B"H
Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon (Maimonides), known by his acronym "Rambam," is one of the most distinguished and revered Jewish leaders of all time. To truly define his unique personality would be a most daring task, if at all possible. As a leading authority within Jewish law, an influential philosopher of the medieval age, profound scientist, famed physician, and extraordinary leader of rare capabilities, there is hardly an area of life, Jewish or secular, that Rambam does not address in his many writings. In the present day, the study of his writings has been reinvigorated by the call of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who initiated the daily study of the Rambam’s monumental Mishneh Torah, which has been adopted by tens of thousands across the globe. The following essay contains brief points from the story of his life and some of his major accomplishments. It is not intended to offer an all-encompassing depiction of the subjects discussed herein, but merely a small glimpse into the life and works of Rambam. It is our hope that the following lines will inspire readers to learn from the life of this great Jewish luminary.
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Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch © Copyright to Merkos suite 302 2012 • 5772 Graphics by: y.w. designgraphic
A monument to Rambam in Cordova
Early Childhood A learning-disabled child with a tragic birth becomes a child prodigy who glorifies his respected lineage. >>> The Development of a Leader •
Rambam (Maimonides) was born in Cordova, Spain, on the 14th of Nissan (Passover Eve) in the year 4895 (1135 C.E.).
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Tragically, his mother passed away during his birth, and Rambam was raised and educated by his father, Rabbi Maimon, Cordova’s leading rabbinical authority.
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His family was born of distinguished rabbinic ancestry, dating back to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, compiler of the Mishnah, and a descendant of King David.
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According to one legend, Rambam initially had only minimal intellectual capabilities, a reality his father refused to accept. The boy cried in the synagogue over his plight, after which he was miraculously gifted with extraordinary abilities.
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Subsequently, Rambam traveled from his hometown to study with the renowned sage, Rabbi Yosef ibn Migash, where, with diligence, he quickly acquired vast Torah knowledge.
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Upon returning home to Cordova, he was tutored by his esteemed father, who further developed his Torah knowledge, as well as instilling in him pure love and affection for G-d.
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In addition to Torah knowledge, Rambam also studied many secular subjects including mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and medicine.
Rambam's home in Fez, Morocco
Wanderings Islamic extremism, cruel persecution, and terrible hunger created an unspeakable ordeal of suffering and wandering. >>> From Spain to Morocco to Eretz Yisrael •
When Rambam turned thirteen, the Almohads conquered Cordova and attempted to force conversion to Islam upon its Jewish inhabitants.
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Unwilling to compromise on their Judaism, the family fled and wandered from city to city in Christian Spain.
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At the age of 24, Rambam settled along with his family in the city of Fez, Morocco, where a community had been established by a number of Jewish refugees who had managed to escape the threat posed by the Almohad extremists.
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For the next five years he stood at his father's side in assisting the Jewish refugees of Fez, uplifting their downtrodden spirits and strengthening their faith.
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Rambam was later imprisoned with his entire family for speaking critically of Islam. However, in an ironic twist of fate, they were set free with the help of a Moslem poet who held Rambam in high esteem.
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Subject to constant danger, the family was again compelled to flee; this time heading by ship to the Holy Land, where they landed at the port city of Acre (Akko).
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After a hunger-stricken six months in the Land of Israel, during which Rambam managed to visit the holy sites of Jerusalem and Hebron, he made his way to Egypt.
The Rambam's shul in Cairo, Egypt
Egypt Even a series of tragedies was unable to dim the light of the Rambam's Torah and leadership. >>> Torah and Greatness •
In a devastating sequence of tragedies, Rambam’s illustrious father, Rabbi Maimon, passed away before the family reached Egypt, shortly followed by Rambam’s own wife and two of his children.
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Rambam and his brother David came together in agreement; Rambam would study Torah, providing for their spiritual welfare, while David - who managed a diamond business - would shoulder the financial burden.
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His brother's life ended abruptly in yet another tragedy. While on a business trip, David drowned at sea, along with much of the family's wealth.
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Bereft of familial support, and newly burdened with the financial responsibility of the two families, Rambam fell ill, remaining bedridden for an entire year.
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Upon recovery, Rambam employed his medical skills as a source of income, refusing to make use of his profound Torah knowledge for personal benefit.
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Enjoying great success, Rambam was soon appointed by Sultan Salah-ADin of Egypt to be his personal physician. Most of his day was now spent serving in the royal court and receiving patients - Jew and non-Jew alike.
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However, his success fostered much envy and resentment among the local Gentile doctors, their campaign of harassment and libels compelling him into hiding.
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Notwithstanding the hardships, Rambam’s time in Egypt proved most productive, authoring his most prominent works and gaining worldwide fame.
