MAIMONIDES, MOSES

born March 30, 1135, Crdoba died Dec. 13, 1204, Egypt original name Moses Ben Maimon, also called Rambam, Arabic name Abu 'Imran Musa ibn Maymun ibn 'Ubayd Allah Jewish philosopher, jurist, and physician, the foremost intellectual figure of medieval Judaism. His first major work, begun at age 23 and completed 10 years later, was a commentary on the Mishna, the collected Jewish oral laws. A monumental code of Jewish law followed in Hebrew, The Guide for the Perplexed in Arabic, and numerous other works, many of major importance. His contributions in religion, philosophy, and medicine have influenced Jewish and non-Jewish scholars alike. Additional reading Marvin Fox, Interpreting Maimonides (1990), treats all aspects of his life and thought. Fred Rosner and Samuel S. Kottek (eds.), Moses Maimonides: Physician, Scientist, and Philosopher (1993), collects essays on his contributions to these disciplines. Isadore Twersky, Introduction to the Code of Maimonides (Mishneh Torah) (1980), is an extensive analysis of his philosophy and his ideas on religious law. Oliver Leaman, Moses Maimonides (1990), provides an introduction to the themes of The Guide for the Perplexed.