The Writings of the Ramban

The Ramban was one of the most important scholars to grace our history. His extensive writings encompassed every aspect of the Torah and Jewish thought.

In today’s class we will be introduced to his writings which reflect the ideals which this great, great sage held so dear.

In every system of religious thought that I have heard of ( and there are probably many many more that I have never heard of) the problem of suffering is addressed. By “suffering” I mean apparently righteous people suffering                 ( watching evil people suffer is often part of the happy ending that people pay to see when watching movies ).

Both the Rambam and Ramban wrote that Judaism’s explanation for this  phenomenon is to be found in ספר איוב- the Book of Job. But it is difficult to find a clear answer in the Book of Job. I am not familiar with English translations to Job, but the Hebrew text is challenging. As a matter of fact the Hebrew liturgical poets known as the “Paytanim” saw in Job a treasure-trove of novel words with which they composed their remarkable prayers.

But leaving the composition of Job aside it is very difficult to find any answers in Job. Why did Hashem pay any attention to the attacks made on Job’s character by Satan? What is Hashem’s final answer to Job?

The Rambam and Ramban both wrote about Job. The Rambam devoted three chapters of his Guide- מורה נבוכים  to Job while the Ramban wrote an entire commentary to the book.

We will discuss these writings today.

The most well known of the Ramban’s writings is his commentary to the Torah. Besides explaining the text the Ramban in his commentary shares with us his ideas about the ideals of Judaism. Today we will study what may be the most famous passage from the commentary of the Ramban- his commentary to the words “קדושים תהיו”