellence, Dr. Justin. Thank you.

[@DarthenosC9]

Then you for the historical and academic insight into this topic.

[@beauwhitlock5034]

I'd love to hear you do an episode about Manley P. Hall. I've learned so much from him about esoteric things.

[@KyleBDoeden]

In another one of your videos you described how the body of God would look using the measurements they claimed, and to me it sounds a lot like the dimensions (proportionally) of the Sensory Homonculus. (For anyone who doesn't know, The Sensory Homonculus is a depiction of the body where the size of the body part is determined by the amount of sensory brain space it takes up.) I think that's really interesting, because I could totally see someone in a meditative or otherwise heightened state of awareness being more aware of the difference in the amount of information being sent by different parts of the body. How they translated that information into the dimensions of the body of God is beyond me, but it's fun to think about!

[@tanshihus1]

The point was to heighten the otherworldly nature of the Deity and the divide between man and the Divine.

[@davidcauley9400]

Sounds well reasoned and possible to me.

[@jeremysmith4620]

Ah, the celestial proletariat. "From each according to their order, to each according to God's needs," isn't that the famous quote by the angel Karlkadael Marxatron?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

All you have to lose are your wings!

[@Gilgaemesh]

This channel is so Educational.

[@okasa64]

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon you." ~ The Prophet Jules

[@witness4justice]

Thank You!

[@TziviaKay]

Rambam 🙏 one of my very favorites! Thank you! There is a Maimonides hospital in New York, BP. 🙏

[@Alice-mv9pj]

That sculpture is in a beautiful place in Cordoba,Cordoba is beautiful.

[@annhenry6056]

I love that you referenced Earth Girls are Easy!! Ha, brilliant.

[@martinseptimryden7272]

Sweet content, this was some heavy wisdom 😌

[@nathanpang7791]

A great prophet in our own time… indeed. Thanks for the great video. Several rewatches later im picking it up.

[@EthanMallory]

Thank you for your service

[@gen1exe]

I never knew about these controversial aspects of Rambam's philosophy (regarding predicates and the "in se"). Fascinating.

[@davide2802]

Hey there, this one is off topic but wanted to see if you ever had the idea of reading Philip K Dick's Exegesis. It's not an easy read but i would consider it a kind of modern esoterica. Would love to know what you think of his ideas regarding God and existence. Love your channel as always!

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

Awesome video!

[@kylesty6728]

I really liked this as always, but, if you ever wanted to do a follow up episode about theories regarding his esoteric teachings it would be much appreciated. As you say, he alludes to a deeper teaching and plays devil’s advocate throughout the text, so it’s never very clear where his real stance is, or what his deepest teachings are (ironically, just like Plato!). Just a thought. ❤️

[@axelseaton8420]

You have said, to paraphrase, 'Mysticism is not rational, not irrational, just not rational' I have been listening to your series on Kabbalah again and the following occurred to me. You also said something like, 'Mystical just means there's more to it, than just following the steps, like science' We are both smart guys, you are a Doctor and I am an engineering graduate. I put forward the proposition, that you will be almost as clueless as me, trying to understand The Besht, as I would be at understanding Einstein's work. We can both pick up, where the respective idea is going and some of the steps, but as a whole, it is almost incomprehensible. There have always been clever guys, Hawking, Einstein, Newton, Duns, Aquinas et al. In the olden days, there was not so much science to ponder, so all that left was God and that is what the Brainiacs of history thought about

[@chocosym1]

Thank you. Your work is an inspiration.

[@krakendragonslayer1909]

5:20 If it was recorded in mid april, then you are in a room with easternward window, between 50 and 55 degree of geo attitude, between 6:30 AM and 8 AM (or the room is huge, then it was 2 hours later or up to 5 degree southwards).

[@viniciusazevedo4226]

Uau! That light...it means something! Greetings from Brazil!!

[@Ssatkan]

The vampire line cracked me up. Great one!

[@nikolas3491]

Lets talk religion brought me here.

[@seabreaze4243]

Finally, someone talking about Maimonides! How does he compare with Spinoza? are they polar opposites?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'm about em both

[@manuelgarcia3122]

Dr sledge qouting jules winnfield, just made my day.

[@theHUMANAUT1]

Dr. Sledge got a new window

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

just forgot to close the curtain and shot the episode near dawn!

[@theHUMANAUT1]

@@TheEsotericaChannel totally not a vampire

[@philipvalentini3112]

Great lesson!

[@larryslassitervideos.4100]

Nice and thout out. Like a new insight into all thing, acult. Thanks.

[@felipeassis9785]

I dream about enrolling a course as your academic pupil 😁🙌🏻

[@thhunter2]

thanks so much doctor! tremendo proyecto!

[@cesarpedreros109]

¡Gracias!

[@clarkefountain2258]

In Heaven as seen in my dreams, there is a large kitchen table piled high with books of lore and sitting around it are the greats of history (and Jewish history in particular, since the paving stones in that kitchen are all semiprecious stones and precious stones named in the mystical works). One wonders, then, who's cooking there? No doubt the best kugel is passed around... Your love for the topic shines through brightly in this episode.

[@SciPunk215]

So good !

[@daovideo9790]

Good one!

[@dcmurray6466]

Wow! Very intelligent video well thought out! You are the only person (except me) I have ever known to use the word "deracinated"! I know - I should get out more!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

What a great word!

[@christopherhawes9173]

Thanks!

