Let’s take a little trip back to medieval Egypt, where Moses ben Maimon, aka Rambam, is cooking up some deep thoughts on the human soul. But don’t worry, this isn’t some dusty old philosophy that’s impossible to understand—Rambam’s insights are as relevant today as they were almost a thousand years ago, especially when we throw in a bit of millennial humor to keep things interesting.
So, in Chapter 3 of his "Eight Chapters," Rambam dives into the idea that your soul can get sick, just like your body. Yeah, that’s right—your soul can catch a cold, but instead of a runny nose, it’s more like a case of bad judgment, poor choices, and a messed-up moral compass. Now, before you start googling “soul doctors near me,” let’s break down what Rambam is really saying here.
Rambam starts by telling us that just like your body has health and illness, so does your soul. When your soul is healthy, it’s like you’re cruising through life, making good decisions, and generally being a decent human being. But when your soul is sick, things start to go haywire—you think bad things are good, good things are bad, and suddenly eating metaphorical dirt and coal seems like a great idea. Basically, your soul’s taste buds are completely out of whack.
Think about it like this: when you’re physically sick, your sense of taste can get all messed up. You might think something sweet is bitter or something bitter is sweet. You might even crave things that are totally gross to a healthy person, like chewing on ice or eating weird combinations of food (looking at you, pickles and peanut butter). Well, according to Rambam, the same thing happens with your soul. When your soul is sick, you start craving things that are bad for you—like power, greed, or just plain meanness—and you start avoiding the things that are actually good for you, like kindness, humility, and honesty.
Now, here’s where things get real: just like a physically sick person needs a doctor to tell them what to eat, what medicine to take, and what to avoid, a person with a sick soul needs a different kind of doctor—a sage or a wise person who can prescribe the right moral medicine. This isn’t some “take two aspirin and call me in the morning” situation. We’re talking about the kind of advice that might be hard to swallow, like admitting you’re wrong, changing your habits, or facing up to uncomfortable truths.
Rambam doesn’t sugarcoat it—getting your soul healthy again might mean doing some pretty unpleasant things, just like taking bitter medicine or going on a diet when you’re physically sick. But if you don’t do it, if you keep indulging in your bad habits and ignoring the fact that your soul is sick, you’re headed for a serious crash. Think of it like ignoring that check engine light in your car—eventually, you’re going to break down in the middle of nowhere, and it’s not going to be pretty.
But here’s the kicker: some people don’t even realize their soul is sick. They’re walking around thinking everything’s fine, that they’re totally justified in their actions, and that everyone else is the problem. Rambam compares this to a fool who thinks his path is straight, even though it’s leading him right off a cliff. It’s like that friend who insists on taking the “shortcut” that’s really a dead-end, and no amount of GPS guidance can convince them otherwise. If they don’t listen to someone wiser, they’re in for a world of hurt.
On the flip side, there are those who know they’re on the wrong path but just can’t seem to stop. They’re like someone who’s addicted to junk food—they know it’s bad for them, they know they should stop, but that greasy burger just keeps calling their name. These people need the moral equivalent of a health intervention, a wise guide who can help them get back on track before it’s too late.
Rambam wraps up Chapter 3 by pointing out that if you’re morally sick and don’t do anything about it, your end is pretty much guaranteed to be disastrous. But if you recognize that something’s off and seek out wise advice, there’s hope. The sages, the moral doctors, are there to help you figure out what’s really good and what’s really bad, even if it means taking some bitter medicine along the way.
In today’s world, where self-help books and life coaches are everywhere, Rambam’s advice might seem like common sense—but it’s timeless wisdom. We all have moments when we’re not sure if we’re on the right path or when we’re tempted by things that seem good but are actually harmful. Rambam reminds us that our souls, like our bodies, need care and attention. And just like we’d go to a doctor when we’re physically sick, we should seek out wise counsel when our soul needs healing.
So next time you find yourself craving something that’s probably not good for you—whether it’s a toxic relationship, a questionable business deal, or just that third slice of cake—maybe take a step back and ask yourself: is this my soul’s way of telling me it’s time for a check-up? And remember, the road to recovery might be tough, but in the end, it’s the only way to get your soul back to a healthy, happy place.
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