A collection of coins minted in Rambam's honor
Leadership Fatherly care for his nation, and deep concern for the pains of exile are combined in one revered leader. >>> Leadership that Spanned the Globe •
A natural leader, Rambam quickly rose to become the foremost leader of the Jewish community in Egypt as well as a prominent figure on the Jewish world scene.
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Throughout his years of leadership, Rambam fiercely defended the Jewish religion from both internal and external detractors, most notably, his struggle with the Karaites who sought to undermine basic Jewish tradition and belief.
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Community leaders from around the world turned to him with difficulties and questions in all fields, relying on his clear and lucid advice for direction.
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After suffering a steep spiritual and emotional decline as a result of the oppression of their Islamic neighbors, as well as the rise and fall of a false Messiah, the Jewish community of Yemen found particular solace in Rambam's sensitive advice and direction.
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One of Rambam's most famous letters is "Iggeres Teiman" (The Letter to Yemen), in which he bolsters their spirits and strengthens their belief in spite of the many hardships facing them.
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The Jews of Yemen considered him their preeminent spiritual leader, even adding a special reference to him in the Kaddish prayer.
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Rambam's influence spread rapidly, gaining international fame even among the non-Jewish world. Countries where he resided have erected statues and minted coins bearing his image in tribute to his legacy.
The gate at the entrance to Rambam's grave in Tiberias
Rambam's Passing The loss of an individual affects many, but his heritage lives on. >>> An Eternal Heritage •
On the 20 Teves 4965 (1204 C.E.), in Cairo, Egypt, Rambam passed away at the age of 69.
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His passing was mourned worldwide - by Jews and non-Jews alike. The Moslem community in Egypt proclaimed three-days of mourning to commemorate his passing.
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During his final days, he wrote a will to his only living son, Rabbi Avraham, stressing the importance of kindness and respect.
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Before his passing, Rambam requested that his body be brought to the Holy Land for burial. He was temporarily interred in Egypt due to a raging epidemic, until Rabbi Avraham could finally bring his father's coffin to the Land of Israel.
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According to legend, the carriers of the coffin could not determine the fitting place for Rambam's burial, and so allowed a camel to carry the coffin freely, burying the coffin at the camel's final stop.
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Rambam was interred in the holy city of Tiberius, where thousands visit each year. The annual celebration upon completing the Mishneh Torah study cycle is commemorated at the gravesite.
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The Rambam’s legacy was inscribed upon his tombstone: "From Moses [Ben Amram] until Moses [Ben Maimon], there arose none like Moses."
Various editions of the Rambam's writings
Reflections Extraordinary creativity in such disparate fields is rare to be found in one person. >>> Genius of Remarkable Dimension •
Rambam completed his first work at age 16, and, during his lifetime, authored more than 25 works spanning Talmudic commentary, Jewish law, philosophy, and medicine.
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His three primary works are the Commentary on the Mishnah, Mishneh Torah, and the Moreh Nevuchim (The Guide for the Perplexed).
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His magnum opus is the Mishneh Torah - also known as the "Yad HaChazaka", or simply, "The Rambam."
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The first of its kind, Mishneh Torah is an organized and systematic summary of all of Jewish law. Although similar works were later penned, the Mishneh Torah remains unique as it incorporates those aspects of Halacha pertaining to the Temple period as well.
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As a preface to this work, Rambam compiled the Sefer Hamitzvos, in which he delineates the 613 Biblical commandments, along with the principles used to enumerate them.
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Although the authority of the Mishneh Torah was initially greeted with controversy, it has since earned its place as one of the three basic authorities of the Jewish legal system - along with the works of the Rosh and Rif.
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The last of his written works was the Moreh Nevuchim (The Guide to the Perplexed), a philosophical composition on Jewish thought, in which Rambam resolves perceived contradictions between the philosophy of his time and the Torah.
Worldwide Jewish
Unity
In the spring of 1984, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, called for an innovative addition to the daily study schedule of every Jewish man, woman, and child, encouraging the study of Rambam’s compendium of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah.
The Rebbe established a three track system: • 3 Chapters per day: In this cycle, the Mishneh Torah is completed within a year. • 1 Chapter per day: Intended for those who lack the time to study three chapters, the program of one chapter per day completes the Mishneh Torah in less than three years. • Sefer HaMitzvot: For those lacking the necessary background to study the Mishneh Torah, the Rebbe suggested a daily study schedule of Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot (Book of Commandments). This program follows the topics studied in the 3 Chapter cycle and is completed yearly.
“One of the principal elements in the study of Rambam is the unification of Jewry.� The Rebbe, as quoted by the New York Times
In a talk on April 28, 1984, the Rebbe explained that the simultaneous study of identical topics will unite World Jewry. The Rebbe added that this medium of study will generate friendly yet scholarly debate among the participants, and this discussion will further serve to bring Jews closer to each other, thereby facilitating Jewish unity through Torah study.
To join the Rambam study cycle visit:
www.chabad.org