This shiur was generously sponsored by Mr. Ari Schwartz. This series is a project of the Jacob Lights Foundation. 6:00 What are the possible reasons one would accept Creation ex Nihilo? 8:00 Avraham and Moshe as authorities and leaders who we follow and from whom we accept the doctrine of Creation ex Nihilo 18:00 Jews are the community of followers of Avraham, their forefather, and Moshe, their prophet 21:45 What a person should do when facing an issue that isn't conclusively proven 30:30 Why authorities determine the appropriate beliefs and how belief is a kind of practice 36:00 The belief in Creation ex Nihilo is a matter of law, not only a matter of scientific truth 45:00 Was Maimonides himself developing original legislation regarding Creation ex Nihilo? 51:00 Why rhetorical arguments in favor of Creation ex Nihilo are appropriate 55:00 Maimonides' original legislation of dogma 57:15 Revelatory prophecy as the source for the belief in Creation ex Nihilo