Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations 8

Hook

"Must God cause His world to be destroyed because of the fools?" — a question echoing through the centuries, reminding us that the beauty of creation remains untainted by the errors of those who misuse it.

Context

• The Author: Maimonides (the Rambam), 12th-century philosopher and jurist.
• The Community: A Sephardi-Mizrahi tradition deeply committed to the intellectual rigor of the Mishneh Torah.
• The Era: A time when the boundaries between the sacred and the profane were constantly navigated through complex legal frameworks in the Mediterranean world.

Text Snapshot

"It is permitted to derive benefit from anything that has not been manipulated by man... mountains, hills, trees, and animals—despite their having been worshiped by pagans. Our Sages exclaim: 'Must God cause His world to be destroyed because of the fools?'"

Minhag/Melody

In many Sephardi traditions, the emphasis is placed on Kavod Ha-Briyot (the dignity of created beings). When we encounter the natural world—a tree, a spring, or a mountain—the blessing Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshit (Who performs the work of Creation) serves as a restorative act. It acknowledges that the holiness of the world is inherent, planted by the Divine, and cannot be revoked by human misguidedness.

Contrast

While some Ashkenazi traditions might lean toward a more prohibitive stance regarding objects associated with idolatry (often out of a heightened caution to avoid any proximity to Avodah Zarah), the Sephardi/Mizrahi approach, as codified by the Rambam, maintains a sharp distinction between the "manipulated object" and the "natural world." This preserves the sanctity of nature, ensuring the world remains available for our use and gratitude, even if it has been encountered by those with different beliefs.

Home Practice

Next time you encounter a beautiful tree or a flowing spring, pause. Instead of rushing past, recite the blessing of gratitude for the natural world. Recognizing the source of beauty as untainted by human history is a profound act of spiritual clarity.

Takeaway

The world remains inherently pure. Human error cannot "pollute" the physical earth or its resources. Our task is to see past the "fools" and honor the Creator through the integrity of His creation.