Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (5/6/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we had one goal: to finish READING the exceptions to the Rambam's rule of the middle path. We had to actively fight against the impulse to start analyzing in-depth in order to make sure that we finished. We did permit ourselves to raise questions, but we tried to keep our speculations about answers to a minimum until we made sure that we had gotten all of the facts. And guess what? We succeeded! We'll see where we pick up next week, after the dust has had some time to settle.
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות דעות ב:ג
 ----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (5/5/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we took another couple of baby steps in our understanding of Hilchos Deios. We started reading about the two exceptions to the middle path rule, but decided after reading the first one that we'd use the exception to understand the rule itself. This led to a protracted discussion about what makes the middle path "good," as preparation for understanding why the extremes are good in the cases of the exception. After much hairsplitting and terminology crunching, we had a breakthrough, which answered an earlier question about the Rambam's definitions of chacham and chasid. Although we didn't tie up all the loose ends, we definitely had a productive analysis. (Should we change the title to Rambam b'Iyun? I don't even know anymore.)
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות דעות ב:ג
 ----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (5/4/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we attempted to answer some of the questions we raised last Thursday while making sure we learned at least a couple more halachos. We did manage to clear up some of our terminology issues, while simultaneously getting bogged down in more. All in all, I think it was a productive day. We'll see where tomorrow takes us!
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות דעות ב:א-ב
 ----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (4/29/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we only made it through one halacha, but we covered a lot in terms of our analysis. Broadly speaking our goal was to understand the Rambam's terminology in Hilchos Deios. Specifically, we wanted to understand the differences between different types of deios problems, and we also wanted to understand why he calls them "deios" instead of just "middos." Although we didn't arrive at answers for either issue, it was a very good discussion.
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות דעות ב:א
----------
Bekius Disclaimer: 
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
Please feel free to leave your questions, insights, and feedback in the comments!
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free http://www.mechon-mamre.org/
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam https://rambam.alhatorah.org/
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/mahshevt/mahadurot.htm
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed: https://www.maimonides-guide.com/full-table-of-contents
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (4/28/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we finished the first chapter of Hilchos Deios. Here the Rambam introduces us to the concept of "the middle path" (or "the middle deah"), and formulates the mitzvah of ve'halachta bi'drachav in those very terms. There were a number of questions we raised and couldn't answer, some having to do with terminology, others having to do with core concepts, and others which we couldn't classify. Tomorrow we plan on reading the Rambam's presentation of this material in Shemoneh Perakim to see if that helps us clarify things. 
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות דעות א:ד-ז
----------
Bekius Disclaimer: 
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
Please feel free to leave your questions, insights, and feedback in the comments!
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free http://www.mechon-mamre.org/
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam https://rambam.alhatorah.org/
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/mahshevt/mahadurot.htm
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed: https://www.maimonides-guide.com/full-table-of-contents
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (4/27/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we began a new section: Hilchos Deios! As usual, we began with by reading the Rambam's formulation of the mitzvah in the Sefer ha'Mitzvos and in the minyan ha'mitzvos in the Introduction to the Mishneh Torah, and then we began the halachos with the koseres. Today's learning revolved around some basic questions: What are "deios"? Why does the Rambam call them that? How do we make sense of his seemingly inconsistent terminology? We ended today with the Rambam's introduction of the famous "middle path," which (בג"ה) we will continue with tomorrow.
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - ספר המצוות, עשה ח
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות דעות א:א-ג
 ----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

Thank you to all of my generous Patrons who help support my production and distribution of Torah content! If you have gained from this podcast (and/or others) and would like to support my efforts to make Torah available and accessible to everyone, please consider contributing to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (4/22/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we continued learning the Rambam's discourse on nevuah in the Introduction to the Commentary in the Mishnah. WARNING: since we were only learning this for the Rambam's new points, I sped-read and didn't translate anything that the Rambam already covered in the Mishneh Torah. Also, we wanted to finish this topic today so that we can start Hilchos Deios next week, AND because this was our 100th session of our Rambam Bekius chavurah, and we wanted to conclude Hilchos Yesodei ha'Torah in its entirety on an even number! ;)
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - פירוש המשניות, הקדמה למשנה
----------
Bekius Disclaimer: 
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
Please feel free to leave your questions, insights, and feedback in the comments!
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free http://www.mechon-mamre.org/
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam https://rambam.alhatorah.org/
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/mahshevt/mahadurot.htm
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed: https://www.maimonides-guide.com/full-table-of-contents
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (4/21/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we finished Hilchos Yesodei ha'Torah! (Chas v'shalom that we FINISHED finished it! Rather, we completed one reading of it) We began by reading one more halacha about the distinction between prophecies for the good and prophecies for punishment, and then we leared the concluding halacha about the prohibition to doubt the established navi's prophecy or to test him exceedingly. After we finished the perek we began learning the Rambam's treatment of the same subject in his introduction to the Mishnah, which (בג"ה) we will conclude tomorrow.
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה, ספר המדע, הלכות יסודי התורה פרק י
רמב"ם - פירוש המשניות, הקדמה למשנה
 ----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!

This afternoon (4/20/21 at YBT) in our Rambam Bekius chavurah we began by going over the eighth and ninth yesodos in the Peirush ha'Mishnayos (i.e. the ikkarim that are covered in the last three chapters of Hilchos Yesodei ha'Torah). After that we began the tenth and final chapter of Hilchos Yesodei ha'Torah. After making a number of references to the procedure for authenticating a navi, the Rambam here spells it out. We didn't quite finish it, due to some sticky questions, but בג"ה we will tomorrow!
----------
מקורות:
רמב"ם - פירוש המשניות, סנהדרין, הקדמה לפרק חלק
רמב"ם - משנה תורה, ספר המדע, הלכות יסודי התורה פרק י
 ----------
Bekius Disclaimer:
Note that this is a bekius chavurah - as opposed to an iyun shiur. Each session consists of us reading through the Rambam's writings together without much preparation on my part, and without going into depth by consulting commentaries or primary sources. For all these reasons, there are bound to be inaccuracies, errors, and other types of shortcomings which would not be acceptable in a prepared shiur, but are quite typical of a bekius chavurah. Please bear this in mind, and know what you're signing up for when you listen!
----------
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
----------
Rambam Resources:
- Mechon Mamre: the most accurate complete edition of the Mishneh Torah available online for free
- AlHaTorah: excellent site overall, and reliable for the first three books of the Mishneh Torah, as well as the Shelat edition of the Rambam's commentary on the Mishnah and other works of the Rambam
- Daat: features many of the Rambam's writings, including Qafih's translation of the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, complete with footnotes
- Explanatory Essays on The Guide for the Perplexed
----------
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweiss
Blog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss
"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com
"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com
"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com
"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com 
"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.com
Our Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivabneitorah.org/
Our Women's Program: https://www.lomdeha.org/