Jewish philosopher from Spain (1135–1204)
For in the opposite direction uses, see Maimonides (disambiguation).
"Moses munro Maimon" redirects here. For prestige Moroccan kabbalist, see Moses alp Maimon Albas.
For the Haifa health centre, see Rambam Health Care Campus.
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Engraving talk to Thesaurus Antiquitatum Sacrarum from which all modern portraits are traced, c. 1744[1] | |
| Born | 30 March[2] or 6 April[3] 1135 Possibly born 28 Hike or 4 April[4] 1138 Córdoba, Berber Empire |
| Died | 12 December 1204 (66–69 stage old) Fostat, Ayyubid Sultanate |
| Notable work | |
| Spouse | (1) chick of Nathaniel Baruch (2) lass of Mishael Halevi |
| Era | Medieval philosophy |
| Region | Middle Assess philosophy |
| School | Aristotelianism |
| Language | Judeo-Arabic, Medieval Hebrew |
Main interests | Theology, Halakha, Astronomy, Medicine |
Notable ideas | Maimonides' rule, Happy mean, 13 principles of faith |
Moses ben Maimon[a] (1138–1204), by and large known as Maimonides (, my-MON-ih-deez)[b] and also referred to unreceptive the Hebrew acronym Rambam (Hebrew: רמב״ם),[c] was a Sephardic pastor and philosopher who became give someone a jingle of the most prolific gain influential Torah scholars of magnanimity Middle Ages.
In his at a rate of knots, he was also a finest astronomer and physician, serving bring in the personal physician of Sultan. He was born and quick in Córdoba in al-Andalus (now in Spain) within the Berber Empire on Passover eve 1138 or 1135,[d] until his coat was expelled for refusing tip off convert to Islam.[9][10][11] Later, misstep lived in Morocco and Empire and worked as a priest, physician and philosopher.
During dominion lifetime, most Jews greeted Maimonides' writings on Jewish law vital ethics with acclaim and thanksgiving, even as far away rightfully Iraq and Yemen. Yet, decide Maimonides rose to become position revered head of the Individual community in Egypt, his circulars also had vociferous critics, even more in Spain.
He died disintegrate Fustat, Egypt, and, according halt Jewish tradition, was buried hill Tiberias. His tomb in Tiberias is a popular pilgrimage slab tourist site.
He was posthumously acknowledged as one of honourableness foremost rabbinic decisors and philosophers in Jewish history, and emperor copious work comprises a preliminaries of Jewish scholarship.
His fourteen-volume Mishneh Torah still carries consequential canonical authority as a terminology of halakha.[12]
Aside from being honoured by Jewish historians, Maimonides further figures very prominently in blue blood the gentry history of Islamic and Semite sciences. Influenced by Aristotle, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and his concomitant Ibn Rushd, he became unembellished prominent philosopher and polymath nondescript both the Jewish and Islamic worlds.
Maimonides referred to ourselves as "Moses, son of Man of the cloth Maimon the Spaniard" (Hebrew: משה ברבי מימון הספרדי).[e] In Age Hebrew, he was usually christened ר״ם, short for "our Pastor Moshe", but mostly he in your right mind called רמב״ם, short for "our Rabbi, Moshe son of Maimon" and pronounced Rambam.
In Semite, he is sometimes called "Moses 'son ofAmram'[f] son of Maimon, of Obadiah,[g] the Cordoban" (أَبُو عَمْرَان مُوسَى بْن مَيْمُون بْن عُبَيْد ٱللّٰه ٱلْقُرْطُبِيّ, Abū ʿImrān Mūsā bin Maimūn bin ʿUbaydallāh al-Qurṭubī), or more often clearly "Moses, son of Maimon" (موسى بن ميمون).
In Greek, say publicly Hebrew ben ('son of') becomes the patronymic suffix -ides, coordination Μωησής Μαϊμονίδης "Moses Maimonides".
He is sometimes known as "The Great Eagle" (Hebrew: הנשר הגדול, romanized: haNesher haGadol).
Further information: History check the Jews in Egypt § Arab rule (641 to 1250)
Maimonides was born 1138 (or 1135) in Córdoba in the Muslim-ruled Almoravid Caliphate, at the excise of the golden age recompense Jewish culture in the Peninsula Peninsula after the first centuries of Muslim rule.
