Question

Hello, honored Rabbi,
I asked the rabbi of our synagogue (Yemenites — Rambamists) whether, in Maimonides’ view, one needs “knowledge” regarding the existence of the blessed Creator, and whether knowledge is also required regarding other matters, such as Torah from Heaven, divine providence, and other topics in Jewish thought. His answer was: “Every matter of faith must involve knowledge and recognition, but knowledge of God is something far more essential and is not at all comparable to the other matters you mentioned. For our entire service of God depends on this knowledge, in the fullest sense, ‘Know the God of your father and serve Him.'”
And I ask: after all, true knowledge according to Maimonides, as I understand him, is rational, intellectual, philosophical knowledge. From my university studies and my personal interest in philosophy, today there is hardly any philosophical argument, on any subject whatsoever — including the existence of God — that does not have a counterargument, leading to a situation where one cannot decide between them. (As far as I know, Rabbi Soloveitchik of blessed memory also claimed this.) And even if we assume that such an argument does exist, only a person who is a philosopher with very sharp thinking, who can “swim easily” through difficult logical arguments, could serve God in the fullest sense — especially since the vast majority of those who serve God are not like that. Moreover, the vast majority of the sages of Israel do not encourage, and some even forbid, the study of general philosophy or Jewish philosophy, or in general any reading in this field (for example: Guide for the Perplexed, the first chapter of Duties of the Heart, and so on). So I do not understand his answer: “for our entire service of God depends on this knowledge, in the fullest sense, ‘Know the God of your father and serve Him.'” Does that mean that for 99% of the people, their service of God is deficient, even though they observe God’s commandments according to Jewish law? Sorry for the length of the question.
I would be interested in your answer as one of your students.
Thank you very much,
Eyal Ben-David