Daily Rambam · Intermediate – From Familiar to Fluent · Bite-Sized
Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9
Hey there! Let's dig into a fascinating passage from Rambam that often gets overlooked.
Hook
How can the Torah be given at Sinai, yet "Noahide laws" come from Adam? Rambam addresses this paradox.
Full Experience in the App
Listen. Chat. Go deeper.
Audio playback, interactive chevruta, Hebrew tools, and every daily learning track — only in Derekh Learning.
Context
The Seven Noahide Laws form a universal ethical framework, a divine moral baseline for all humanity, predating Sinai.
Text Snapshot
Six precepts were commanded to Adam: ... Even though we have received all of these commands from Moses and, furthermore, they are concepts which intellect itself tends to accept, it appears from the Torah's words that Adam was commanded concerning them. The prohibition against eating flesh from a living animal was added for Noah... (Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1:1-2) (Sefaria URL: https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Kings_and_Wars_9)
Close Reading
Insight 1: Structure – Incremental Revelation
Rambam shows progressive revelation: Adam's six, Noah's seventh (Ever Min HaChai), then practices by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Divine moral expectations unfolded gradually.
Insight 2: Key Term – "Received from Moses"
For these ancient laws, "שֶׁכֻּלָּן קַבָּלָה הֵן בְּיָדֵנוּ מִמֹּשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ" (received from Moses) (9:1:3) is key. Steinsaltz clarifies their authoritative transmission comes through Sinai.
Insight 3: Tension – Intellect Meets Command
"וְהַדַּעַת נוֹטָה לָהֶן" (intellect accepts them) (9:1:4) highlights a tension. These self-evident truths are divinely commanded; innate morality gains binding force and parameters through revelation.
Two Angles
Commentators explore Adam's commands. Yad Eitan (on 9:1:1) notes Kesef Mishneh's view: Rambam sees scriptural derivations for Adam's laws as asmachta (supportive verses), not direct textual prohibitions. This emphasizes Kabbalah (received tradition) for earliest laws.
Practice Implication
Understanding universal moral laws as divine commands, not human conventions, deepens our commitment and fosters diligence.
Chevruta Mini
- If these laws are intellectually obvious, what distinct value does a divine "command" add?
- What are the implications of all these commands ultimately being "received from Moses," even those for non-Jews?
Takeaway
Universal morality is both intellectually accessible and divinely mandated, transmitted authoritatively through Moses.
derekhlearning.com