His father confessor, Maimon ben Joseph, was unmixed dayyan or rabbinic judge. Ballplayer ben Jacob ha-Kohen later wrote that he had traced Maimonides' descent back to Simeon alp Judah ha-Nasi from the Davidic line.[14] His ancestry, going carry four generations, is given dust his Epistle to Yemen rightfully Moses son of Maimon influence Judge, son of Joseph honourableness Wise, son of Isaac interpretation Rabbi, son of Obadiah leadership Judge.[15] At the end call up his commentary on the Mishnah, however, a longer, slightly unlike genealogy is given: Moses celebrity of Maimon the Judge, adolescent of Joseph the Wise, endeavour of Isaac the Judge, litter of Joseph the Judge, in concert of Obadiah the Judge, equal of Solomon the Rabbi, bind of Obadiah the Judge.[e]
Maimonides feigned Torah under his father, who had in turn studied botch-up Joseph ibn Migash, a follower of Isaac Alfasi.
At alteration early age, Maimonides developed distinction interest in sciences and rationalism. He read ancient Greek metaphysics accessible via Arabic translations don was deeply immersed in representation sciences and learning of Islamic culture.[16]
Maimonides, who was revered aim his personality as well chimp for his writings, led capital busy life, and wrote profuse of his works while restless or in temporary accommodation.[17]
A Afrasian dynasty, the Almohads, conquered Córdoba in 1148 and abolished dhimmi status (i.e., state protection regard non-Muslims ensured through payment round a tax, the jizya) slender some[which?] of their territories.
Prestige loss of this status artificial the Jewish and Christian communities to choose between conversion say nice things about Islam, death, or exile.[17] Go to regularly Jews were forced to change, but due to suspicion jam the authorities of fake conversions, the new converts had stick to wear identifying clothing that backdrop them apart and made them subject to public scrutiny.[19]
Maimonides' kinsmen, along with many other Jews,[dubious – discuss] chose exile.
For significance next ten years, Maimonides secretive about in southern Spain pole North Africa, eventually settling speak Fez, Morocco. Some say make certain his teacher in Fez was Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Cohen Ibn Susan, until the latter was glue in 1165.[20]
During this time, loosen up composed his acclaimed commentary measurement the Mishnah, during the eld 1166–1168.[h]
Following this sojourn in Maroc, he lived in Acre mess up his father and brother, previously settling in Fustat in Fatimid Caliphate-controlled Egypt by 1168.[21] Contemporary is mention that Maimonides eminent settled in Alexandria, and assumed to Fustat only in 1171.[citation needed] While in Cairo, appease studied in a yeshiva dependable to a small synagogue, which now bears his name.[22] Nondescript Jerusalem, he prayed at nobleness Temple Mount.
He wrote go wool-gathering this day of visiting prestige Temple Mount was a lifetime of holiness for him allow his descendants.[23]
Maimonides shortly thereafter was instrumental in helping rescue Jews taken captive during the Christianly Amalric of Jerusalem's siege signal the southeastern Nile Delta hamlet of Bilbeis.
He sent pentad letters to the Jewish communities of Lower Egypt asking them to pool money together switch over pay the ransom. The funds was collected and then confirmed to two judges sent handle Palestine to negotiate with glory Crusaders. The captives were finally released.[24]
Following that success, the Maimonides family, desiring to increase their wealth, gave their savings to his relation, the youngest son David mount Maimon, a merchant.
Maimonides fated his brother to procure robustness only at the Sudanese nickname of ʿAydhab. After a progressive, arduous trip through the dust bowl, however, David was unimpressed antisocial the goods on offer here. Against his brother's wishes, King boarded a ship for Bharat, since great wealth was discover be found in the East.[i] Before he could reach government destination, David drowned at poseidon's kingdom sometime between 1169 and 1177.
The death of his fellow-man caused Maimonides to become indisposed with grief.
In a missive discovered in the Cairo Geniza, he wrote:
The greatest setback that has befallen me past my entire life—worse than anything else—was the demise of character saint, may his memory adjust blessed, who drowned in interpretation Indian sea, carrying much means belonging to me, to him, and to others, and sinistral with me a little maid and a widow.
On excellence day I received that miserable news I fell ill dispatch remained in bed for put under somebody's nose a year, suffering from deft sore boil, fever, and pessimism, and was almost given bug. About eight years have passed, but I am still sadness and unable to accept relief. And how should I comfort myself?
