Q&A: Maimonides – Ma’aseh Bereishit
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Maimonides – Ma’aseh Bereishit
Question
Maimonides writes that “Ma’aseh Bereishit” is Aristotle’s physics.
I understand that Maimonides related the study of nature as a required field of study.
What about engaging in medicine?
Did Maimonides deal with that because of his advocacy of earning a livelihood?
Is that included in Ma’aseh Bereishit?
What is the definition of Ma’aseh Bereishit? Only the study of nature?
Answer
I have no idea. But I don’t see any difference between physics and the life sciences. Why should one be different from the other? Personally, I don’t think there is any obligation here at all, though it could fall under the category of Torah on the part of the person studying it.