Did the Rambam Believe in the Supernatural?
Many people assume the Rambam completely rejected the supernatural and did not believe in shedim (demons), but this is a common misunderstanding. In this video, Rabbi Yaron Reuven addresses the reality behind the Rambam’s perspective on shedim, kishuf (witchcraft), and supernatural phenomena. Learn the real reason why the Rambam chose to focus his writings strictly on practical, bottom-line Halacha. Rabbi Reuven says, demons are mentioned in multiple places in the Written and Oral Torah. To not believe in demons would be to deny the Torah, which Rambam says, is heresy against the one of the 13 Principles of Faith. The Rambam was referring to one specific type of Mazzik in Eretz Yisrael, not that they don't exist anywhere. As for witchcraft, some is simply sleight of hand or just superstition, but some is real Kishuf that is punishable by death during the times of the Sanhedrin. Rabbi Reuven says, it's important that a person learns Torah from someone that is educated and to draw from all the relevant sources in order to arrive at the truth.