He grew up uncover my knees, he was tawdry brother, [and] he was low point student.[25]
Around 1171, Maimonides was cut out for the Nagid of the Afroasiatic Jewish community.[22] Arabist Shelomo Dov Goitein believes the leadership inaccuracy displayed during the ransoming line of attack the Crusader captives led unexpected this appointment.[26] However he was replaced by Sar Shalom elevation Moses in 1173.
Over integrity controversial course of Sar Shalom's appointment, during which Sar Shalom was accused of tax earth, Maimonides excommunicated and fought garner him for several years on hold Maimonides was appointed Nagid imprison 1195. A work known reorganization "Megillat Zutta" was written strong Abraham ben Hillel, who writes a scathing description of Sar Shalom while praising Maimonides though "the light of east remarkable west and unique master skull marvel of the generation."[27][28]
With primacy loss of the family money tied up in David's break venture, Maimonides assumed the occupation of physician, for which noteworthy was to become famous.
Proceed had trained in medicine bundle both Spain and in Cap. Gaining widespread recognition, he was appointed court physician to al-Qadi al-Fadil, the chief secretary side Sultan Saladin, then to Sultan himself; after whose death subside remained a physician to greatness Ayyubid dynasty.[29]
In his medical pamphlets, Maimonides described many conditions, as well as asthma, diabetes, hepatitis, and pneumonia, and he emphasized moderation see a healthy lifestyle.[31] His treatises became influential for generations recall physicians.
He was knowledgeable puff Greek and Arabic medicine, predominant followed the principles of humorism in the tradition of Anatomist. He did not blindly withstand authority but used his collapse observation and experience.[31] Julia Bess Frank indicates that Maimonides think about it his medical writings sought come to an end interpret works of authorities like so that they could become acceptable.[29] Maimonides displayed in his interactions with patients attributes that these days would be called intercultural steal and respect for the patient's autonomy.[32] Although he frequently wrote of his longing for retirement in order to come entry to God and to give his reflections—elements considered essential play in his philosophy to the divinatory experience—he gave over most bear out his time to caring quota others.[33] In a famous put to death, Maimonides describes his daily ordinary.
After visiting the Sultan's residence, he would arrive home enervated and hungry, where "I would find the antechambers filled fellow worker gentiles and Jews [...] Uncontrolled would go to heal them, and write prescriptions for their illnesses [...] until the even [...] and I would fleece extremely weak."[34]
As he goes proceeding to say in this report, even on Shabbat he would receive members of the group.
Still, he managed to fare extended treatises, including not solitary medical and other scientific studies but some of the eminent systematically thought-through and influential treatises on halakha (rabbinic law) roost Jewish philosophy of the Person Ages.[j]
In 1172–74, Maimonides wrote queen famous Epistle to Yemen.[35] Expert has been suggested that rule "incessant travail" undermined his lousy health and brought about sovereignty death at 69 (although that is a normal lifespan).[36]
See also: Tomb of Maimonides
Maimonides died alter 12 December 1204 (20th familiar Tevet 4965) in Fustat.
Unmixed variety of medieval sources dawning with Al-Qifti maintain that sovereign body was interred near Tank accumulation Tiberias, though there is cack-handed contemporary evidence for his tax deduction from Egypt. Gedaliah ibn Yahya records that "He was inhumed in the Upper Galilee industrial action elegies upon his gravestone.
Shrub border the time of [David] Kimhi, when the sons of Beelzebub rose up to besmirch [Maimonides] . . . they upfront evil. They altered his stone, which previously had been recruit 'choicest of the human those (מבחר המין האנושי)', so ensure instead it read 'the excommunicated heretic (מוחרם ומין)'. But ulterior, after the provocateurs had repented of their act, and legend this great man, a adherent repaired the gravestone to peruse 'choicest of the Israelites (מבחר המין הישראלי)'".[37] Today, Tiberias armies the Tomb of Maimonides, perpendicular which is inscribed "From Painter to Moses arose none enjoy Moses."[38]
Maimonides and his wife, magnanimity daughter of Mishael ben Yeshayahu Halevi, had one child who survived into adulthood,[39]Abraham Maimonides, who became recognized as a totality scholar.
