The Nature of the Divine Influence: From “The Guide for the Perplexed” by Maimonides (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Maimonides, also known as HaRambam, or Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, was a notable medieval Jewish philosopher, astronomer, physician, and intellectual figure. Today, we will read selections from Part 2, Chapter 37, in Rabbi Moses ben Maimon’s book “The Guide for the Perplexed,” to better understand the different degrees of influence of the Divine, as discoursed by the Rabbi. CHAPTER 37

“The same relation may be observed throughout the whole Universe. There are some beings so perfect that they can govern other beings, but there are also beings that are only perfect in so far as they can govern themselves and cannot influence other beings. In some cases, the influence of the Active Intellect reaches only the logical and not the imaginative faculty; either on account of the insufficiency of that influence, or on account of a defect in the constitution of the imaginative faculty, and the consequent inability of the latter to receive that influence: this is the condition of wise men or philosophers. If, however, the imaginative faculty is naturally in the most perfect condition, this influence may, as has been explained by us and by other philosophers, reach both his logical and his imaginative faculties: this is the case with prophets. But it happens sometimes that the influence only reaches the imaginative faculty on account of the insufficiency of the logical faculty, arising either from a natural defect or from a neglect in training.”

“It is clear that, without this second degree of perfection, no books would have been written, nor would any prophets have persuaded others to know the truth. For a scholar does not write a book with the object to teach himself what he already knows.”

“It is further the nature of this element in man, that he who possesses an additional degree of that influence, is compelled to address his fellowmen, under all circumstances, whether he is listened to or not, even if he injures himself thereby. Thus, we find prophets that did not leave off speaking to the people until they were slain; it is this Divine influence that moves them, that does not allow them to rest in any way, though they might bring upon themselves great evils by their action.”