Maggid Mishneh

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  1. Rabbeinu Vidal De Tolouse wrote the classic commentary on the Rambam known as Maggid Mishneh.
  2. The Kenesset HaGedolah writes that wherever the Maggid Mishneh says he couldn't find a proof for the Rambam, he doesn't agree.[1] Some even say if he doesn't provide a proof, even without articulating that lack of finding, it's an indication of disagreement.[2]
  3. A contemporary of the Rivash[3], the Maggid Mishneh's allegiance to the Rashba[4] is indicative through his thorough familiarity with the Rashba's opinions.[5] Therefore, when in doubt as to how to understand the Rashba's opinion, the Maggid Mishneh's understanding is a valuable and acceptable window to determining what the Rashba means.[6] Some say the opposite is therefore a valuable tool of understanding the Maggid Mishneh, as well.[7]
  4. His tremendous dedication to elucidating the Rambam gives the Maggid Mishneh credence in deciding what the true explanation is when the Rambam's position is debatable, according to the Radbaz.[8]
  5. The Rivash posits that when the Maggid Mishneh refers to the Rambam as "HaMechaber" and not "Rabbenu," it indicates lack of satisfaction with the Rambam's position on his part,[9] but the Chida argues that the verbiage is arbitrary.[10]
  6. The first three Perakim of Maggid Mishneh on Hilchot Gerushin (until Halacha 9) were not extant even in the times of the Maggid Mishneh himself; what we have printed was probably written by a student, not the Maggid Mishneh himself.[11]
  7. He and the Ran refer to each other as "Yesh Mi SheKatav."[12]
  8. Maggid Mishneh doesn't usually refer to Perush HaMishnayot.[13]
  9. See Toldot Chachmei Yisrael (Shulman, vol. 3 page 137) for a humorous story about him and the Ritva.

Sources

  1. Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRav HaMaggid 1)
  2. Matnat Yado fn. 1
  3. Shu"t HaRivash Siman 473
  4. Matnat Yado fn. 5 writes how the Radbaz claims he was a Talmid of the Rashba, but the Chidah argues the dates don't line up.
  5. Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Vav 4)
  6. Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRav HaMaggid 2)
  7. Matnat Yado fn 3
  8. Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRav HaMaggid 3), Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Vav 4)
  9. Shu"t HaRivash Siman 168, Shu"t HaRashbetz vol. 4 Tur 3 Siman 2 end of s.v. ואין לומר, Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRav HaMaggid 4)
  10. Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Vav 4). See Sdei Chemed (Klalei HaPoskim 7:1), Kovetz Ohr Yisrael (vol. 54 page 207), and Matnat Yado fn. 7 at length
  11. See the last line of Shu"t HaRivash Siman 117. The Kessef Mishneh (Hilchot Ishut 3:5) even refers to the commentary as the Mefaresh. Yad Malachi (Klalei HaRav HaMaggid 5)
  12. Shem HaGedolim (Gedolim, Vav 4) citing Shu"t Maharikash Siman 113
  13. Yad Malachi (Klalei HaTur 26) and Matnat Yado ad loc fn. 88