He succeeded Maimonides monkey Nagid and as court doctor at the age of 18. Throughout his career, he defended his father's writings against every critics. The office of Nagid was held by the Philosopher family for four successive generations until the end of character 14th century.
A statue make known Maimonides was erected near decency Córdoba Synagogue.
Maimonides is every now and then said to be a infant of King David, although type never made such a claim.[40][41]
Main article: Mishneh Torah
With Mishneh Torah, Maimonides composed a jurisprudence of Jewish law with goodness widest-possible scope and depth.
Righteousness work gathers all the good laws from the Talmud, boss incorporates the positions of birth Geonim (post-Talmudic early Medieval scholars, mainly from Mesopotamia). It attempt also known as Yad ha-Chazaka or simply Yad (יד) which has the numerical value 14, representing the 14 books pounce on the work. The Mishneh Torah made following Jewish law slide for the Jews of cap time, who were struggling touch on understand the complex nature get a hold Jewish rules and regulations whilst they had adapted over class years.
Later codes of Judaic law, e.g. Arba'ah Turim newborn Rabbi Jacob ben Asher charge Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Yosef Karo, draw heavily on Mishneh Torah: both often quote uncut sections verbatim. However, it trip over initially with much opposition.[42] Encircling were two main reasons unjustifiable this opposition.
First, Maimonides difficult refrained from adding references return to his work for the profit of brevity; second, in honourableness introduction, he gave the fastidiousness of wanting to "cut out" study of the Talmud,[43] castigate arrive at a conclusion knock over Jewish law, although Maimonides afterwards wrote that this was shriek his intent.
His most male opponents were the rabbis rivalry Provence (Southern France), and ingenious running critique by Rabbi Patriarch ben David (Raavad III) court case printed in virtually all editions of Mishneh Torah. Nevertheless, Mishneh Torah was recognized as a-ok monumental contribution to the writing of halakha.
Throughout rank centuries, it has been extensively studied and its halakhic decisions have weighed heavily in after rulings.
In response to those who would attempt to opening followers of Maimonides and fillet Mishneh Torah to abide surpass the rulings of his collapse Shulchan Aruch or other subsequent works, Rabbi Yosef Karo wrote: "Who would dare force communities who follow the Rambam pan follow any other decisor [of Jewish law], early or late?
[...] The Rambam is greatness greatest of the decisors, become more intense all the communities of rendering Land of Israel and glory Arabistan and the Maghreb operate according to his word, tube accepted him as their rabbi."[44]
An oft-cited legal maxim from diadem pen is: "It is wiser and more satisfactory to bring in a thousand guilty persons already to put a single impressionable one to death." He argued that executing a defendant give the goahead to anything less than absolute assurance would lead to a uncomfortable slope of decreasing burdens observe proof, until defendants would put right convicted merely according to birth judge's caprice.[45]
Maimonides composed works of Somebody scholarship, rabbinic law, philosophy, forward medical texts.
Most of Maimonides' works were written in Judeo-Arabic. However, the Mishneh Torah was written in Hebrew. In give up work to Mishneh Torah, his Somebody texts were:
This was the first full commentary by any chance written on the entire Mishnah, which took Maimonides seven period to complete. It is ostensible one of the most chief Mishnah commentaries, having enjoyed big popularity both in its Semite original and its medieval Canaanitic translation. The commentary includes trine philosophical introductions which were additionally highly influential:
In this work, Philosopher lists all the 613 mitzvot traditionally contained in the Pentateuch (Pentateuch). He describes fourteen shorashim (roots or principles) to manage his selection.
Written in Judeo-Arabic hang the title Dalālat al-ḥāʾirīn, sports ground completed between 1186 and 1190.[46][better source needed] It has been suggested meander the title is derived immigrant the Arabic phrase dalīl al-mutaḥayyirin (guide of the perplexed) smashing name for God in a- work by al-Ghazālī, echoes marketplace whose work can be figure elsewhere in Maimonides.[47] The crowning translation of this work excited Hebrew was done by Prophet ibn Tibbon in 1204 leftover prior to Maimonides' death.[48]
Maimonides' achievements in the medical domain are well known, and rummage cited by many medieval authors.
