Rambam

The unity of Jews through Torah could be produced by learning any topic. — The ultimate unity is produced by learning something which encompasses the whole Torah.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Likkutei Sichos, vol. 32, p. 271ff.

What (or rather, who) is Rambam?

The word ‘Rambam” is a Hebrew acronym for “Rabbeinu Moshe Ben Maimon,” (literally translated as “Our Teacher, Moses son of Maimon”). Rabbeinu Moshe ben Maimon (1135 - 1204) commonly referred to as The Rambam, was a famous scholar, physician, philosopher, and one of the greatest sages of the medieval ages.

The term ‘Rambam’ has become synonymous with Rambam’s (Maimonides’) primary work, the Mishneh Torah (also known as the Yad Hachazakah).

The Rambam also authored Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed), Perush Hamishnayos (commentary to the Mishneh), Sefer Hamitzvos (Book of Commandments), and other works.

What it Includes

The Mishneh Torah, or Rambam, is a fourteen-volume, comprehensive code of Jewish law. It includes the following sections:

1. Mada-Knowledge
2. Ahava-Love
3. Zmanim-Times
4. Nashim-Women
5. Kedusha-Holiness
6. Hafla’a-Vows
7. Zera’im-Agriculture
8. Avoda-Temple service
9. Karbanos-Sacrifices
10. Tahara-Purity
11. Nezikin-Damages
12. Kinyan-Acquisitions
13. Mishpatim-Laws
14. Shoftim-Judges

The Mishneh Torah is an exhaustive compendium of all of the Torah’s laws, laid out in clear and concise language and arranged in a logical, methodical, and accessible manner.

It’s unique in being the first and only compendium that includes laws that pertain to the Jewish people’s past, present, and future, with laws ranging from the days of the first Temple to the laws surrounding Moshiach and the redemption of the Jewish people at the end of days.

Welcome to the Study of Rambam

In 1984, as a final push to herald the arrival of Moshiach, the Lubavitcher Rebbe enacted the daily study of Rambam.

The Rebbe explained that he wanted to bring all Jews - from across the entire spectrum of Judaism - together in the study of Torah, where everyone is studying the same subject.

The Rebbe further explained that there is no more appropriate subject than the work of Rambam, which is the only compilation that encompasses all areas of Torah law, even laws pertaining to the Temple and the arrival of Moshiach. [Furthermore, it is actually an obligation to study the entire gamut of Torah.]

The Rebbe was so insistent that this study should be appropriate for everyone - man, women, children, the advanced student and the beginner - that the Rebbe initiated numerous tracks.

The Three Tracks

3 Chapters a Day.

In this optimal track of the enactment, the entire Mishneh Torah, beginning with the Rambam’s introduction
to Mishneh Torah, list of Commandments, detailed content outline of the 14 books that comprise the Mishneh Torah, is completed in just under a year, by studying 3 chapters daily.

1 Chapter a Day.

Here also the entire Mishneh Torah is studied, but at a slower pace of 1 chapter a day, and is completed in just under 3 years.

Sefer Hamitzvos.

For those who find that one chapter of a book of detailed law is difficult, the Rebbe enacted the study of Rambam’s Sefer Hamitzvos (Book of Commandments).

How to study “Rambam.”

Daily

Like Chitas, the study of Rambam is integrally connected to the day it is studied and should therefore be studied on the appropriate day. This way it is also ensured that everyone is learning the same subject every day.

If one was unable to learn on the appropriate day, then it should be made up as soon as possible after.

In the words of the Rebbe: [The study] can and must be compensated at night, up until midnight, or even until the crack of dawn. (Sefer HaSichos 5749, p. 194, fn. 39.)

Even if one didn’t start with the beginning of the cycle, when he is ready to begin, he should join where the track is holding so that he is in unity with the rest of the participants. (With time he should gradually catch up on the missed portions.)

No Promises

The practice of studying Rambam daily is undertaken bli neder–as a non-binding commitment, but with a firm commitment that will surely lead to actual fulfillment.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Toras Menachem 5749, vol. 2, p. 227

Rambam in English

When Rambam is studied in the language of the land, the Torah effectively penetrates the worldly realms in
its purest, holiest form. Thus, the wisdom of the Torah is drawn from the loftiest supernal levels and penetrates the world in languages other than the Holy Tongue.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Toras Menachem, Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh, Parshas Zachor, 5745.

Bring a Friend

It is appropriate to remind everyone, in every location, about the daily study of Rambam. It is even better to study Rambam berabim, as a communal study.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Toras Menachem 5749, vol. 2, p. 370

Make the Most of Your Rambam Study

It is important that you comprehend at least the basic interpretation of the laws within the daily Mishneh Torah. Additionally, it is encouraged that you study at least one law per day in somewhat greater depth.

Mishneh Torah must be studied sequentially, since Rambam often references earlier statements and clarifications of terms and principles instead of repeatedly explaining them anew.

Reap the Benefits of the Rambam Study

To a person who was struggling with overwhelming debt, the Rebbe wrote to him, in short but no uncertain terms:
“Have you fulfilled your obligations regarding the study of Rambam.”
— Mishneh Torah Hasholeim,Mahaduras Feldi, Chazak Publications, p. 6, fn 6

The daily study of Rambam among Jews is one of the things which hastens the coming of the final redemption.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Toras Menachem, Shabbos Parshas Balak, 5748

Recently, there was an additional institution of study - the study of Rambam. And although the person studying is doing so because it is an enactment of Sages, he is, however, fulfilling the biblical command to study Torah.
Furthermore, he has here an additional, unique and precious quality, of fulfilling a command of his Rebbe.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Sefer Hasichos 5749, vol. 2, p.412

“Whoever learns Rambam daily, will find wondrous [insight].”
— Shaloh

I have learned from my holy teacher [the Ba’al Shem Tov] that the study of Rambam is a segulah (spiritual remedy) for fear of heaven, and to eradicate external negative forces.
— Rabbi Dovber (Mezritcher Maggid), Magid Devarav L’Yaakov, addendum, p. 105

There are 83 topics of laws in Rambam. The Talmud teaches that the Hebrew word for disease, “machala,” has the numerical value of 83, and this is because there are 83 forms of disease that can affect the bile. This alludes to the idea that through the study of the 83 halachos of Rambam, one can achieve complete health.
That’s not to say that studying Rambam only helps those who are sick; it is said to prevent sickness in the first place, as it says in Exodus 15:26, “all the sicknesses… I will not bring upon you.”
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Hitvaduyos 5746, vol. 2, p. 246

The Rambam organizes all the commandments found within Oral Jewish Law in clear and concise terms. Thereby, through its study, one fulfills the commandment to study the entire Torah.
Additionally, learning a Torah subject in unison with other Jews brings unity amongst all those engaged in its study. This unity amongst both the students as well as in the study of the halacha itself hastens the arrival of Moshiach.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Likkutei Sichot, vol. 32, p. 271ff