The Rebbe on the Study and Teachings of the Rambam: 23 Videos

A First for Egypt - Jem.tv

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The Rambam compiled the Mishna Torah, is a summary of the entire Torah and many generations of codifications and commentaries. The Rebbe then teaches the Last Halacha, concluding the Rambam.

 

On Learning Rambam

Event Date: 12 Tammuz, 5744

The Mishneh Torah was not written only for great Torah scholars. Maimonides himself writes that he composed it in a clear unambiguous style for all Jews – “for small and great alike.

 

Maimonides - Not for Scholars Only

Event Date: 12 Sivan, 5744

All Jews should unite through Torah, by studying the same subject in Torah at the same time. Since Torah's practical laws are relevant and comprehensible by Jews of all backgrounds, we suggested a cycle of daily study of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah.

 

Evolution of Torah

Event Date: 15 Av, 5744

In 1984, the Rebbe initiated a campaign for the daily study of Maimonides’ seminal work, the Mishneh Torah, with the aim of completing the fourteen volumes over the course of a year.

 

Daily Study of Maimonides

Event Date: 25 Iyar, 5747

The daily study of Maimonides’ works is becoming increasingly widespread. The Mishneh Torah, his Magnum Opus that codifies Jewish Law, serves to guide all Jews through the intricacies of Jewish observance. It is not geared for scholars alone. It guides “small and great alike,” as they pursue their life

 

Knowledge of G‑d

On the 15th of Kislev of this year, we conclude the 20th study cycle of the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. At this Farbrengen, the Rebbe recites a “Hadran,” explaining the conclusion and the beginning, and the connection between them

 

Starting from the End

Event Date: 18 Iyar, 5745

One should search for ways to bring another Jew to the study of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah. One way is to celebrate the conclusion of Mishneh Torah…

 

All of Torah in Your Hand

Event Date: 20 Tevet, 5749

Maimonides writes in the introduction to his Code of Jewish law that if one studies the five Books of Moses and goes straight to studying his code, he will know all of Jewish law, of both the Written and Oral Torah. This means that the scope of Maimonides’ codification is beyond anything that ever preceded or followed it!

 

Two Luminaries

Event Date: 24 Tevet, 5741

There are many similarities between Maimonides and the Alter Rebbe, the Founder of Chabad Chasidism. They both issued decisions on Jewish law that guide all later generations.

 

A Leading Example

Event Date: 20 Av, 5751

The Rambam teaches that anyone who dedicates himself to G‑d’s work, studying Torah and fulfilling its commandments, can be considered as part of the special tribe of Levi. Such was the case with Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father, who gave himself over to the impossible task of providing true leadership to Soviet Jewry the Jews stuck in the USSR. He may have ended up paying with his life for his efforts, but his legacy has far outlived that of his oppressors.

 

Leadership Despite Opposition

Event Date: 24 Tevet, 5741

There are many similarities between Maimonides and the Alter Rebbe, the Founder of Chabad Chassidism. They both faced extreme opposition to their teachings, yet the opposition fell away. Eventually, their detractors became ardent disciples

 

Neither Famine nor War

Event Date: 10 Tevet, 5749

The Rebbe concludes the yearly study cycle of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah in his home on President Street, Brooklyn. In the very last law, Maimonides describes the future redemption.

 

Maimonides – A Light Unto the Nations

Event Date: 11 Iyar, 5737

Maimonides is celebrated as a master of Jewish law and philosophy. Not only do we learn from his scholarly writings, but from the life he led as well – a life dedicated to the physical and spiritual welfare of all people

 

Maimonides’ Universal Acceptance

Event Date: 11 Nissan, 5745

1985 marked the first Siyum Harambam, closure of the yearly cycle of studying the Mishne Torah, the magnum opus of Maimonides. This project was initiated by the Rebbe to unite all Jews in study, and for the benefit of studying the entire body of Jewish law, as compiled by Maimonides. The universal acceptance of Maimonides is evidenced by his headstone, which is engraved with the words “From (the first) Moses to Moses (Maimonides) there arose none like Moses.” Through the time of the Judges, the Prophets, the Kings and the Sages, the Mishnah and the Talmud, and all of the subsequent Jewish sages, no one could compare to Moses – until Maimonides!

 

Moshiach-Times: Future Lifestyles

Event Date: 11 Nissan, 5745

Maimonides concludes his code of law, the Mishneh Torah, by describing the era of Moshiach as a time of peace, abundance and enlightenment. All luxuries will be readily available, and yet they will be esteemed in man’s eyes as the dust. As such, we will devote ourselves totally to the study of Torah.

 

Two Luminaries

Event Date: 24 Tevet, 5741

There are many similarities between Maimonides and the Alter Rebbe, the Founder of Chabad chasidism. They both issued decisions on Jewish law that guide all later generations.

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Rambam Nachas

Rabbi Hurwitz presents the Rebbe with his most recent work on the Rambam. The Rebbe encourages him to continue, and blesses him with “Rambam Nachas.”

 

Studying Rambam

The Rebbe is presented with a Kapach edition of the Rambam. The Rebbe thanks the compilers, and requests to receive the future volumes as well. As for a recommendation-letter, use the one that was sent for the first volume.

 

Rambam is for Everybody

“The study of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah is not just for yeshiva students, it is universal.”

 

Completion of Rambam

A collage surrounding the celebration on completing the sixth study cycle of Mishneh Torah.

 

A Spark of Moshiach

Event Date: 20 Iyar, 5743

The Rambam writes, “May they be immediately redeemed”. The Rambam is a book of law, so this must be a law as well! That we must be immediately redeemed.

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“Fourteen are the books of the Rambam”

The Rebbe vigorously encourages the Russian version of “Who Knows One?” especially the reference to the fourteen books of the Rambam.

 

First Siyum HaRambam

Event Date: 11 Nissan, 5745

Completion of the first study cycle of Maimonides’ code of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah.

 

Ech Ti Zimlak

Event Date: 7 Sivan, 5748

The famous song “Who knows One?” sung in Russian. Honoring the Rebbe’s campaign to study Maimonides’ Mishna Torah, the singer adds a fourteenth stanza, “Fourteen are the Books of Rambam!”

 

Sisu V’simchu

Event Date: 11 Nissan, 5745

“Rejoice and exult in the joy of Torah.” The Chassidim sing this Niggun in honor of the first annual Conclusion of Rambam, which the Rebbe had finished immediately prior to this song. From the Simchas Torah prayers.

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Celebrating Study of Rambam

Rabbi Shmuel Butman recalls the day the Rebbe called him to his house, requesting that he publish a book commemorating the worldwide celebrations of the annual completion of the Mishneh Torah. His due date? Three weeks.