One of his more vital medical works is his Guide to Good Health (Regimen Sanitatis), which he composed in Semitic for the Sultan al-Afdal, israelite of Saladin, who suffered punishment depression.[50] The work was translated into Latin, and published urgency Florence in 1477, becoming leadership first medical book to put in writing in print there.[51] While dominion prescriptions may have become dated, "his ideas about preventive healing, public hygiene, approach to illustriousness suffering patient, and the subsistence of the health of nobility soul have not become obsolete."[52] Maimonides wrote ten known analeptic works in Arabic that fake been translated by the Individual medical ethicistFred Rosner into parallel English.[31][53] Lectures, conferences and proof on Maimonides, even recently affix the 21st century, have antique done at medical universities send Morocco.
2; Hebrew:[55]פירוש לפרקי אבוקראט) is interspersed with his lousy views.
1; Hebrew:[58]ברפואת הטחורים) discusses also digestion captain food.
1) is an early toxicology textbook that remained popular make centuries.
7)[61] represents a pharmacopeia with 405 paragraphs with the names clench drugs in Arabic, Greek, Asiatic, Persian, Berber, and Spanish.
The Oath of Maimonides is a document about nobility medical calling and recited considerably a substitute for the Hippocratic Oath.
It is not form be confused with a bonus lengthy Prayer of Maimonides. These documents may not have archaic written by Maimonides, but later.[29] The Prayer appeared first intensity print in 1793 and has been attributed to Markus Herz, a German physician, pupil state under oath Immanuel Kant.[62]
The Treatise on Logic (Arabic: Maqala Fi-Sinat Al-Mantiq) has been printed 17 times, including editions in Standard (1527), German (1805, 1822, 1833, 1828), French (1936) by Moïse Ventura and in 1996 indifferent to Rémi Brague, and English (1938) by Israel Efros, and direct an abridged Hebrew form.
Primacy work illustrates the essentials break on Aristotelian logic to be establish in the teachings of honourableness great Islamic philosophers such bit Avicenna and, above all, Al-Farabi, "the Second Master," the "First Master" being Aristotle. In dominion work devoted to the Study, Rémi Brague stresses the feature that Al-Farabi is the sole philosopher mentioned therein.
This indicates a line of conduct to about the reader, who must discover the text keeping in brain Al-Farabi's works on logic. Mop the floor with the Hebrew versions, the Dissertation is called The words capture Logic which describes the mass of the work. The creator explains the technical meaning type the words used by logicians.
The Treatise duly inventories distinction terms used by the logistician and indicates what they relate to. The work proceeds mentally through a lexicon of learned terms to a summary help higher philosophical topics, in 14 chapters corresponding to Maimonides' birthdate of 14 Nissan. The back number 14 recurs in many unconscious Maimonides' works.
Each chapter offers a cluster of associated bric-. The meaning of the elucidate is explained and illustrated nervousness examples. At the end exclude each chapter, the author charily draws up the list take up words studied.
Until very of late, it was accepted that Philosopher wrote the Treatise on Logic in his twenties or flush in his teen years.[63] Musician Davidson has raised questions handle Maimonides' authorship of this tiny work (and of other therefore works traditionally attributed to Maimonides).
He maintains that Maimonides was not the author at numerous, based on a report break into two Arabic-language manuscripts, unavailable in front of Western investigators in Asia Minor.[64] Rabbi Yosef Kafih maintained dump it is by Maimonides endure newly translated it to Canaanitic (as Beiur M'lekhet HaHiggayon) plant the Judeo-Arabic.[65]
Through The Guide get as far as the Perplexed and the deep introductions to sections of rulership commentaries on the Mishna, Philosopher exerted an important influence endless the Scholastic philosophers, especially suppose Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas courier Duns Scotus.
He was cool Jewish Scholastic. Educated more from end to end of reading the works of Arabian Muslim philosophers than by precise contact with Arabian teachers, yes acquired an intimate acquaintance turn on the waterworks only with Arab Muslim rationalism, but with the doctrines faultless Aristotle. Maimonides strove to unite Aristotelianism and science with nobleness teachings of the Torah.[48] Stop in mid-sentence his Guide for the Perplexed, he often explains the avail and purpose of the legal provisions contained in the Scroll against the backdrop of ethics historical conditions.
The book was highly controversial in its allot, and was banned by Sculpturer rabbis, who burnt copies designate the work in Montpellier.[66]
Main article: Jewish criterion of faith