All Rabbis are NOT Created Equal part 8

The next group of online rabbis I wish to deal with is those who have "discovered" a hitherto unnoticed statement of RAMBAM. RAMBAM usually writes in a clear and concise manner. His Hebrew is nearly flawless (with the exception of a few Arabisms), but this is also deceptive. First of all, he does not always define his terms.  For example, he says Hannukah candles must be lit exactly  at shki'ah. But authorities differ if shki'ah, in RAMBAM, means "sundown", or "when the stars come out". Some rabbis do fancy detective work, comparing RAMBAM's use of the word in other contexts. Too bad he didn't tell us what he really meant. Between his various compositions, he often contradicts himself. Rabbis scramble to try to reconcile these contradictions. However, RAMBAM himself writes that he contradicts himself in order to throw simple-minded people off the track, leaving his true meaning to be determined by the truly wise. Beyond that, some of his commentators were sure he couldn't have really meant one statement or another, and "fixed" the text. In many areas, he differs widely from the views of other, earlier rabbis, but rarely explains himself. One famous rabbi, writing at the turn of the twentieth century, built huge halachic and philosophical essays based upon his interpretation of unusual wordings or phrases in RAMBAM. But the twentieth century saw the discovery of the oldest manuscripts, one with RAMBAM's own signature on every page. Lo and behold, these unusual wordings were not there! They were either censor's "corrections", or copyists' and printers' errors. So this rabbi's writings, considered masterpieces in some circles, can be seen as a sad example of reading into a text. I love studying RAMBAM's halachic works, but I am careful to keep all of these things in mind. I use Rav Yosef Kappah's edition, in which he points out all the corruptions of the text, and tries to discern the real meaning. However, "little foxes spoil the vineyard" (Song of Songs 2:15), and "rabbis' of dubious credentials or knowledge announce that they have discovered a new statement in RAMBAM, that is a game-changer. Instead of publishing these ideas for peer review, they go to YouTube. Often, they do so with smirks and giggles, mocking any who refuse to see what is so obvious to them. Sadly, the response from many rabbis is to accuse them of "turf" violations (WE are the rabbis here! You'd better toe the mark!). These upstarts' arguments are easily refuted, but they have not been offered in a way that would make any legitimate rabbi take them seriously. Beginners in Judaism are convinced by their claims, and act on them, which rabbis see as a threat. When I watch one of these videos, and I hear the "rabbi" mispronounce basic Hebrew terms, my puzzlement is answered. I am only left to wonder at how much money he paid for his smichah, if, indeed, he has one. The layman is left confused and disillusioned.  "Messianic" rabbis are, for the most part, pure deception. They give the impression of being actual ordained rabbis, who have found Jesus. If there are rabbis like that, I am unaware of them. Although a few are Jews, most are not.Most are ordained Ministers of the Gospel, who put on an act of deception. Many dress like Chabad hasidim; Borsalino hat (with a pinch in the front) pulled down over their foreheads. In true Russian style (as opposed to those who joined Chabad later), they have a pained expression on their faces, looking like they are in dire need of a laxative. Some show some knowledge of sources, others are clearly making it up as they go along. As one of our members quipped to me "Messianic Judaism is Christianity with a tallit." That is not to say that some aren't genuinely searching for answers, but most are simply missionaries preying upon Jews (and others) with lies and deception. The message is almost always a fundamentalist version of Christianity, with Jewish window dressing. In short, caveat emptor.