The Limits of Human Knowledge | August 9, 2026

See today's text here! In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Shoftim, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Sefer HaAgadah about the limits of Jewish inquiry. The Parashah section examines the command to appoint judges and officers who both determine and enforce the law. Rabbi Rubenstein emphasizes that justice must be actively maintained within society, with courts and systems that ensure the law is followed. The Rambam section explains that proper prayer requires focused intention: clearing the mind, recognizing that one stands before God, and praying sincerely. If someone is too troubled or distracted to achieve this, Rambam says they should wait until they can properly compose themselves. The final section introduces Sefer HaAgadah and a teaching about investigating creation. Jewish inquiry should extend back to creation but not beyond the boundaries of time, space, and knowledge accessible to human beings. Today's text: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v468CCM9XpiwY46d_pwadw2AxdmqUskr/view?usp=sharing Learn more at exploringjudaism.org/thedailyderech and reach out to Rabbi Rubenstein here.