Rabbi Triebitz points out a fundamental argument between the Arizal as presented by the Tanya, and Nefesh HaChaim regarding the supremacy of Moshe Rabbeinu’s chochma. The Ari/Tanya claim that Moshe’s attainment of chochma was not as great as that of the Arizal. This appears to contradict Rambam’s 7th principle, that Moshe attained the highest level of chochma of anyone before or after him. Rav Tzadok and the Tanya both try to explain this apparent contradiction.
Nefesh HaChaim explains that Adam HaRishon before the sin attained the highest level of wisdom, but that Moshe was the only person after the sin to ever attain a comparable (though not quite as high) level. This is clearly an attack on the Tanya (and possibly the Arizal).
Rabbi Triebitz also brings the Leshem who explains the nature of the sin of Adam, and how it connects to chochma.
The sources for this shiur:
Tanya Iggeret HaKodesh chapter 19
Nefesh HaChaim 1:15 (which you can find at http://he.wikisource.org/wiki/ and then write (in Hebrew letters) nefesh_hachaim_shaar_aleph_perek_tetvav) but I can’t make that into a link because of the Hebrew letters
In this article at Seforim Blog, Marc Shapiro reviews (amongst other things) one of Rabbi Triebitz’s Reshimu articles.
Have a look at what he says there Amongst other things he writes:
Returning to Maimonides and creation, I want to call attention to a very interesting article by R Meir Triebitz. It appears in Reshimu, vol. 1 no. 2 (2008), the journal of the so-called Hashkafa Circle. See here.
As explained in the preface to the first volume, this “Circle” aims to fill a gap in haredi yeshiva education by focusing on the classics of medieval Jewish philosophy which are pretty much ignored in contemporary haredi society. We thus have a situation where great talmudists and halakhists ignore major themes of Jewish philosophy, which were dealt with at length by the medieval sages. When there are theological discussions in haredi literature, they invariably reflect a very conservative position, often at variance with the major rishonim. I already touched on this issue in my conclusion to The Limits of Orthodox Theology, and if Triebitz and his group are successful this situation could be reversed.
Click on the link to read the full review, and why he thinks hashkafa circle will never succeed in fulfilling its mission statement.
Rabbi Triebitz addresses the contradiction between the 7th and 8th Ikarim. In the 7th, Rambam writes that Moshe reached the pinnacle of human achievement and prophecy, whereas in the 8th Rambam writes that Moshe was simply a ’scribe’ writing down G-d’s words. It would seem that these two are irreconcilable. Rabbi Triebitz explains with a new and innovative approach to Moshe Rabbeinu and his role as the first Chacham as well as the first Navi.
Sources for this shiur:
Rambam’s first two shorashim in his introduction to Sefer HaMitzvot
In this shiur Rabbi Triebitz discusses the 7th Principle, the prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu. He looks at Rambam’s distinctions between the prophecy of Moshe and that of all other prophets. He also claims that the book that Rambam claims that he will write about the prophecy of Moshe is in fact Moreh Nevuchim.
This shiur from Rabbi Triebitz deals with the 5th principle of Rambam - service of G-d. Rabbi Triebitz asks why this Principle comes here, and not immediately after the Principles which deal with the nature of G-d. He explains that prayer is dependent on both G-d’s free will and human free will, which is the main point of the previous principle.
He also shows the dual nature of worship for Rambam, and the distinction between directing prayer to G-d, and meditation on the thoughts of G-d, through prophecy and liturgy.
This shiur in the 13 Ikarim focusses on the controversey concerning the Rambam’s position on creation ex nihilo. Rabbi Triebitz looks at chapters 13, 25, and 30 of section 2, and chapter 25 of section 3.
Rabbi Triebitz also looks at Rambam’s introduction to the Guide where he speaks about the usage of contradictions.
He explains Rambam’s true understanding and belief of creation, and shows that both the eternity of the universe and creation ex-nihilo are essential beliefs for Rambam’s concept of G-d. Eternity allows for laws of nature and ethics, and creation ex-nihilo allows for free will for both G-d and man.
You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com
In this shiur Rabbi Triebitz challenges Marc Shapiro’s claim that the later views of kabbalists are incompatible with Rambam’s concept of monotheism. Rabbi Triebitz attempts to show that the same dichotomy between G-d in and of Himself and G-d as perceived by mankind through G-d’s actions exists within the thought of Rambam and is agreed upon by all the mainstream kabbalists.
Rabbi Triebitz also begins a discussion of the fourth principle about the denial of eternity of the universe and shows why Rambam considers this to be a ‘great principle’ in the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu. It is this concept which is the basis of free choice, as well as underlying the possibility of prophecy, miracles and revelation.
You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com
Rabbi Triebitz explains how G-d’s unity leads to G-d’s ethics. Only because G-d is unknowable, and His knowledge and will are both His Essence can we come to imitate G-d and be both thinking and ethical.
Sources: Moreh Nevuchim I:68-9, III:54 (and others, but start with those)
You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com
Rabbi Triebitz discusses the order of the 13 Ikarim. He points out that according to the explanation in Moreh Nevuchim (I:54-59) the third Ikar should come before the second Ikar.
I develops this theme and discovers the hidden message within the Ikarim - that they are intended to show us fundamentals of human behaviour, not fundamentals of G-d.
You can watch and download the shiurim below. As always please send any comments, thoughts, ideas or criticisms to admin at hashkafacircle.com