TheYeshiva.net - Rabbi YY Jacobson

Rambam Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah Chapter 4

The Four Elements: Fire, Air, Water, Earth

1 hr 18 min

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Class Summary:

This class, in Rambam the Laws of Yesodei HaTorah, chapter four, was presented on Tuesday Parshas Devarim, 29 Tammuz, 5780, July 21, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's House in Monsey, NY

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M
Mordechai -4 years ago
sand on the moon
I didn't understand, what the Rambam writes that the 4 elements only start beyond the spheres, how is there sand on the moon?

Also, I am trying to understand, if we are surrounded by the spheres, if the sun and moon are spheres (yoreich, chama) how could we see them like a ball, instead of seeing just a part of them that's on top of us? (looks like we are seeing them entirely, but we are actually in their sphere?)

Thank you again for your wonderful shiurim, and I hope you would have the minute to respond to my daunting questions.
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- Anonymous -4 years ago
  Great questions.
  
  1. As I discussed, the "element of earth" discussed in Chazal and Rambam may be something different than sand.
  
  Also, as discussed in the intro to chapters 3-4, there is another dimension to all of these laws: the spiritual counterpart of the cosmos,
  
  2. Yes, we are in a sphere, but not in the sphere of the sun or the moon. They are planet located inside a sphere, and the sphere encompasses the earth. They themselves do not. Hence we can see the entire "ball."
  
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A
Aharon -4 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0

this is a fascinating video made in 1977 showing distance telescopically and microscopically. Check it out and enjoy.
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S
Sara -4 years ago
But the Mishnei Torah...
Is not so easily understood by a person either by themselves or even with a teacher, there are many who disagree with Rambam’s conclusions, books were written to explain even further. Still seems like a contradiction to say these things should not be written down and then writing them down. Like telling a child not to do something, but doing it yourself. Maybe Rambam should have just left that out. Seems to complicate it even more.
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- MM
  Moshe Mohadeb -4 years ago
  In light of the fact that the Rambam states these matters very cryptically and does not explain in depth, perhaps when he writes that these mysteries should be taught with the proper qualifications, it is not a contradiction to record a "drop of the ocean" or a "drop of the bucket" to give the masses a glimpse of the esoteric.
  
  Additionally, from the perspective that all these physical terms are in fact metaphors for the metaphysical spheres, as Rabbi Jacobson reiterates, the Rambam is not disclosing any information at all about the actual esoteric wisdom, but rather presents a few parables (that can also be understood at face value), which does not defy or contradict the ban of speaking of these subjects to the masses.
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- MM
  Moshe Mohadeb -4 years ago
  In light of the fact that the Rambam states these matters very cryptically and does not explain in depth, perhaps when he writes that these mysteries should be taught with the proper qualifications, it is not a contradiction to record a "drop of the ocean" or a "drop of the bucket" to give the masses a glimpse of the esoteric.
  
  Additionally, from the perspective that all these physical terms are in fact metaphors for the metaphysical spheres, as Rabbi Jacobson reiterates, the Rambam is not disclosing any information at all about the actual esoteric wisdom, but rather presents a few parables (that can also be understood at face value), which does not defy or contradict the ban of speaking of these subjects to the masses.
  Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
- MM
  Moshe Mohadeb -4 years ago
  In light of the fact that the Rambam states these matters very cryptically and does not explain in depth, perhaps when he writes that these mysteries should be taught with the proper qualifications, it is not a contradiction to record a "drop of the ocean" or a "drop of the bucket" to give the masses a glimpse of the esoteric.
  
  Additionally, from the perspective that all these physical terms are in fact metaphors for the metaphysical spheres, as Rabbi Jacobson reiterates, the Rambam is not disclosing any information at all about the actual esoteric wisdom, but rather presents a few parables (that can also be understood at face value), which does not defy or contradict the ban of speaking of these subjects to the masses.
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MF
Morris Friedman -4 years ago
Question for Rabbi YY
Missed the class on number four this morning. Very frustrated cannot find it anywhere. It seems very disorganized. Eventually I will give up
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- I
  Isaac -4 years ago
  Your comment is on the very video page of this class!! Just scroll up and click play.
  
  On the website, there is "last 30 days of classes," you can always see there.
  
  Here is the full series:
  
  https://www.theyeshiva.net/search//1227
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M
Moshe -4 years ago
To see and read about our planet as a teeny dot from VEEEERY far away
Search for "pale blue dot". That picture 30 years old!
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