[@Ricca_Day]

So.. at risk of derision.. which I actually don’t care about, I literally saw an angel one Thursday evening driving home from work. Earlier that morning, I had had a couple of prayers driving through to grad a bite on my way to work. The 1st prayer was for having the heart of being “ a cheerful giver” since inevitably I would sit at a traffic light and be approached by a panhandler or two on the way. The 2nd was a bit more wistful, asking to “see an angel.” As I sat at the light to turn off the main road, which was pretty crowded for that time of night.. around 8pm, I saw a middle aged black man at the front of the cue to turn left. He had a close clipped crew cut, military fatigues and a medium build, with a couple of boxes and a cardboard sign. Since I had some cash on me, I thought it was a great time to put my cheerful giving into practice, and as he walked back towards the column of cars waiting to turn left, I pawed around in my purse , but couldn’t find the $10 I thought I had seen earlier, only coming up with a measly $1. By the time I had the window down, he’d almost passed my vehicle, but I handed it to him, apologizing that it wasn’t more, checked my own conscience to be sure I actually meant that, and when I turned to look at his face, it had completely transformed! I could see stippled dark tan over his cheeks, but literally shining from Inside his body was a deep radiance that was nearly overwhelming. The whites of his eyes were also luminous, being a blue-white radiance with the irises swirls of deep blues, greens and browns, and the closely cropped sterotypical dark brown African hair had changed into softer curls of browns, ash blondes and wheat colored locks. I was on my Bluetooth talking to my bff up in Alabama, at the time, or I’d have probably thought I had hallucinated this, because I was speechless for the first 30 seconds or so, finally managing to stammer out, “ I just saw an angel.. I think I just saw an angel!” I was so shocked that I decided to turn around and go back, but by the time I could turn around in a church parking lot about a 1/2 mile down the road, my inner voice told me that if it had actually been an angel, he wouldn’t be there 3 minutes later when I got back.. and he certainly wasn’t. So while I certainly imagine he was wondering why he was panhandling for this silly little girl, I definitely believe he was there at the behest of the Creator on my behalf, effectively answering both my prayers in a singular fashion. It was a very amazing encounter, but he really wasn’t there to have a conversation or anything, clearly, just to answer my prayer, and serve as a reminder that my Lord listens to even our tiniest prayers. It really befuddled me for weeks afterwards, because I was worried that I had supposed to do something else other than that, but it seems it was just that simple. I got to practice charity and see an angel.. and still managed to get home in one piece, which in my town is probably, odds on.. the somewhat bigger miracle! Thanks for a wonderful lecture, as always, Dr. S. Blessings to you and all you cherish. Much Love.

[@MonkeyWhoWouldBeKing]

Justin, the terms you're looking for is 'subtweeting' (which is a type of 'vagueposting', but specifically vagueposting criticism or slights)

[@karsu]

Memonedes (said in a way my Greek homeboy would say), what a dope dude. :)

[@inkcap1002]

Great video as always thankyou. Could you please do a video on Abraham von worms and the Abramelon would be sooo appreciated 🙏 I recently bought the book and would like a professional opinion. Thankyou.

[@batbite_]

Would love to see you work together with Christopher Satoor on Böhme :)

[@sparrowthesissy2186]

The idea that we're some inert thing moved only by a greater force is a little similar to simulation theory. In that, we, like other AI, are just a collection of stored values, of data, and it's only once the greater software and hardware system picks up our data and makes changes to it, based on a greater set of rules, that we appear to move or change in our reality. Though in such a system, the continually animating mind wouldn't be the creator, the programmer, but instead the computer running our simulation.

[@charlottesimonin2551]

For a student of twenty first century physics with a grasp of contemporary cosmology and occasional Buddhist appreciation Maimonides as presented here sounds inspired by a mystical insight into a more nearly contemporary grasp of reality. Ein soph ?

[@zbeer570]

Since you did Maimonides, will you do an episode on his more astrologically inclined predecessor/older contemporary Abraham Ibn Ezra?

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Have a blessed Passover.

[@ltw1306]

12:42 "Ahvohdah zara(sp?), something we might translate as paganism, although that's a terrible translation for it." What would be your preferred translation? Also, how do you spell it? Very interesting video. Thank you for all the work you put into this channel. 👍

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Avodah Zara - "forms of religious practice anathema to Judaism"

[@anonimus966]

When translated roughly, it means "foreign/strange (act of) worship"

[@arete7884]

Have you done videos on Abramelin or any content regarding Holy guardian Angel, also interesting topic on role of demonic in journey to divine union tho that perspective is rare

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep

[@garyschomberger2291]

YES PLEASE!

[@Sabrowsky]

"subsequently burned in the street as heresy" At this point, having that happen to your works gotta be a badge of honor of sorts.

[@simonross6201]

fantastical !

[@briannacery9939]

That guy made me think!

[@jagnestormskull3178]

I would say that Sefer Yetzirah, the first document to outline the ten sefirot, is proto-kabbalah, or rather retroactively became it.

[@PriestessOfDada]

1. Thank you for the earth girls are easy joke. It was super predictable, but it was perfect. 2. Predicates: Am I way off base in thinking this sounds a lot like some of the stuff we've talked about from some of the christian mystics?

[@cesarpedreros109]

Do you hace any idea how much have I spent on books from this corner of the world because of your suggestions??!!! 😅😅 thank you so very much. Maybe someday something on tarot de marseille… thank you again