Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1135-1204) was a towering figure in medieval Jewish history, and continues to cast a long shadow into the Jewish present. Nevertheless, the work of the philosopher-physician endured significant controversy, including an especially sad episode in which Jews actually consigned his works to the flames.
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I listened to your lecture in trying to help my 5th grade daughter do a report on Maimonides. I found you very interesting and was very happy to come across your video. Thank you
Glad you found the lecture useful! Wishing your daughter academic success.
HMA
This lecture made me come to the conclusion that the Rambam’s life was filled with all the stereotypical features of a Jew in galus. The Rambam fled many times from his country, became a professional, joined in politics and studied a great deal of Torah. The Rambam had to flea Spain for his spiritual and physical life at a very young age. The Almohads had him flea from several other countries later in his life. This gave him the opportunity to spend many hours camping far out in remote areas, where he could study Torah intensely. His profound understanding and learning of the Talmud, gave him insight into the complex world of medicine, which later helped him serve as the royal physician for the Egyptian royal family. His intense study of Torah also led him to his greatest accomplishments; the writing of his many books. Thus, the Rambam’s life is the epitome of a Jew in exile.
It is a good thing I have to watch your videos on my Kindle Fire, because I ask lots of questions and so you would have to put Rambam’s view on anger to the test. 😀
Seriously, I do have a few questions that I would like to ask about suggestions for books to learn more about Jewish history and my favorite Rabbis. A few books you already mentioned ( like the one you quoted from during your Hillel the Elder lecture and the one by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin on Hillel) are at the topic of my list. I read Rabbi Telushkin’s book on Jewish Literacy a few years ago, which led me to read To Be A Jew by Rabbi Hayim H. Donin, but your lectures have piqued my interest on some specific topics. Is there an email address that I can send you a few not to hard questions about booksuggestions? Or, would you prefer that I ask them in this section? May you and your family be in good health.
Philip Voerding