Sunday, January 11, 2009

RAMBAM: Prayer vs. Study

The RAMBAM on Avoda/Devotion to G-d.

Rabbi Aryeh Klapper explained in a lecture forwarded to me by none other than our very own Sheepthroat:

The Rambam says that the highest level of avoda or service to G-d is prayer. But then Rashi says something interesting. He says "But some say it's Talmud." This, the Rabbi explained seems to undercut his whole argument - it can't be both at the same time because there has to be a specific content to the command.

But then he explains that they actually meet at the highest level of each of them...silence.

Silent meditation, silent contemplation.

The highest level of prayer is silent meditation, and the highest level of Talmud is silent contemplation.

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