This shiur was generously sponsored by an anonymous donor for the merit of the speedy, safe and healthy return of the Hostages. The source sheet for this shiur is available ⁠here⁠ Highlights: Why doesn't Maimonides include a good imagination among the human virtues? What the imagination does and what makes it good The definition of prophecy, the human being's highest perfection Prophets need to have a good imagination Animals also have an imaginative faculty on a par with humans What imagination does, and how it is similar to and differs from reason The imagination can't avoid materialism Prophecy is not a characteristic inherent to being human Three opinions about prophecy Analyzing Maimonides' understanding of prophecy There are two ways to view man: As intellect alone, or as a composite of intellect and body The imagination is part of man's perfection only from the perspective of as a composite being comprised of intellect and body as well Why many wise people didn't become prophets Those who consider prophecy a characteristic inherent to being human consider man to be a body This series is a project of the Jacob Lights Foundation.