Siman 408

(2.) And he greatly mocked what is written there about those who say — regarding the giving of the Torah — that G-d forbid Moses our teacher, upon him be peace, used his wisdom to devise schemes etc. And it is forbidden to repeat such words even in jest, G-d save us. May G-d save us from such corrupt alien ideas! Woe to whoever has even one such thought enter him. And one need not refute such foolishness. And it is already explained in several books... And it is already explained in several books of the ancients at length that they cried out against the aforementioned books of investigations, as is publicized. And although much is found of those who defended him, it is already known that they did so only for the honor of the Torah, because he composed wondrous books on all the laws — such as the Sefer HaYad. And also Rabbainu za.tza.l said that in the Sefer HaYad, in the places where he speaks of the laws, he did well — but in the book Moreh Nevuchim, may Hashem forgive him for the corruptions in it, which have no like, touching the foundations of our holy Torah, as is publicized. And how is it possible to deny the senses — for whoever looks there sees with clear sight that his words are against the Torah and against the words of our Sages of blessed memory. And also in the Sefer HaYad, in the places where he speaks of investigations, he corrupted greatly — as is explained in the books that cry out bitterly over what he said, that in his first four chapters he explains all the Work of the Chariot and the Work of Creation. Woe to the eyes that see so! Woe to the heart into which enters any such bad notion, which is against all the books of truth that we received from the divine tanna, Rebbe Shimon ben Yochai, and from the Ariza.l za.tza.l, etc. And you, who look into it — if you are frightened and afraid to touch his honor, I too acknowledge you; but it is forbidden to look at the places where he speaks of investigations, lest you lose your World to Come — as several of the bad sects found today have been lost, who lean their bad words upon such things and set up these books before them as a shield and shelter. And set your mind and understand before whom it is fitting for you to fear more: before the book Moreh Nevuchim, built upon the notions of Aristotle the Greek — may his name be blotted out and his memory erased — or, to distinguish, the holy Zohar and the Ariza.l o.b.m., which Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai and his companions o.b.m. composed in the holy spirit and according to Eliyahu o.b.m., and all their words are received, one from the mouth of another, back to Moshe Rabbainu, upon him be peace. And what they innovated in them was in the holy spirit, at a very high level, and they strengthen and uphold our holy faith greatly — which began from Avraham Avinu, upon him be peace, etc. — and urge very much to fulfill the Torah of Moshe in all its particulars and exactitudes. To distinguish: the aforementioned books are the opposite of all this, as is known and publicized. Fortunate is he who does not mislead himself with them, and chooses in true truth: