Guiding the Perplexed

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 44; Part 1 Chapters 61 & 62a

Rambam describes in Chapter 61 the meaning of the four letter name of God and how it differs from all other names used to describe God. He also teaches how these names have no inherent magical power to accomplish anything and how it is futile to use them as magical charms. In 62 Rambam discusses the secret 12 and 42 letter names of God and how they were concealed because people were led astray by the idea that God could be described.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 43; Part 1, Chapter 60

Rambam explains why it is so important not to describe God with positive attributions, and how this could inadvertently lead one to polytheism. Only through negative attributions can knowledge of God be achieved.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 42, Part 1 Chapter 59

Rambam describes how there can be differences in understanding of God between people despite the fact that God cannot be described. He then explains why poems and songs written to praise God can actually be more of an insult than a praise.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 41, Part 1 - Chapters 57, 58

In Chapter 57 Rambam completes his discussion about how no positive attributes can be used to describe God, not even "oneness". In Chapter 58 he introduces the idea of Negative attributes and how we can describe the nature of God in this way.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 40, Part 1 Chapters 55,56

Rambam explains why we cannot describe God as if He had attributes.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 39, Part 1 Chapter 54

Rambam teaches us the highest level of knowledge that was reached by Moses, and the "attributes" of God as revealed to him on Sinai.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 38, Part 1 Chapter 53

Rambam describes why descriptions of God's attributes are a contradiction to pure monotheism. One can only describe His actions as we perceive them, but never attribute any qualities to God Himself.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 37, Part 1 Chapter 52b

Rambam explains the 4th and 5th category of attributes, and the only type that can be used to "describe" God.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 36, Part 1, Chapters 51b and 52a

Rambam teaches us the difference between ":attributes" and "accidents" and why we cannot attribute any qualities to God.

Guide For the Perplexed - Lecture 35 Part 1 Chapter 50 and 51a

Rambam describes in chapter 50 the importance of really knowing important concepts, through a process of investigation, not just saying the right words. He then goes on to state in the first part of 51 that the concept of the unity of God should be obvious.