The Rebbe on the Study and Teachings of the Rambam

The Rambam was the first to provide a bird’s eye view of the entire body of Torah law. Join the campaign to study his works and celebrate Jewish unity.

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.”

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 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.

The scope of Maimonides’ codification is beyond anything that ever preceded or followed it!

There are many similarities between Maimonides and the founder of Chabad Chassidism. Their most well-known works bear striking resemblances. They both faced extreme opposition to their teachings, yet the opposition fell away.

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

Since Torah's practical laws are relevant and comprehensible by Jews of all backgrounds, all Jews should unite through Torah, by studying the same subject in Torah at the same time.

The Mishneh Torah 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 tasks.

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...

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

This farbrengen was held on the Rebbe’s birthday in 1985 and also marked the first Siyum Harambam, the closure of the yearly cycle of studying the Mishneh Torah, the magnum opus of Maimonides.

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.

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.

Maimonides concludes his code of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah: “In the Era of Moshiach… there will be no occupation in the whole world except to know G-d alone. Therefore, the Jews will be great sages, knowing the hidden matters and grasping their Creator to the full extent possible for man – as it is written, ‘For the knowledge of G-d will fill the earth as water covers the sea.’”

Maintaining purity through restraint, even where it is not ritually necessary, is one of the greatest virtues.

Maimonides states that Torah was given, “only to bring peace to the world” – “Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.” Division can never lead to peace.

The Talmud teaches: “A mentor must be like an angel of G-d.” In his code of Jewish law, Maimonides offers a clue to the conduct of an angel.

Maimonides rules that the single action of a single person has the power to redeem the entire world. It is analogous to a balance sheet in business...

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.

Maimonides used three distinct signatures depending on the subject matter of the writing. From this, one can learn of Maimonides’ extreme attention to detail.

20 Teves is the Rambam’s Yahrtzeit.
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.”

From Maimonides’ Laws of Personal Conduct one can understand what true Nachas is. Teach those laws to your son, and may you have true Nachas from him.