Maimonides was a 12th century Spanish-Jewish philosopher and physician. He is considered one of the most influential medieval thinkers of the Jewish tradition. His work is particularly known for its careful compilation of the oral law, his philosophical works including The Guide for the Perplexed, and his writings on astronomy and medicine.
Philosopher was born in Cordoba, Spain (in 1135) and studied at home with private tutors. When he was 13 years old, his family moved to Fez (Morocco), where he continued his studies with private tutors until he was 23 years old. He then returned to Spain where he lived for several years before moving to Egypt in 1168 where he became a physician to Saladin’s son Al-Afdal.
In 1170 Maimonides moved back to Fostat (Old Cairo) where he was appointed as a judge in Egypt by Saladin’s son Al-Afdal who also made him his personal physician. Maimonides died on December 12th 1204 at the age of 64 in Fostat (Old Cairo).
Maimonides wrote many books during his lifetime including The Guide for the Perplexed (1190) which helped explain difficult Jewish concepts in simple terms making them accessible to educated non-Jews as well as Jews; Mishneh Torah (1198) which established laws for daily life such as Shabbat observance; Mishneh Torah Commentary (1205) which explained each section of Mishneh Torah.
