Historical Figure
Maimonides
1135–1204
Medieval Jewish philosopher (1135/1138–1204)
Talk to Maimonides
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Moses ben Maimon, commonly known as Maimonides and also referred to by the Hebrew acronym Rambam, was a Sephardic Jewish rabbi who is widely acknowledged as one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars of the Middle Ages. Originally from Córdoba, where he was born on Passover Eve of 1135 or 1138, his family was exiled from Muslim-ruled Spain when they refused to convert to Islam shortly after the Almohad Caliphate conquered the Almoravid dynasty in 1148. Over the course of the next two decades, Maimonides resided in Fez, Acre, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Cairo before finally settling in Fustat between 1168 and 1171. During this period, he advanced his vocations and became renowned for his achievements as an astronomer, philosopher, and physician—even being appointed to serve as personal physician to Saladin of the Ayyubid Sultanate.
In Their Own Words (5)
There is one [disease] which is widespread, and from which men rarely escape. This disease varies in degree in different men … I refer to this: that every person thinks his mind … more clever and more learned than it is … I have found that this disease has attacked many an intelligent person … They … express themselves [not only] upon the science with which they are familiar, but upon other sciences about which they know nothing … If met with applause … so does the disease itself become aggravated.
Aphorisms. Quoted in Bulletin of the History of Medicine, Vol. 3 (1935), p. 555 , 1935
An artisan busies himself with his work for three hours each day and spends nine hours in study.
Treatise 3: “The Study of the Torah,” Chapter 1, Section 12, H. Russell, trans. (1983), p. 52 , 1180
Thus they shall not miss this particular branch of the many branches of the Law and will have no need to roam and ramble about in other books in search of information on matters set forth in this treatise.
Book 3 (Sefer Zemanim "Times"), Treatise 8 (Kiddush HaChodesh "Sanctification of the New Moon"), closing words , 1180
We are obligated to be more scrupulous in fulfilling the commandment of charity than any other positive commandment because charity is the sign of a righteous man.
As quoted in A Maimonides Reader (1972) by Isadore Twersky, p. 135. A footnote on this page states : tzedekah is translated as both "righteousness" and "charity". , 1972
For it is said, "You shall strengthen the stranger and the dweller in your midst and live with him," that is to say, strengthen him until he needs no longer fall upon the mercy of the community or be in need.
Book 7 (Sefer Zera'im "Seeds"), Treatise 2 (Mattenot Aniyiim "Laws of obligatory gifts to the poor"), Chapter (Perek) 10, Halacha 7 (Translated by Jonathan J. Baker.) , 1180
Timeline
The story of Maimonides, told in moments.
Born Moshe ben Maimon in Cordoba, Andalusia. His father was a judge and scholar. The Almohad invasion in 1148 forces his family to flee. They wander for years across North Africa. He's a refugee before he's a philosopher.
Completes his Commentary on the Mishnah after ten years of work. Written in Arabic, in exile. It includes the Thirteen Principles of Faith, which become the closest thing Judaism has to a formal creed.
Finishes the Mishneh Torah, a 14-volume legal code covering all of Jewish law. He writes it in clear Hebrew, organized so any reader can find the answer to any religious question. No one had attempted this before. Scholars immediately start arguing about it.
Publishes The Guide for the Perplexed, reconciling Aristotelian philosophy with Jewish theology. It's addressed to a single student. It shakes the foundations of three religions. Thomas Aquinas reads it and borrows from it. Some rabbis try to ban it.
Dies in Fustat, Egypt. He'd spent his last decades as physician to the sultan and leader of the Egyptian Jewish community. Buried in Tiberias. His tombstone reads: "From Moses to Moses, there arose none like Moses."
More from the High Medieval
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Maimonides's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.