Shadal's Opposition to Philosophical Judaism

Today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (4/9/21) was intended to expand the horizons of my particular students, who (a) have been immersed in a largely Maimonidean Torah framework, and (b) have never been exposed to an anti-Maimonidean polemic. This shiur centered on Shadal's commentary on Devarim 6:5, about ahavas Hashem (love of God), which expressed a number of his criticisms of the philosophical approach to Judaism as taught by many of the Rishonim - especially the Rambam. We read his comments, discussed their strengths and weaknesses, and reflected on the takeaways. Clearly there is a lot more to be said about the many critiques of the Rambam as well as the multifaceted worldview of Shadal, but this shiur was intended to be an introduction - not a comprehensive treatment of either topic.