Who was Maimonides?

Answer

Moses Ben Maimon (1138—1204) is known as Maimonides to English speakers and as Rambam to Hebrew speakers. He was a medieval Jewish philosopher. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy refers to him as the “greatest Jewish philosopher of the Medieval Period” (source, accessed 10/27/2020). Maimonides’ philosophy was notably Aristotelian.

Maimonides’ 14-volume work, the Mishneh Torah (“Second to the Torah”), provides a detailed account of medieval Jewish observance. It aimed to be a comprehensive record of the oral law that elucidated and elaborated on the written law of Scripture. Menachem Kellner, Ph.D., from the University of Haifa and the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, suggests that without Maimonides’ work, it would be impossible to discuss “orthodox” Judaism today (“From Moses to Moses,” published 10/31/2010, Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal online, accessed 10/27/2020). The title of his article, “From Moses to Moses,” reflects the immense respect accorded to Maimonides as a lawgiver.

In his Guide of the Perplexed, Maimonides endeavors to harmonize the Torah with Greek philosophy. The Mishneh Torah and his Guide are regarded as his most significant and influential works.

Maimonides also served as a physician (at one point, in the court of the sultan Saladin). Dr. Kellner suggests that Maimonides legitimized a scientific perspective within the Jewish community. Throughout history, Judaism has embraced mysticism (e.g., Kabbalah), but it has also nurtured numerous individuals in the fields of science and medicine.

Much of Maimonides’ practical advice remains relevant today. Here are some examples of his wisdom:

• “A person will never become impoverished from giving charity” (Matnot Aniyim, 2).

• “Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it” (Guide of the Perplexed, 1:34).

• “The world disagrees with it.”

• “The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.”

• “Silence is the maturation of wisdom.”

• “Lose with truth and right rather than gain with falsehood and wrong.”

• “A wise man is a greater asset to a nation than a king.”

• “In finances, be strict with yourself, generous with others.”

• “The physician should not treat the disease but the patient who is suffering from it.”

Maimonides’ writing and thinking influenced Jewish communities of his time, and his influence is still felt. Many of his writings are readily available online today. His work may be beneficial to Christians seeking to understand Jewish philosophy and the ideas that have shaped Judaism. However, it is essential to recognize that Maimonides’ work leans more towards systematic theology than biblical exegesis.