Rambam on Esoterica - Is It Good For All?

Hil. Yesodei Hatorah 4:11 (Touger-Moznayim)

Rambam:

"... Because not every person has the vast knowledge to grasp the interpretation and the explanation of these matters in a complete manner."

Touger: In his commentary to the Mishna Chagiga 2:1 the Rambam writes:

The masses will understand very little of these matters. Should a simple person be exposed to them, his faith will be confused and he will think (THINK) they contradict the truth"

Shma mina Trei:

1. 1 That There are esoteric sections of Torah. The Torah has components for both the masses and components for "yechidei segulah"
2. 2. That Esoteric Sections are subject to abuse by the un-initiated.

Here we see the Mithnaged position on Qabbalah etc.

• That it exists
  YET
• It's not for everyone.

Disclaimer: Rambam's view of ma'aseh merkaba may or may not correspond to what we NOW call Qabbalah. That is not essential to this point about Esoterica in general.

KT
RRW