Stage 3 · Moses Maimonides (1138–1204)

Moreh Nevukhim: Part III, Chapter 38 — Moral Commandments and Behavior

דלאלהֵ אלחאירין — The Guide of the Perplexed

Maimonides identifies the third class of commandments — those gathered under Hilkhot De'ot — as rules governing social conduct and moral character. Their benefit is self-evident: they regulate interpersonal relations. He adds a brief note that some commandments, though appearing arbitrary, actually aim at instilling a valuable ethical disposition, and promises to explain each in its proper place.

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Part Three · Chapter Thirty-Eight — Moral Commandments and Behavior

THE precepts of the third class are identical with those which we have enumerated in Hilkot de'ot. Their use is evident; they are rules concerning moral conduct by which the social relations of men are regulated. This is sufficiently clear, and I need not dwell long on it.

Know that some precepts prescribe certain acts which are considered as arbitrary decrees without any purpose, but are nevertheless the means of acquiring some moral principle. We shall explain every one of them in its proper place. But of all those precepts which are mentioned in Hilkot de'ot, it is distinctly stated that their object is to inculcate good moral principles.

English is a working draft — alignment is sentence-by-sentence.

Scripture cited in this chapter

Genesis 22:1 ↗Deuteronomy 13:5 ↗I Kings 21:26 ↗Hosea 11:10 ↗