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We conclude Chapter 11 of Avodah Zarah, exploring more of the law around magic and magic-users, here getting a glimpse into Maimonides' philosophical understanding of supernatural phenomena and their moral danger

Starting Chapter 11, we explore the impact of idolatry on day to day practices – from how to cut your hair, what clothes to wear, and how (and if) one should relate to astrologers, fortune-tellers, and magicians.

Devoted exclusively to Chapter 10 of Hilkhot Avodah Zarah, this week we dive into the laws regarding Jewish sovereignty and its implications for our relationships with idolaters living in the Land of Israel. Both compelling and challenging, these laws help clarify how we are meant to see ourselves as well as others.

In the remainder of Chapter 9 of Avodah Zarah, we explore more fascinating commercial interactions between Jews, idolaters and apostate Jews and learn the ways in which financial instruments are used to navigate the borders between them in space and time

We begin Chapter 9 of Avodah Zarah, focussing on the question of intimacy with idolaters in the realm of time – how long before their festivals do you have to stop doing business with them? Can a Jew accept a Christmas present?

We conclude Chapter 8 with a look at our relationship with idolaters and idolatry, but in particular, with idols themselves

We begin Chapter 8, continuing out theme of the benefit we can (and cannot derive) from idolatry, here focussed particularly on the relationship with the natural world (mountains, trees, and religious sites)

We conclude Chapter 7 and its discussions of benefits from idolatry with some interesting (and unlikely!) cases

We continue the quest to understand Avodah Zarah - beginning the topic of gaining benefit from idolatrous worship

We discuss the laws of Molech (and the offering of children thereto) and the issues around prostration, particularly upon stone

We continue the discussion of the Mesit (proselytiser) and begin to look at the issues of Ov and Yidoni in Chapter 6 (Sorcery)

We continue the discussion of proselytism with the Mésit (missionary) and the consequences for the Musat (the one converted by a proselytiser)

Concluding the laws of the Ir haNidahat (the condemned city) and beginning to look at the law of missionaries and proselytism (haMésit)

We begin our exploration of Chapter 4 and the laws of Ir haNidachat (the Condemned City), a fascinating test case in rabbinic jurisprudence

Concluding Chapter 3, we investigate the laws of representational art and its relation to idolatry

Blasphemy!

Introducing the core concepts behind a halakhic idea of idolatry

We continue the history of idolatry and begin to introduce the key concepts and ideal behind the laws of Avodah Zarah

We conclude the laws of Torah Study and begin Rambam's aetiology of idolatry in the laws of Avodah Zarah

Continuing the exploration of the laws of Nidui (Ostracism) and Herem (Excommunication)

Concluding Chapter 6 of Hilkhot Talmud Torah, we look at the behaviour expected of rabbis and leaders, and what tools one has to publicly shame someone who is misbehaving (Nidui and Herem)

We continue our exploration of the codes of honour, this time regarding Sages in general (rabbinim students of the wise, and others)

Continuing our study of Chapter 5, the reverence and respect due to teachers by students – and what students are owed from their teachers

Starting Chapter 5, we explore how and when one is due respect to their teacher

In the conclusion of Chapter 4, we look more at what makes for a good student, a good question, and the best classroom environment

Finishing Chapter 3 and moving into Chapter 4, Rambam investigates what makes for an ideal student and a good teacher.

In the continuation of Chapter 3, we look at the ideal image of a Torah scholar, particularly how it relates to work and making a living. Rambam's detailed takedown anyone who would claim wisdom but eschew work is a refreshing and needed reminder in today's Jewish world.

Rambam continues exploring the principles of education

We start on the laws of Torah study with general principles about learning – who can and should learn, when and how often, and to what extent does the obligation to education apply to ourselves as well as our children.

We conclude Hilkhot Dé'ot with more on the laws of speech as well as guidance around grudges and vengeance (both bad!)

We conclude Chapter 6 with a look at the significance of the socially vulnerable in our ethics and then turn to Chapter 7, the final bit of Dé'ot, which focusses extensively on the laws of speech.

We review (almost all of) Chapter 6 of Hilkhot Dé'ot – a chapter discussing the importance of good friends, and friends who are good enough to tell you off when you're not so good!

In the conclusion to Chapter 5 of Dé'ot, we cover the personal, sartorial and financial behaviour of talmidé hakhamim.

In the first half of Chapter 5 we review the behaviours expected of a Sage – in eating, drinking, bathing, sexual intimacy, and even in toilet habits..

In the second half of Chapter 4 of Hilkhot Dé'ot, we dive into Rambam's medicinal recommendations for eating, drinking, bathing, and having a healthy sex life.

The start of Chapter 4, all about food and medicine

In the third chapter of Dé'ot, Rambam walks us through some of the concepts critical to good behaviour, exploring asceticism and hedonism, the balanced life, and what it means to have kavvanah

We continue our exploration of morality, with Rambam suggesting a model of medicalisation and defining further the categories of Hakham, Hasid and Tsaddik.

As we turn to Hilkhot Dé'ot, we see the groundwork for Rambam's concept of morality and moral behaviour

A final look at prophets, true and false

We look at how to identify a false prophet and how the chain of authority and assent relates to the text and law of the Torah

What prophets should we believe? What is the nature of belief itself in Judaism?

We look at Ch 7 - beginning the discussion of Nevu'ah (Prophecy)

In Chapter 6 we read all about divine names and divine objects – how we are to determine what is sacred and what is not, and then how we are meant to treat the sacred, particularly the sacred divine names.

Concluding Chapter 5, we explore the situations in which one may transgress Halakhah for therapeutic and medical purposes

We dive into Chapter 5 and into a discussion of Kiddush haShem and Hillul haShem. What is the concept of martyrdom in Judaism? When is one obligated to allow themselves to be killed instead of violating a command.

We conclude Chapter 4 and with it, the introductory chapters covering the esoteric topics of Ma'aseh Merkavah (Theology) and Ma'aseh Merkavah (Science)

We continue Chapter 4 of Yesodé haTorah with an exploration of the human 'soul', the question of what separates humans from other animals, and the basis for the belief that something of us survives death

We begin to look at Chapter 4 of Yesodé haTorah, focussed on the ancient chemical system of Four Elements