The State of Israel will be marking 800 years since the death of Maimonides, known as the Rambam, with an official ceremony this afternoon. The special Knesset session will open at 5:30 in the presence of President Moshe Katzav and his wife, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, Cabinet ministers, Knesset Members, and other invited guests.
The Rambam (1135-1204) was a religious scholar, physician, philosopher and writer. Born in Cordoba, Spain, he soon fled to Morocco after the Almohads conquered the area. He later lived in Morocco, the Land of Israel, and Egypt, where he served as Sultan Saladin's doctor. One of the most influential leaders and scholars in the history of the Jewish people, he wrote prolifically, including most notably Mishneh Torah, a comprehensive code of Jewish Law; a commentary on the Mishna; and Guide for the Perplexed, on Jewish philosophy. His incredible stature is best summed up in the popular saying, "From Moshe [the Biblical Moses] to Moshe [Rambam], there arose none like Moshe."
The Rambam (1135-1204) was a religious scholar, physician, philosopher and writer. Born in Cordoba, Spain, he soon fled to Morocco after the Almohads conquered the area. He later lived in Morocco, the Land of Israel, and Egypt, where he served as Sultan Saladin's doctor. One of the most influential leaders and scholars in the history of the Jewish people, he wrote prolifically, including most notably Mishneh Torah, a comprehensive code of Jewish Law; a commentary on the Mishna; and Guide for the Perplexed, on Jewish philosophy. His incredible stature is best summed up in the popular saying, "From Moshe [the Biblical Moses] to Moshe [Rambam], there arose none like Moshe."