Moses Maimonides

Table of Contents What is it? Context Purpose Audience Contents Book One (Moreh Nevukhim) Book 2 Book III Impact Moses Maimonides Series What is it? Guide for the Perplexed was an attempt to reconcile secular theology and Jewish moral law (Halachah) Context Maimonides was raised learning Jewish ethics, as well secular (non-religious) philosophy and theology In the 12th century, secular theology was based on the teachings of Aristotle Some Greek guy, he’s not important

Table of Contents What is it? Purpose Audience: Contents Quotes Impact Moses Maimonides Series What is it? Codification of Jewish Law Grouping/re-organising of the Mitvot by category Purpose To make Jewish law more accessible Language: Hebrew Audience: Rabbis Scholars Talmudists Jewish leaders Contents Not written for everyday Jews: designed for religious leaders to easily disseminate information to the wider community Seen as innovative because it did not follow the order of the TaNaKh Categorised in order to make it relevant and applicable for intended audience For example, the Sefer Nashim (Book of Women) contains moral laws about marriage, divorce and family law 14 Volumes (books) IMPACT: By improving access to and understanding of the Mitzvot, Jews were more able to apply the Mitzvot Quotes "

Table of Contents What is it? Context Purpose Audience Contents Quotes Impact Moses Maimonides Series What is it? A comprehensive commentary on each discussion in the Mishnah Summarises Talmudic discussions Context Necessary for Jews to understand the Mishnah in an Islam-dominated world, and to understand Halachah and the Mishnah Purpose To assist Diaspora Jews in understanding the Written law of Judaism Language: Arabic Audience Diaspora Jews and everyday Adherents Contents Maimonides believed that it was necessary for everyday Jewish adherents to understand the Mishnah in order to understand the Halachah Written in Arabic to assist Jews living in an Islamic-dominated world Summarised the Talmudic discussions Clarified the final Halachic decisions within the Mishnah Structured as a TL;DR, followed by a lengthier explanation EFFECT: Allowed for a more practical application of Jewish Law Quotes "

Table of Contents Context Background Historical, Religious and Social Context Moses Maimonides Series Context Background Born in 1136 Sephardi Jew (Jew from Spain) Father was a Judge and was well-versed in the Torah Maimonides was taught the Jewish religion, as well as science and secular philosophy, by his father These areas of study dominated his life Historical, Religious and Social Context Exiled from Spain in 1148 to Fustat, Egypt (near Cairo) Brother traded precious stones after his father’s passing Brother was lost at sea, along with a large portion of the family fortune Appointed Chief Rabbi of Egypt in around 1171 Appointed as the Royal Physician at the Court of the Sultan in 1183 Responsible for the health of Grand Vizier Alfadel, as well as other members of the royal family Passed away in 1204 at the age of 69 Laid to rest in Tiberias, North Israel Moses Maimonides Series Commentary on the Mishnah (1168) Mishneh Torah (1170-1180) Guide for the Perplexed (1190)