Unperplexed: Parsha Lessons from Maimonides's Guide of the Perplexed

Naso: The Holy Patient

The Holy Patient Why does the Rambam compare the Nazir to the Kohen Gadol? This week's episode explores a striking paradox: the Nazir is both a patient in need of treat

Bemidbar: The Ark on Their Shoulders

Why was the Ark carried on shoulders rather than transported by wagon? This week, we explore the Rambam’s surprising answer—and what it reveals about leadership, honor, a

Behar/Bechukotai: Does the Merit of the Patriarchs Ever Run Out?

How long does the merit of the patriarchs really last? This week on Unperplexed, we explore a striking debate among the Sages—and the Rambam’s surprising answer. Why do

Emor: Uncertainty and the Art of Torah Study

We often turn to great thinkers for answers. But what happens when they refuse to give them? This episode considers one of the most striking moments in the Guide of the P

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim: We All Sin. But How Do We Feel?

We all sin. But how do we feel when we do? The Sin Offerings are there to ask us this question. And to give us an answer.

Tazria-Metzora; The Gift of Tzara'at

Tzara'at is a gift. In fact, it's a good example of why punishments in general are so good and helpful for us. And it's something that we need to be prepared to learn fro

Tzav: Why Some Sins Matter More

Sins and violations are not always treated equally in the Torah and that can seem arbitrary. Wouldn’t it make more sense for sins to be treated in the same way? As alw

Vayikra: Make it Easy

Make it easy for people. Sin offerings could be very expensive. But what of someone who cannot afford to bring these animals for a sacrifice? This issue is addressed in

Vayakhel-Pekudei: Where is the Glory of God?

What is the kavod, the “glory” of God, so often referred to in the Bible? It settled on Mount Sinai and Moses begged to see it. All the earth is filled with it and Jeremi

Ki Tisa: Nietzsche and the Will to Shabbat

Nietzsche wasn’t wrong about everything. No, the will to power- pure human desire that crosses all moral boundaries- will never be Jewish. But he got something fundamenta

Tezaveh: Sometimes a Cigar is Not Just a Cigar

Why is blood forbidden? Is it inherently wrong, or did it once mean something rejected by the Torah? As we shall see, sometimes a cigar is not just a cigar and we are goi

Bonus Episode!: Does the Rambam Believe in the Third Temple?

Our episode for Parshat Terumah raises some serious questions about the nature of Jewish Law and the Rambam's views in particular. So does the Rambam believe that Judaism

Terumah: The Truth is Not Enough

The truth is very important. But it is not sufficient. So we see in the Rambam's famous explanation for the commandment to build the Tabernacle. There is a great lesson

Yitro: Jewish Belief is Not Enough

Jewish belief is not enough, the Rambam says. This isn’t just about habits or culture- it’s about Jewish identity. And if we want that identity to last, we’ll need to lea

Beshalach: Don't Try to Change People

God doesn’t change people. And we shouldn’t try to. In this week's episode, we see just how central this principle is to Torah. And then we think about how important it

Bo: Slaughtering Ideas

How do we overcome false ideas and ideals? We slaughter them publicly. This is the purpose of the Paschal lamb and a great lesson for our time.

Vaera: No Freedom to Choose

What happened to Pharaoh's free will when God hardened his heart? And isn’t it unfair for God to punish Pharaoh for something he really didn’t have a choice in? These a

Shemot: Moshe before Prophecy

Moshe was not always a prophet. First, he was a person inspired by the Spirit of God. And we can be too.

Vayechi: How Do We Know It’s Prophecy?

Who decides what’s prophecy- and who decides what to trust? And what surprising spiritual lesson is revealed when we learn the answers to these questions? Sources: Ge

Vayigash: Unkelos's Translation, the Rambam, and Scholarly Trust

Why does Unkelos translate “I will go down with you to Egypt” literally—when he usually avoids any language that suggests God has a body? In this episode of Unperplexed,