S6, E10 Shemona Perakim; Is a Good Imagination Part of Being a Good Person?

This shiur was generously sponsored by an anonymous donor for the merit of the speedy, safe and healthy return of the Hostages.

The source sheet for this shiur is available ⁠here⁠

Highlights: Why doesn't Maimonides include a good imagination among the human virtues?

What the imagination does and what makes it good

The definition of prophecy, the human being's highest perfection

Prophets need to have a good imagination

Animals also have an imaginative faculty on a par with humans

What imagination does, and how it is similar to and differs from reason

The imagination can't avoid materialism

Prophecy is not a characteristic inherent to being human

Three opinions about prophecy

Analyzing Maimonides' understanding of prophecy

There are two ways to view man: As intellect alone, or as a composite of intellect and body

The imagination is part of man's perfection only from the perspective of as a composite being comprised of intellect and body as well

Why many wise people didn't become prophets

Those who consider prophecy a characteristic inherent to being human consider man to be a body

This series is a project of the Jacob Lights Foundation.