A New Pair of Spectacles for the Guide for the Perplexed
The expressive nature of the Hebrew language is revealed in its sound, its cadence and in the remarkable connection between words. Because Hebrew words are constructed from three (3) letter roots there is an interconnectedness between a vast array of words. Consider the word for eyeglasses: "Mishkafayim". The same root word is used to form "Hashkafat Olam": world view. The internal lesson is that our "Hashkafat Olam", world view, is a form of spectacles through which we view the world.
I was reminded of this notion of spectacles and worldview while reading the opening verses of our Torah reading this week. In Parshat Emor the Torah offers us an in depth look at the reality of the Priesthood. Who can offer a sacrifice, who amongst the Priesthood can participate in the holy rites of the Mishkan and who may not. The list of those forbidden to partake and the causes are disturbing to the modern ear. Physical challenges render Kohanim unfit for duty in the most important rituals. While we can attempt explanations the fact is that the entire system of sacrifices, of ritual purity and impurity appear so foreign for the vast majority of the Jewish community, as well as a God who demands such worship appear difficult and foreign to a significant number of Jews in the world today.
What are the proper "Mishkapfayim" to view such passages in order to gain a perspective that speaks in a meaningful way to those who live in a different world than that of the Torah. One person who understood this dilemma was Rambam. Amongst Moses Maimonides' writings was an extraordinary book entitled “The Guide for the Perplexed” in which he offers a bold, rational and thoughtful approach to an array of some of the greatest Jewish philosophic and theological issues of his day. The problem is that the "Moreh Nevuchim" proves too difficult for most readers to penetrate. It does not help that at times Maimonides writes in code to his reader. One would do well to have a pair of Jewish "Mishkafayim" in order to gain some understanding of The Guide for the Perplexed!
Recently, Micah Goodman published a book to address this exact issue entitled: “Maimonides and the Book that Changed Judaism: Secrets of the Guide for the Perplexed”. As a precocious young boy Micah Goodman began reading the guide and set about mastering its contents. He fully appreciated its importance and relevance for Jews living today and so he wrote a book for the modern Jew. The book became an immediate best seller in Israel with secular and religious Jews alike. The book has now been translated into English and it is a remarkable accomplishment.
I am so pleased that Micah Goodman will be our scholar in residence this Shabbat. Please join us on Friday night at 8:00 pm when he speaks about his book, or on Shabbat morning when his topic will be "The Judaism of the New Israel". At 1:30 pm I will be joined by Rabbi Shoshana Conover and Rabbi David Wolkenfeld as we respond to his thinking on Jewish leadership. During my studies at the Shalom Hartman Institute I have had the privilege of studying with Micah and can tell you with a true sense of surety that he has offered me a new "Haskafah", perspective, on whatever he has taught.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Michael Siegel
