Moses Maimonides (moses Ben Maimon) or ârambamâ – Course Note – jhjhj
Search
Essays
Sign up
Sign in
Contact us
Tweet
Index
/Religion
Moses Maimonides (moses Ben Maimon) or ârambamâ
Moses Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) or âRambamâMoses ben Maimon (1135â1204 CE) was one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of all time, who has influenced present-day Judaism as well as his own era. Moses Maimonides (also known as Rambam) is known as âthe second Mosesâ as a way of comparing his influence on Jewish life to that of Moses of the Jewish scriptures.Moses Maimonidesâ lifeMoses Maimonides was born in 1135 CE in Cordoba, Spain, as Moses the son of Maimon, a scholar of some significance. Maimon ensured Moses received instruction from a number of Arabic masters. When he was 13 years of age, his Jewish family was forced to wander Spain in a nomadic existence because the Muslim Almohades, from Africa, had invaded, promoting a new enthusiasm for Islam in Spain. In 1160, the family of Maimonides moved to Fez in northern Africa, initially trying to pass as Muslims. In this famous city of learning, Moses was quickly recognised as a scholar of some note, having begun his commentary on the Mishnah (also speltMishneh). He was a well-rounded scholar, having studied astronomy, law, religion and philosophy. Having been identified as a Jew and thus being in danger of execution as a âlapsed Muslimâ, Maimonides moved his family to Egypt in 1165. Here Maimonides helped his brother trade gems to make money. His brotherâs early death prompted Maimonides to study medicine, and he became private physician to the Egyptian ruler Grand Vizier Al Qadi al Fadil, and then to the famous warrior against the European crusaders, Saladin. As one of the leading Jews of Egypt, Maimonidesâ skill was recognised in the Jewish community and he became the nagid, leader of the Egyptian Jews (a post held by four generations of his family). He served as spokesman for the Jewish community with the Muslim authorities in Egypt.Between 1158 and 1190 Moses Maimonides wrote many works, including a commentary on the Mishnah, the Code Mishneh Torah, and a philosophical work, the Moreh Nevukhim (Guide for the Perplexed). Maimonides became acknowledged as a great intellectual of his time, his works ranging from the medical, including treatises on personal hygiene and proper eating habits, and the great theological works for which he is most remembered. Maimonides was influenced by Christian, Greek and Muslim philosophers, as well as his own Jewish background. He supported the views of Aristotle that, while there are limitations to knowing Godâs attributes directly, Godâs people have a duty, through reason, to comprehend the divine mind. God is rational and so can be understood rationally.
Moses Maimonides is best known for his comprehensive writing including the Mishneh Torah, which was published in 1180, having been written over the previous ten years. In the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides codified the Oral Law in fourteen volumes, arranged topically, that could be used by Jewish judges. It is a distillation of the Talmud into a simple code so that all Jews could understand the requirements of the law without lengthy study. It drew on ancient law as well as contemporary issues. As it was written in Hebrew, it was a clearly presented and accessible work and formed the basis for subsequent Jewish legal codes.In 1190, Maimonides published the Guide for the Perplexed, a great theological and philosophical work that discussed the nature of God. It was deliberately written in difficult language so that only scholars could understand it. The Guide was controversial, dividing Judaism at the time, but has had a profound influence on the medieval world and on Judaism since. He also compiled a version of the 613 commandments of Judaism in his Book of Commandments.Contribution to the development and expression of JudaismMaimonidesâ Jewish writings are available today and his Mishneh Torah provided the basis for all subsequent codes of Jewish law. His philosophical Treatise on Logic has been published in many languages. He also wrote many medical texts that are still available, such as his works on poisons, haemorrhoids, asthma and temperaments. Maimonidesâ writing was so influential in the years that followed that Jewish scholarship for centuries was divided into supporters and opponents of his ideas. Many largely accepted his ideas but remained suspicious where they seemed to contradict religious tradition. His work was also used by Christian scholars, notably by Thomas Aquinas who often referred in his writings to Rabbi Moses. He was uniquely able to draw together the ideas of the Graeco-Roman world, the Muslim and Arab world, and the Jewish and Western world. It is said of him that: âFrom Moses [of the Jewish Bible] to Moses [Maimonides], there is none like Mosesâ. Maimonidesâ work is still regarded by many as the greatest Jewish writing, aside from the Torah, ever written.
Continue for 4 more pages »
Read full document
Download as (for upgraded members)
Citation Generator
MLA 7
CHICAGO
(2017, 03). Moses Maimonides (moses Ben Maimon) or ârambamâ. EssaysForStudent.com. Retrieved 03, 2017, from
“Moses Maimonides (moses Ben Maimon) or ârambamâ” EssaysForStudent.com. 03 2017. 2017. 03 2017 <
"Moses Maimonides (moses Ben Maimon) or ârambamâ." EssaysForStudent.com. EssaysForStudent.com, 03 2017. Web. 03 2017. <
"Moses Maimonides (moses Ben Maimon) or ârambamâ." EssaysForStudent.com. 03, 2017. Accessed 03, 2017.
Essay Preview
By: jhjhj
Submitted: March 5, 2017
Essay Length: 1,042 Words / 5 Pages
Paper type: Course Note Views: 253
Report this essay
Tweet
Related Essays
Moses and the Burning Bush, Exodus 3:1 -15
The story of Moses comes about after Genesis, were the covenant is to be continued through him and Godâs people. The story starts with
1,040 Words  |  5 Pages
Moses Vs Abraham
In the Old Testament, Abraham and Moses were two very prominent leaders chosen by God to do his will. Throughout Genesis and Exodus, both men
828 Words  |  4 Pages
Moses and the Burning Bush
Two men are walking to temple. The older man says to the younger man, âSo, do you know why the Jewish people arenât voting for
2,273 Words  |  10 Pages
Abraham & Moses
Abram is presented to us as an old man without an offspring or heir. He is at the age of seventy-five when God comes to
1,155 Words  |  5 Pages
Similar Topics
Ben Franklin
Get Access to 89,000+ Essays and Term Papers
Join 209,000+ Other Students
High Quality Essays and Documents
Sign up
© 2008â2020 EssaysForStudent.comFree Essays, Book Reports, Term Papers and Research Papers
Essays
Sign up
Sign in
Contact us
Site Map
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Facebook
Twitter