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Podcast: The daily Hayom Yom with Rabbi Yosef Katzman
Episode: Hayom Yom 19 Shvat - To know that there is a Primary Being
Description: מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה הָרִאשׁוֹנָהThe first positive commandment is,ובִלְשׁוֹן הָרַמְבַּ"ם "לֵידַע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם מָצוּי רִאשׁוֹן מַמְצִיא כָל נִמְצָא כוaccording to the wording of Rambam, “To know that there is a Primary Being who brings into being all existence…וִידִיעַת דָּבָר זֶה מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה וּכְמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלוֹקֶיךָKnowing this concept [fulfills] a positive commandment, as it is written, ‘I am G‑d, your L‑rd.’ “הִיא מִצְוַת הַמּוֹחַ וְהַשֵּׂכֶלThis mitzvah centers on the brain and the mind.וְהַיְנוּ דַהֲגַם דְּכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל הוּא מַאֲמִין בַּה' בֶּאֱמוּנָה פְּשׁוּטָהAlthough every single Jew believes in G‑d with simple faithוּלְבָבוֹ תָּמִים עִם הand his heart is wholly and artlessly with G‑d,חוֹבַת הַמּוֹחַ וְהַשֵּׂכֶל לְהָבִיא אֱמוּנָה זוֹ בִּידִיעָה וַהֲשָׂגָהthe brain and mind are obligated to bring this faith to the point of knowledge and comprehension."וְזֶהוּ "לֵידַע שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁם מָצוּי רִאשׁוֹןThis is what is meant by the obligation “to know that there is a Primary Being.”עֶר זאָל דאָס וִויסעֶן בַּהֲשָׂגָה וַהֲבָנָה דַוְקָאOne must know this in terms of comprehension and understanding,